| Abner Dalton Bruce 10/03/1976 |
In this 1976 interview, Abner Dalton Bruce (1918-1987) describes his early life in the Pinehill Community outside Bristow Oklahoma including his family’s income from the quail market in Mannford, farming,… |
| Albert 'Kell' Kelly 06/20/2025 |
Albert 'Kell' Kelly talks about his role in saving the Bristow Train Depot. Kell, born in Tulsa on November 21, 1954, shares his family history, including his grandfather Albert Kelly's arrival in Bristow… |
| Anderson Bigpond & Elwood Bigpond 1977 |
In this 1977 interview, Anderson Bigpond and Elwood Bigpond work with the interviewer to pinpoint the names and specific locations of various family burial plots and Indian cemeteries in Creek County,… |
| Annie Slyman 'Mrs. Deeb', Nellie Slyman 'Mrs. Dave' & Edmond 'Tex' Slyman 06/21/1979 |
This 1979 interview discussing Deeb Slyman includes his wife Annie, nephew Tex (Edmond) Slyman and niece Nellie (Mrs. Dave Slyman). They share about the journey from Lebanon and their settlement in Bristow.… |
| Bill Dalpoas & Beth Dalpoas 06/03/2021 |
In this 2021 interview, Bill and Beth Dalpoas share about life in Bristow as young adults. Together, they talk about the organizations they were active in, different businesses, and entertainment during… |
| Bob Moore 10/18/1976 |
In this 1976 interview, Bob Moore discusses working as a tool dresser on oil rigs in the early 1900s in northern Oklahoma at a time prior to electricity, when rigs were built of wood, powered by a steam… |
| Bob Webb 10/20/2020 |
In this 2020 interview, Bob Webb shares about his experience growing up in the Bristow area. He discusses attending high school, meeting his wife Carolyn, and owning his own grocery store. He also shares… |
| Bunny Baker 09/11/2020 |
In this 2020 interview, Bunny Baker shares her experiences growing up in Bristow. She discusses family history, western heritage days, and shares many fun stories from her childhood through young adult… |
| Carolyn Webb 09/14/2020 |
In this 2020 interview, Carolyn Webb shares about her life and involvement during her years of growing up in Bristow. She discusses all of the Main Street businesses and their locations, along with her… |
| Charles Lionel Klock Sr. 06/07/1977 |
In this 1977 interview, Charles Lionel Klock, Sr. (1927-2003) describes his very early childhood memories in the Pinehill Community outside Bristow, Oklahoma including fights with schoolmates, opossum… |
| Charles Nicholson 05/09/2025 |
Charles Nicholson, a longtime Bristow resident and coach, talks about his life and experiences. Born January 12, 1937, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, Charles discusses his parents' backgrounds and his own education… |
| Clarence Boyd Myers 10/13/1976 |
In this 1976 interview, Clarence 'Boyd' Myers (1913-1979) discusses his father’s arrival in the Pinehill Community, his siblings, the Pinehill School and his classmates, early agriculture and cattle, oil… |
| Corwin Henkins 03/16/1990 |
In this 1990 interview, Corwin Henkins (1899-1999) shares his experience of living in Bristow for the first twenty-seven years of his life. He discusses his parents making the run and settling in Bristow,… |
| Curt Gillaspie 06/07/1979 |
In this 1979 interview with Curt Gillaspie, he shares about his family history, bank robberies, Indian relations, statehood, and what it was like to attend Bristow Schools and some mischief he got into.… |
| David Barnett 09/05/2024 |
David Barnett's parents, William Dotson Barnett and Syble Marie Horn Barnett, were sharecroppers. David, the youngest of seven children, attended Bristow schools and worked various jobs, including at List… |
| David Hill & Monica Hill 07/12/2024 |
David and Monica Hill talk about their early life together, their family, their careers and what their life has been like during David’s terms as Principal Chief of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. |
