(SPS) — Depending on the route, there are roughly 1,700 miles between Sapulpa, Oklahoma and Stockton, California.
More specifically, that’s the distance from Sapulpa High School to Lowell Joerg’s residence.
Mr. Joerg is a 91-year-old retiree who takes joy in the “re-distribution of happiness.” It’s something he’s been doing for a long time.
A Google search of his name turns up story after story about Mr. Joerg returning a small piece of history to its rightful place. From Kandiyohi County, Minnesota to Mansfield City Schools in Ohio to Charleston, Illinois, the stories are aplenty.
Sapulpa Public Schools can now be added to that Google results library of Mr. Joerg’s favorite pastime.
In a letter to our Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Joerg wrote that he “found a circa 1930 picture card showing your beautiful school at the time.” Along with the letter, was a postcard with a picture of the original high school building. Considering the age of the postcard, it is in great condition.
“It’s an old time classic for sure so I said to myself, ‘By golly, I think I’ll send it home where it can be appreciated.’ Our heritage is important to us all and should be preserved,” he wrote.
The high school depicted in the photo is of the school that was built in 1918 near the 900 block of E. Dewey. According to the Sapulpa Historical Society, the building was deemed unsafe and torn down in 1969 – eight years after the current high school was opened. Today, you’ll find Guts Church Sapulpa and Dollar General where the original high school once stood.
“I cannot begin to express how your letter and postcard brightened our day,” Superintendent Rob Armstrong wrote in a return letter to Mr. Joerg. “While our first semester of classes comes to an end and we enter into our Winter Break your kindness demonstrates the real reason for the season and we truly appreciate that you took the time to send us a postcard with such kind remarks.”
Mr. Joerg said he gave $6 for the postcard at an antique store and if we wanted it for $7 or $8, “why that’s sure o.k.”
Since this piece of Sapulpa’s history has left California, Mr. Armstrong thought it was fitting to send a piece of its present back to the west coast.
“Enclosed you will find a school spirit shirt, that we hope you will enjoy as a small gift from us that will remind you of our friendship, and a small gratuity for sending us the postcard of our original high school,” Mr. Armstrong wrote.
“The world is a better place with people like you looking out for it and your thoughtfulness in sending this postcard to us demonstrates that. Thank you and may you have a wonderful holiday season and blessed 2020.”
