Museum of the Western Prairie

10/22/2026

10/21/2026

Today is Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day!
The Altus Chamber of Commerce officially began in 1908, growing from a commercial club organized by Altus men. The first elected officers of the Chamber were J. G. Adkins, president, R. T. Williams, vice president, and J. C. McClay, secretary, an executive committee was formed and was composed of C. C. Hightower, R. E. Dunlap, Grant Corbin, A. S. J. Shaw, and W. T. Williams.
Please enjoy these photographs of our Chamber of Commerce through the years!
The first photograph, circa 1947, is of Lillie Austin being given a bouquet of roses from Harold Pease, president of the Altus Chamber of Commerce. The photograph also includes Robert Harbison and Robert S. Kerr.
The second photograph, circa 1950, shows 12 men standing in front of livestock pens at an Altus Chamber of Commerce sponsored Junior Livestock Show.
The third photograph, circa 1950, is of Bill Luderson, president of the Altus Chamber of Commerce, giving an award for Victory Home Demonstration to Evva Steves.
The fourth photograph, circa 1950, shows Lee Fry, a former president of the Altus Chamber of Commerce, Ford dealer, and farm machinery man of Altus.
The fifth photograph, circa 1953, is of W. B. Gover, representing the Altus Chamber of Commerce, giving a plaque to Gen. Glynne Jones at the reopening of the Base.
The sixth photograph, circa 1954, shows Mitch Windle, Earl Herron, and Oscar Dobbs, the ticket salesmen for the annual Chamber Banquet.
The seventh photograph, circa 1958, is of the Chamber of Commerce – Altus Industrial Tour Group – Clifford Peterson, Supt. Of Schools, Frank Wimberly, KWHW Radio Station, Hatton McMahan, First National Bank, and Earl Herron, Herron Furniture Co., in the cockpit of a large aircraft.
The eighth photograph, circa 1959, shows the Altus Chamber of Commerce and Altus citizens holding the dedication plaque for the entrance gate of the Altus Air Force Base. The photograph includes Mattye Williams, John Glover, Johnny Diltz, Bennet Wary, W. P. Appleby, Joe Buck, Howard Cotner, Troy Warren, Jack Russell, Walter Hinton, and Bud Adams.
The ninth photograph, circa 1974, is of Holly Lowell Urbanski, of the Altus Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. S. K. Satchell, a well-known Altus artist, decorating the Chamber windows for Christmas.
The last photograph, circa 1985, shows the Executive Board of Chamber of Commerce at an Economic Development Committee Meeting with Jon Kidwell, Ray Holsey, Nelson Doughty, Linda Holland, president, Holly Urbanski executive vice-president, and Jesse Turner.

10/15/2026

Today is International Day of Rural Women!
Rural women became the backbone of rural society and helped shape rural life into what it is today.
Please enjoy these photographs of some of the early rural women of Jackson County and share any stories of the rural women in your life!
The first photograph, circa 1910, is of Thomas Waldroop and Emma Inzer Waldroop with their children, James Waldroop, Virginia Waldroop Forducey, and Vinita Waldroop Ferris.
The second photograph, circa 1910, shows Dolly Harris, Lizzie Watts, and Myrtle Holland Castle, all wearing white dressing and brimmed hats, standing in front of a horse and buggy.
The third photograph is of Joseph Zinn and Eulalia Flynn Zinn in their wedding portrait. Their wedding took at the Baptist Church in Blair, Oklahoma on December 10, 1913.
The fourth photograph, circa 1915, shows Emma Pennington Abernethy, wife of Dr. E. A. Abernethy, holding her daughter Mavah Abernethy Lawrence.
The fifth photograph, circa 1919, is of Hattie Colville Craine, of Elmer, Oklahoma, standing in front of a Model T coupe touring car.
The sixth photograph, circa 1919, shows Ida Stallings Colville with her grandson, Ed Wilson, Jr.
The seventh photograph, circa 1920, is of Adella Minor McMahan, wife of Hatton McMahan, Sr., standing on the steps of the Jackson County Courthouse.
The eighth photograph, circa 1930, shows Lucille Newton, high school teacher with the Holdridge brothers.
The ninth photograph, circa 1940, is of a group of women at a Kiwanis function. Those standing next to the podium are identified as Elma Garner, Co. Home Demonstration agent, Mattye Willimas, secretary of the Altus Chamber of Commerce, Minnie Wyman, and Audine Farley.
The last photograph, circa 1940, shows Estelle and Bill Blair. Estelle managed Jackson County Memorial Hospital for several years.

10/08/2026

Monday night was a wonderful night at the Museum with Hyunsoon Whang and Victoria Stjerna!