| Dillard 'Doc' Baker 04/13/1993 |
In this 1993 interview, Dillard 'Doc' Baker discusses coming to Bristow in a covered wagon, childhood on the farm, and growing up in Bristow. |
| Dora Wolfe & Fay Freeland 06/27/1979 |
In this 1979 interview with Dora Wolfe, she talks about all the colleges she attended and being a long-time teacher in Bristow Public Schools. Fay Freeland also discusses shopping and traveling to Tulsa… |
| Edith Mills & Lucy Mae Mills |
Edith Mills talks about the Great Depression, the Eleanor Roosevelt visit, and her husband riding the pony express in early Bristow history. |
| Ellis Joseph Shamas & Pearl M. Stoker 06/20/1979 |
In this 1979 interview which includes Ellis Joseph Shamas and Pearl M. Stoker, Ellis talks about his family, Clarke’s clothing, the oil boom and WWI. Pearl Stoker tells about coming to Oklahoma, working… |
| Elsa Ray Self 1976 |
In this 1976 interview, Elsa Ray Self (1901-1984) discusses the first pre-statehood buildings constructed in the Pinehill Community outside of Bristow, Oklahoma, the first teachers at the Pinehill School,… |
| Etta Feild Caves 12/04/1990 |
Etta Feild Caves discusses her move to Oklahoma from Mississippi at age 10, early Bristow days, her family, school, church, early transportation and her community involvement. |
| Floyd Luther Blythe 1976 |
In this 1976 interview, Floyd Luther Blythe (1911-1994) briefly discusses some early family history outside Cato, Missouri. |
| Frank Chapman & Gloria Chapman 11/10/2020 |
In this November 2020 interview, Dr. Frank Chapman and his wife Gloria Chapman discuss how they arrived in Bristow to begin a new medical career, Dr. King, improvements at the local hospital, medical coworkers,… |
| Franklin 'Frank' Ewing Groom 08/06/2024 |
Franklin 'Frank' Ewing Groom, born August 14, 1939, in Chandler, Oklahoma, discussed his life and family history. His parents, Floyd Franklin Groom and Thelma Carmen Burris, owned restaurants in Bristow… |
| George Krumme 05/20/2024 |
Mr. George Krumme shares about his life as a youngster growing up and going to school in the Okemah, Tuskegee and Bristow area. He talks about attending college and joining the service, as well as returning… |
| George Krumme 1976 |
In this brief 1976 interview, George Krumme (1923- ) discusses a 1925 United States Geological Survey geological report covering the 'Bristow Quadrangle' oilfield area and early oilfield companies in the… |
| Gerald Guy Henshaw 06/30/2021 |
In this 2021 interview, Gerald Henshaw shares his experience growing up in Bristow alongside his friend Jim Hurt. He discusses life on a farm, numerous jobs, and together Gerald and Jim share stories from… |
| Harry Britt McCarty 07/16/1986 |
In this 1986 interview, Harry Britt McCarty (1903-1987) discusses the locations of different McCarty family cemeteries in Texas and the names/genealogy and deaths of relatives. |
| Helen Marie Varner 07/18/2024 |
Helen Marie Varner shares about her young life growing up in the country, her beloved family and her 51-year history with the Mid-America Stockyards. |
| Herbert Abraham 05/23/1979 |
In this 1979 interview with Herbert Abraham, he talks in depth about the Lebanese community and his father, Joe Abraham, and his life and contribution to Bristow's history. He also recalls his childhood… |
| Howard Fugate 05/24/1993 |
In this 1993 interview with Howard Fugate, he talks about using wagon teams to haul boilers, oil men, living in Bristow, his children, livery stables, attending school, cotton gins and the drugstores in… |
| Hyatt Chapman 08/02/1979 |
In this 1979 interview with Hyatt Chapman, he and Harlan Krumme discuss his Chandler homestead, the Bristow jail, school life, his grandfather, teaming contractors for the oil industry, Dad Senter, Tol… |
| Ira Lester Jones & Bonnie Muriel (West) Jones 10/18/1976 |
