Museum of the Western Prairie

05/30/2026

05/28/2026

05/27/2026

In 1988, the Museum of the Western Prairie identified ninety-one Living Legends residing in our community and presented their stories on KWHW radio. We believe that these are people we should still be celebrating and think you will agree with us. Watch for Living Legend posts and join the celebration by adding to the stories of the legendary individuals in the Comments section of our posts. Today’s post about Ruth Ferris was written in 1988 by Loweta Chesser, the first curator of the Museum of the Western Prairie.
Our community really reaped the benefits from the talents of Ruth Ferris – Altus educator and public relations person who retired from the Altus Schools in 1984.
Mrs. Ferris, a native of Eldorado, received her B. A. and M. A. Degrees from O.U. During the 1930s, she was a reporter for the Daily Oklahoman and what is now KWTV where she was the first woman newscaster in the world. Later she served as public relations director for President George Cross at O.U.
Mrs. Ferris returned to Altus when her husband, Welson, became judge of the district for 39 years.
She always took a very active part in cultural and community affairs of our county. She began, in 1955, her service as public relations director, journalism, and yearbook teacher, as well as, instructional TV sponsor with Altus Schools. Neither illness nor snowstorms forced her to miss a deadline or a day out of school. She worked far into the night daily preparing scripts and class assignments for her school.
Ruth received many honors through the years, including Oklahoma Press Women’s Club as “Woman of the Year.” She served on the Governor’s Advisory Committee on the Status of Women in 1984.
Ruth Ferris was loved, respected, and appreciated in Oklahoma.
The first photograph, circa 1965, shows Mrs. Ferris standing on the far left of a group of students from one of her journalism/yearbook classes.
The second photograph, circa 1966, is of Ruth Ferris inserting a flash bulb into a large camera.
The last photograph, circa 1986, shows Phil Carson, Ruth Ferris, Ruth Blevins, John McLeod Jr., and Dr. Alva Hill at the Kiwanis Club presentation of the “Mother of the Year” awards.

05/20/2026

This appears to be a reprint requested by a Mrs. Chas Carter of Blair ca. 1930.

Do you recognize this man? Let us know in the comments below or shoot us a message! And please like and share!

📸🌟You can see more of the Conwell Studio Collection at The Gateway to Oklahoma: https://tinyurl.com/Conwell-Studio 🌟📸

~Museum of the Western Prairie

05/19/2026

It’s World Family Doctor Day!
Family doctors help maintain the health of their local families, which in turn allows their communities to thrive.
Please enjoy these photographs of Southwest Oklahoma doctors!
The first photograph, circa 1920 is of Dr. Emory Crow, a well-known, early day doctor in the Olustee area.
The second photograph, circa 1920, shows a group of students in front of the Olustee school with Dr. Emory Crow, who was also president of the Olustee School Board.
The third photograph is of a doctor’s bag, circa 1902, that was used by Dr. Geroge A. Comp. Dr. Comp made house visits by walking to his patients until his buggy arrived and he delivered 1,341 babies before his retirement in 1959.
The fourth photograph, circa 1925, shows Dr. G. G. Spears, on the left, and another man in Dr. Spears’ office in the Gosselin building.
The fifth photograph, circa 1930, is of Dr. E. A. Abernathey, ear and nose doctor.
The sixth photograph shows a medical headlamp, circa 1925, that was worn by a doctor while performing surgery. It was once owned by Dr. E. A. Abernathy.
The seventh photograph, circa 1943, is of Lt. Harold Abernethy when he was Medical Corps Naval Officer in World War II. After his discharge, he opened a private practice in Altus.
The eighth photograph, circa 1965, shows pioneer doctor, Dr. E. W. Mabry, who was also active in Kiwanis Club and Church of Christ.
The ninth photograph is of a marble topped apothecary balance doctor’s scale, circa 1910.
The last photograph, circa 1985, shows 3 Altus doctors, Dr. Phil Kingery, Dr. Joe Leveritt, and Dr. Tom Shurley.