Amplified Oklahoma

In the 1960s and 70s, the Glass House Restaurant was a must-go-to attraction in Oklahoma. Known for its unique architecture, fantastic food, and even better service, the Glass House was the first restaurant to be built over a U.S. public highway. Attached to this arched building were two full-service gas stations for travelers on both sides of the road. This month on Amplified Oklahoma, we're look...

For almost 80 years, Cordell Hall served Oklahoma State University, first as a residence hall, and later as office space for the campus. In early 2018, Cordell Hall was demolished, leaving behind memories from those who called the building home. This month on Amplified Oklahoma, we're looking back on life in Cordell and the impact it had on its residents. From the Oklahoma Oral History Research Pr...

In Choctaw County, Oklahoma, you'll find the town of Hugo. Since the 1940s, Hugo has served as the winter quarters for several tent circuses that continue to travel from town to town, amazing children and adults alike. Under the big top, performers showcase their artistry and spend hours practicing and honing their craft. This month on Amplified Oklahoma, we're learning more about some of the arti...

This month, we're looking back on the history of Attucks School in Craig County. Built in 1916, Attucks served African American students in Vinita, a city located in northeastern Oklahoma, through the mid-1950s. Deeply rooted in the African American community, the school and its teachers provided students and their families with support in many different ways. Even today, its impact can be seen in...

This month on Amplified Oklahoma, we're examining the influence of Cheyenne artist Dick West on the lives of two women who began their careers at a time when there was rarely a recognized professional Native woman artist. From the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program's archives, we'll hear interview excerpts from Sharron Ahtone Harjo and Joan Hill, two artists who share Bacone College as their a...

The Korean War is often referred to as the "Forgotten War" because it came so soon after World War II, involved fewer American troops, and was fought in a much smaller area. While 16 million Americans served in the Second World War, the Korean War included approximately one-third that many, and while World War II involved a worldwide theater, the Korean War was contained to the Korean Peninsula. T...

Opened in 1884, Chilocco Indian School was one of the largest federally-funded boarding schools for Native American youth in the country. Located twenty miles north of Ponca City, Oklahoma, the school offered a half academic / half vocational curriculum, focused on assimilating Native students into the dominant culture. Like most boarding schools, Chilocco went through different phases of developm...

Cold weather, football games and pumpkin patches are things to look forward to in October. But most of all, we have Halloween, spooky ghost stories and cemeteries to explore. In this episode of Amplified Oklahoma, we're delving underground in the Oklahoma towns of Hugo and Okeene. We'll hear oral history interview excerpts from Barbara Miller Byrd featuring a unique resting place for circus worker...

Frank "Pistol Pete" Eaton was a true cowboy, the epitome of the Old West with a colorful past. He also happens to be the man Oklahoma State University's mascot is modeled after. This episode of Amplified Oklahoma is all about Pistol Pete and the students who bring the legend to life. From the oral history archives, we'll hear from two former mascots, Bill F. Smith and Phil Glasgow. Later, OSU Pom...

The Oklahoma State University campus during the 1950s was a very different place than it is today. Hideaway was just getting its start, the Edmon Low library was brand new to the campus skyline, and, strangely enough, an alligator lived in Theta Pond. This episode of Amplified Oklahoma is all about Alligator Sam of Theta Pond. We'll hear three oral history interview excerpts about Sam from Norma C...

While Phi Beta Kappa is known as a prestigious academic honor society throughout the United States, it is relatively new to Oklahoma State University. After several attempts, a chapter was finally installed at OSU in 2013. This episode of Amplified Oklahoma features oral history interview excerpts with OSU faculty members Dr. Perry Gethner and Dr. Robert Miller as they describe the trials and trib...

Women were once heavily outnumbered in the law school classroom. Upon graduation, many faced challenges in securing and maintaining employment. While the legal landscape is much different today, this episode of Amplified Oklahoma looks back on some of the early adversity women faced in the profession. We'll hear oral history interview excerpts from Judge Stephanie Kulp Seymour who serves on the U....

Everybody has their favorite college story to tell at get-togethers and barbeques. Students from Oklahoma State University's Class of 1959 all have one story in common, the tale of Jimbo the bull. In this episode of Amplified Oklahoma, we'll hear two very different memories of Jimbo from the OOHRP's archives, one from Glenn Taylor and the other from Walter Hackney, two animal husbandry majors. Lat...