In this 1976 interview, Ira and Bonnie Jones discuss growing up in Pinehill community. |
| Jack Carman & Reba Carman 06/07/1979 |
In this 1979 interview with Jack Carman and his wife, Reba, Jack spoke on the oil boom, growing up around Bristow, working at his dad's Ford Agency and the Depression. He also spoke on his part in building… |
| Jesse 'J.L.' Darnell 1996 |
In this 1996 interview, Jesse 'J.L.' Darnell discusses early Oklahoma Schools and the educational system of the state. |
| Jimmy Allen Hurt 06/30/2021 |
In this 2021 interview, Jim Hurt shares his experience growing up in Bristow alongside his friend Gerald Henshaw. He discusses his upbringing, different jobs, and together Jim and Gerald share stories… |
| John Rossander & Iva Irene (Millhouse) Rossander 10/22/1976 |
In this 1976 interview, John Rossander (1904-1984) and wife Iva Irene (Millhouse) Rossander (1905-1999) discuss their childhood and the early days of their marriage spent in the Pinehill community outside… |
| Jonas Thompson 11/28/1990 |
In this 1990 interview with Jonas Thompson, he talks about moving from Alabama to Muskogee and, finally, to Bristow. He talks about his family, early life and what it was like growing up on a cotton farm.… |
| Joseph Alfred 'Joe' Ihle 07/08/2020 |
In this 2020 interview, Joe Ihle discusses life in Bristow, pecan business, family, and the story the Bristow Hospital. |
| Kate B. Corey 1979 |
In this interview, Kate B. Corey (1897-1996) discusses her family’s experience in Bristow. She moved with her husband in the 1920’s and lived there for the remainder of her life. She describes life during… |
| Kattie Farris 09/06/2024 |
Kattie Farris was born December 13, 1934, in Depew, Oklahoma. Kattie's parents, Sidney Vern Russell and Clara Ellen Gross Russell, were a pumper and a housewife. Kattie had six siblings, including two… |
| Lafayette Johnson 11/28/1990 |
Lafayette Johnson (1936-2002) discusses his early life on a farm east of Bristow, chores, trips to town, social life as a young man, Jim Crow laws, dress fashions, and family disasters and events. |
| Leo Frank Bruce 11/12/1976 |
In this 1976 interview, Leo Frank Bruce (1897-1990), the first white child born in the Pinehill Community outside of Bristow, Oklahoma, describes his life in the area prior to statehood including their… |
| Linda Kay Herman 08/15/2024 |
Linda Kay Herman, born on June 20, 1955, in Bristow, Oklahoma, shared her life story which included spending her childhood at the golf course her dad managed. She recounted her early life, including her… |
| Lloyd Raymond Bruce 10/13/1976 |
In this 1976 interview, Loyd Raymond Bruce (1920-2006) discusses his family’s early settlement of the Pinehill Community outside Bristow, Oklahoma. He describes early crops and cattle shipments on the… |
| LoNetta Dowdy White 07/23/2024 |
LoNetta Dowdy White, born August 24, 1940, in a log cabin near Bristow, Oklahoma, shared her life story. LoNetta's parents, John Buster Dowdy and Ollie Belle Williams Dowdy, farmed and worked in California's… |
| Louis 'Bud' Peters 05/07/2024 |
Louis 'Bud' Peters shares stories beginning from when his family settled in Bristow, to childhood stories with his grandparents and cousins, to various jobs he’s held, and, of course, family life with… |
| Louis Edward Masterson & Virginia (Bruce) Masterson 10/02/1976 |
In this 1976 interview, Louis Edward Masterson (1903-2000) and wife Virginia (Bruce) Masterson (1909-2002) discuss the early settlement of the Pinehill community in Creek County, Oklahoma including the… |
| Lucinda Johnson 02/19/1992 |
In this 1992 interview, Lucinda Johnson talks about her family, where she was born and grew up, how Bristow got its name, attending school, stagecoaches, Bristow stores and farming. In Part Two of this… |
| Mary Franks 06/11/2025 |
Mary Franks, born August 6, 1943, in Bristow, Oklahoma, was one of eight children. She was born at home and delivered by Dr. Coppedge. Her parents, William Elijah Graham and Norma May Henderson Graham,… |
