1911!
By Franci Hart
The Rotary Club of Oklahoma City became the 29th Rotary Club October 7, 1911. Were there other events of import that year? Well, let’s see.
The population of Oklahoma City was 64,000, a 500% increase from 1898. Oklahoma City’s first city charter was approved in 1911, as was the opening of the first airport.
The Supreme Court ruled that the clause in the Enabling Act that established Guthrie as the state capital was unconstitutional, ending all hopes of Guthrie ever remaining the capital. The Enabling Act of 1906 empowered the people of Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory to come together to write at state constitution. One clause of this act said that the capital would remain in Guthrie until 1913. We all know the rest of that story.
In National news was the Triangle Shirt fire in New York City that killed 146 garment workers, all of them women, many of them children. The first Hollywood movie studio was established by the Nestor Motion Picture Company. The House of Representatives passed Joint Resolution 39 proposing direct election of US Senators. And, the first Indianapolis 500 mile auto race was held.
There were ads in the local Oklahoma City newspaper stating “Girls Wanted!” Pioneer Telephone and Telegraph needed phone operators.
The Milller’s ad stated “Saturday Night Offerings that Nobody Makes.” Located at the corner of Grand and Harvey, some of the real savings included: ladies’ Swiss ribbed union suits for 59cents; linen parasols for $1.39; 3000 yards of embroidrey for 25cents; child’s knit under ware 25cents; 10 dozen men’s dress shirts 89cents and fur hats for $2.35
Not to be outdone, Kerr’s Dry Goods also had a Saturday night sale. It included dresses for $1.89, vests for 15cents and cluster puffs for 39cents. I’ll be honest, I had to look up what a cluster puff was. It is literally a puff of hair that ladies would use to make their large hairstyles.
In the 114 years of our club’s existence, members have seen numerous changes. I cannot wait to see what comes next.
Franci, thanks for the look back!