Known to her friends in California as "the Okie Poet," Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel wrote more than 50 books of poetry and stories. So in honor of National Poetry Month, we're going to take a look at her life and work in this episode of Amplified Oklahoma. Listeners will hear oral history interview excerpts from Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz and John Cooper, who shared stories from Wilma's life with OSU's Kare...

Spring is finally here and in full swing at Oklahoma State University. The grey days of winter are behind us and summer is edging closer and closer. To help inspire everyone to get out there and get active, we've put together a great episode on health. Listeners will hear oral history interview excerpts from Art Bieri, a long time Stillwater Public Schools educator and benefactor of physical educa...

Nestled in Okfuskee County is Boley, Oklahoma, a quiet town that was once referred to as "the largest and wealthiest exclusive Negro city in the world." This episode of Amplified Oklahoma features the history of Boley and how the town influenced and affected its residents. We'll hear oral history interview excerpts from Henrietta Hicks and the late William Hunt. Dr. Lynne Simpson from the Oklahoma...

What does Bugs Bunny, That 70s Show, and a Lucky Strike cigarette commercial have in common? Square dancing. Square dancing was once a major part of rural life, especially in Oklahoma. This month, we're taking a look at American folk dances. We'll hear oral history interview excerpts with centenarian Jimmy Ray and former square dance caller Donald Banks. In addition, Dr. Louise Siddons from OSU's...

Classes are out and the holiday spirit is in the air! This month we're featuring five short oral history excerpts about Christmas during the Great Depression in Oklahoma. In addition, David Peters with the OSU Archives joins us to discuss the history behind the Edmon Low Library's bell tower, known for playing holiday tunes throughout December. So settle down by the fire with a hot cocoa and enjoy...

The presidential election has ended, but that doesn't mean we're ready to be done with political campaigns here at Amplified Oklahoma. This month is all about political campaigns, election nights, and inaugurations. We'll feature oral history interview excerpts with former Oklahoma legislators Vicki Miles-LaGrange and the late Hannah Atkins. We'll also talk with Dr. Jeanette Mendez from Oklahoma S...

This month, Amplified Oklahoma brings you Germans in Oklahoma. This episode explores the lives of three generations of German-American women. Listeners will hear oral history interview excerpts from Margaretha Harriman, who was drafted by the Nazis as a teenager, and her niece Margaretha Schwabe, who lived just half a mile from the Berlin Wall. Ilka Heiskell also talks about growing up in Germany...

"From the Belly of Our Being: art by and about Native creation" runs from September 27, 2016 to January 28, 2017 at the Oklahoma State University Museum of Art. The exhibition features beautiful pieces of Native American art made by talented artists from Oklahoma and across the country. In this episode, we'll listen to oral history interview excerpts with two of the exhibition's artists, Anita Fie...

The first week of classes this semester at Oklahoma State University coincides with National Friendship Week, so what better way to start out the school year than to talk about friendship! In this episode, we'll hear from two Oklahoman politicians, Lisa Johnson Billy and Anastasia Pittman, and learn how friendship impacted their lives and political campaigns. Also, Dr. Farida Jalalzai from OSU's D...

Whether it's "Hamilton," "Mad Men," or "Saving Private Ryan," everyone loves a little bit of history packed in with their entertainment. In this episode, we're focusing on how the OSU Library transformed the Oklahoma 100 Year Life Oral History Project into "The Centenarian Play." We'll hear from OSU student Trey Phipps and talk about his experience portraying centenarian Delmar Hopkins in the perf...

In this episode, we're discussing love. June is always a popular wedding month across America, so let's take a look at some unique Oklahoma love stories. Listeners will hear oral history interview excerpts from Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Vance Trimble and Tulsa Public Schools educator Chloe Brown. We'll explore some of the neurobiology of mammalian monogamy and parental bonding in prairie v...

In this episode, we're talking tornadoes. May is typically an active weather month in Oklahoma. Devastating storms such as the May 3, 1999 and May 20, 2013 tornadoes will be explored through oral history interview excerpts with Gayland Kitch, Moore, Oklahoma's Director of Emergency Management and Gary England, longtime Oklahoma City meteorologist. Listeners will also hear from Dr. Alex Greer with...