Much love has blossomed beneath the star constellation known as The Big Dipper. And likewise, many a relationship at hot dog stands, burger joints and malt shops along the famed Route 66.
It seems it’s in the stars.
So it was with Kay Tharp Johnston. Her mom and dad, Doc and Vernie Tharp, operated The Big Dipper restaurant into the late 1950s before it was sold and then closed a short time later. Today the lot is occupied by Sonic.
The Tharps had moved to Sapulpa from Colorado in 1944 so that Doc could join his brothers Garland and Fred, in the Tharp Dairy operation. Kay was four. Doc Tharp would later buy out his two brothers’ interest. In 1948 he sold the dairy to Hawks Dairy, and decided to build a drive-in restaurant on the southeast corner of Dewey and Maple.
It was at that site one evening as the they contemplated what to name the place, someone looked up and noted the bright stars making up the constellation known as The Big Dipper.
“Why not name it that,” they asked. The name stuck and the restaurant became a popular eating spot and hangout.
Kay and her sister Carol Tharp McClure of Owasso basically grew up at The Big Dipper where they worked before and after school each day and on Saturdays. Kay Berryhill Donathan and other area residents also worked there when they were teens. The drive-in was opened until 10 p.m. most nights and those with homework, of course, had to take care of school.
“Each night as many as two gallons of chopped onions had to be prepared for the next day’s cony dogs and burgers,” Kay said.
The sisters also recall two U-shaped seating arrangements that seated 10 people each.
“And I remember all those kids from nearby Washington School,” Kay said.
Those were younger than the hot-rodders and cruisers who also stopped for a burger or malt — and one young man in his 1955 Chevy who came regularly to see Kay.
There was a juke box loaded with the latest 45 rpm record hits (today’s golden oldie classics, for sure) in which a nickel bought you a single song or six for a quarter.
A rack with loaves of fresh bread and pastries from Sapulpa’s Tasty Pastry could be seen through the glass. The bakery on Main Street (where Down’s Law Office is today) also furnished the buns for the dogs and burgers and sweet pastries.
“Brownies were really popular,” Kay recalls. “And rum cake.”
Washington School’s elementary students were in grades 1-8. Families, locals and travelers also came to the drive-in — one of several along the section of Route 66 through Sapulpa. The Dipper did not feature curb service. Tharp got his ice cream mix from Hawk’s and made some of his own favorites.
“Dad would have been the Braum’s if he had stayed with it,” Kay said.
Doc sold the restaurant in 1957. He dealt with Nash and Studebaker sales for a time and then opened a radiator shop.
“Seems like it was a 55 Chevy that I had then,” said Sam Johnston. “My first car was a 1949 Ford.”
At any rate, it was to The Big Dipper that he came to court and win the heart of his future bride.
Sam graduated Sapulpa High School in 1958, Kay in 1959. On June 12 they will mark 57 years of marriage. They have 10 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Sam is a life-time Creek Countian. He was born in 1939 at old City Hospital in Sapulpa and was one of the countless babies delivered by Dr. Longmier. After graduation, Sam went to auction school and was a local auctioneer for 25 years. His family owned the Mid-America Horse Sales at Bristow. Today it is Mid-American Stockyards. The fourth generation business is run by his sister, Helen Marie Varner and her husband Jerry and family.
Today Sam and Kay work side-by-side at Farmers Feed Store, 121 N. Main. They live a little south of town on Hickory Street. Sam is up every morning between 4:30 and 5:10. They’re on the road by 7:30 and opened for business at 8.
Farmers Feed has much more than feed — much more — supplements, wormers and vaccinations for animals of all kinds including pets, livestock and wildlife, even exotic. There’s livestock and farm equipment, trailers, sprayers, panels; stuff for lawns, gardens and pastures, bulk vegetable seed, grass seed, fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides and flower and vegetable plants. There’s gifts and apparel, including ladies clothes, boots, jewelry, purses, candles, home décor and always a friendly atmosphere. It utilizes several blocks on both sides of Main and is one of the busiest places in Sapulpa.
The Johnstons have owned the business since 1972. All three children — a daughter and two sons, Debbie Sivadon, Curt Johnston and Todd Johnston joined them in the business. Todd passed after battling cancer. A grandson, Dallas (son of Curt) makes Farmers Feed a third generation business.