| Mike Newell 07/02/2024 |
Mike Newell shares about his life growing up, his family, his work life in law enforcement and about his love of music and writing. |
| Milly Thompson 07/12/1979 |
In this 1979 interview with Milly Bell Wyatt Thompson, she talks about her early life in Bristow including her family being farmers, going to school, cotton farming and Indians. She also talks about the… |
| Monta Jean Wheeler 11/11/2020 |
In this 2020 interview, Monta Jean Wheeler shares her experiences growing up in the Bristow area. She discusses her childhood, the various businesses throughout Bristow, and the impact that World War II… |
| Myra Kemp 04/29/2021 |
Myra Marie Kemp and her daughter Nanette Wampler shared their family history with Georgia Smith from the Bristow Historical Society. Myra, born Myra Marie Hunt on June 17, 1925, in Perry, Oklahoma, married… |
| Norma Jean Goodmon 06/14/2021 |
Randy Witty interviews Norma Jean Goodmon about her life in Bristow, Oklahoma. Born Norma Jean Watts on February 15, 1927, in Slick, Oklahoma, she recounts her family's history, including her parents'… |
| Oliver Tracy Kelly 10/13/1976 |
In this brief 1976 interview, Oliver 'Tracy' Kelly (1926-2012) discusses the first banks and cotton gins in Bristow, Oklahoma, as well as the nature of the industry in the area at that time, which was… |
| Oma Kay Murray 08/16/2024 |
Oma Kay Murray was born October 11, 1951 in Bristow, Oklahoma. Oma Kay's parents, James and Oma Copeland, worked at a Dr Pepper bottling company after WWII. She attended Bristow Public Schools where she… |
| Paula Atwell 05/01/2024 |
Paula Atwell shares about her history growing up in the Bristow area, about her family and work life and her love for genealogy and history. |
| Percy Mayes 08/17/1992 |
In this 1992 interview, Reverend Percy Mayes talks about God’s call on his life to be in ministry, establishing the Duffey Chapel and businesses that were near his church. Reverend Mayes talks about his… |
| Ralph R. 'Brick' Kirchner 1976 |
In this brief 1976 interview, Ralph R. 'Brick' Kirchner (RK) (1893-1990) discusses a 1925 United States Geological Survey geological report covering the “Bristow Quadrangle” oilfield area. |
| Ralph R. 'Brick' Kirchner 1979 |
In this 1979 interview, Ralph R. 'Brick' Kirchner (1893-1990) speaks extensively about the oil drilling industry in Bristow, Oklahoma in the early 1900s, business involvement with J. Paul Getty, anecdotes… |
| Ruth Vermont (Hailey) Stumpff 9/21/1987 |
In this 1987 interview, Ruth Vermont (Hailey) Stumpff (1896-1990) briefly discusses the Blythe family history outside Cato, Missouri. |
| Todd Herman & Mary Herman 04/09/2021 |
In this 2021 interview, Todd and Mary Herman sharing about how life was growing up in Bristow. They discuss their family’s backgrounds here including, starting gun shows, owning a jewelry store and a dairy,… |
| Velma Collins 02/12/1994 |
In this 1994 interview with Velma Collins, she talks extensively about the home her father built and the different people that worked there, along with other various homes she lived in as a child. She… |
| Virgil Rufus Vann & Carrie May (Millhouse) Vann 1976 |
In this 1976 interview, Virgil Rufus Vann (1895–1983) and his wife Carrie May (Millhouse) Vann (1900-1982) discuss their early-1900s childhoods in the Pinehill Community outside Bristow, Oklahoma, including… |
| Wendall List 07/16/1979 |
In this 1979 interview with Wendell O. List, he talks about the Tulsa Race Riots, the first radio station, the first newspapers, politics and race relations in Bristow. |
| Winey Harjo 1991 |
In Part One of Winey Harjo's 1991 interview, she talks about her family history, having small pox as a child, attending school some, working in the fields, and what it was like to live in a time with no… |
