You only think you know Sapulpa.
Every week we publish stories of Sapulpa's history, recalling both the events at the time, and the nostalgia for days gone by. Dig in and learn more about what the Sapulpa of yesteryear was like.
Proudly brought to you by the Sapulpa Historical Society Museum
This Week in Sapulpa History – First Lady Tours Oklahoma
This week in history, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt made a trip visit to Creek County as part of a nationwide tour. Read what she said about Bristow, Sapulpa and more inside.
March 18, 2024This Week in Sapulpa History: What Happened This Week 100 Years Ago?
Many things took place in Sapulpa 100 years ago this week; School attendance and students made the news, the Sapulpa Junior Chamber of Commerce announces a huge event, and something strange happened to the post office. These headlines kept a highlight of what was going on in the city.
March 13, 2024This Week in Sapulpa History: What do The Texas Playboys, Sapulpa, and “Faded Love” Have in Common?
Rachel Whitney, Curator, Sapulpa Historical Museum What does the western band the Texas Playboys, the town of Sapulpa, and the song “Faded Love” have in common? Bob Wills. “Bob Wills shared an American art form known as Western swing. He was a visionary, fiddler, composer, bandleader, and showman. His impact was personal. People met and…
March 6, 2024This Week in Sapulpa History: The Bovaird Supply Company comes to Sapulpa
In the beginning of Sapulpa's oil boom, Sapulpa’s oil supply houses were nonexistent, whereas Tulsa had seven supply houses. Then came Bovaird.
March 1, 2024This Week in Sapulpa History: A Call Box for Safety
Before telephones were widely available in Sapulpa, the city installed fireboxes all around the community for citizens to alert the fire department.
February 18, 2024This Week in Sapulpa History: Sapulpa’s Y.M.C.A. and Y.W.C.A.
Since the Village People came out with that catchy tune in 1978, everyone knows about the YMCA. This week in 1905, Sapulpa's YMCA opened to great fanfare.
February 14, 2024
Do you remember the TeePee Drive-In?
As the TeePee shows new signs of life, plenty will remember what it was like during its heyday as the drive-in movie experience was taking the world by storm.
Do You Remember…Shibley’s Townhouse Grill?
In 1962, K. and Louise Shibley opened the Town House Grill at 317 South Main Street. They started out on a meager budget and their first cash register was a cigar box.
Do You Remember…slot car racing?
The slot car craze caught on in the U.S., and by the mid-1960s any self-respecting town boasted a slot-car “center,” where kids could bring their cars to race on enormous banked tracks.
Do You Remember…these children’s TV shows?
Don't change that channel...take a look at these memorable children's TV shows, both local and nationwide!
Do You Remember…Warehouse Market?
Before Warehouse Market moved to its last location (before becoming Price Mart), it was in downtown Sapulpa!
Do you remember Wimpy’s Diner?
Whitney “Wimpy” Martin purchased one of the old Sapulpa trolley in 1932 and turned it into one of Sapulpa's legends.
Do You Remember Rainwater Jewelry?
Rainwater Jewelry is probably one of the most familiar bygone businesses in the city of Sapulpa. Read the story of the family that became a household name in the community.
Do You Remember…Don’s Marineland?
At one time, Sapulpa had no public swimming pool. Our “swimming hole” was Don’s Marineland, located northwest of Sapulpa on Sahoma Lake Road. Do you remember it?
Do You Remember Max Meyer?
One of Sapulpa's early entrepreneurs, Max Meyer started with a men's clothing store and became almost a legend.
Do you remember…Hager’s Fancy Fowl Farm?
When he was between 8 to 10 years of age, someone gave him a couple of pigeons. Thus began his ornithological obsession and a world-renowned avian collection.
Do you remember…Williams Sewing Center?
Long ago, sewing machines were so popular that you could run an entire business just on selling and repairing sewing machines.
Do you remember…Tyler’s Furniture?
Many people will remember Tyler's Furniture on Hobson, even though it's been gone for over fifteen years. The business, which got its start in 1945, actually goes back much further than that.