4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION: STROUD STYLE!

 

Lincoln County Onstage Announces Benefit Event

 Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better in Oklahoma, tickets for Same Sky go on sale AND Room Temperature joins the lineup! Make your reservations today at lconstage.com.

"OPEN J AM SESSION FUNDRAISER" - July 25, 2025

 

Let's Read About It! Comes to Stroud Library

Sign up soon with the Stroud (OK) Library for this great program,  
 

"We Are The Architects of the Future"

 The Route 66 Spirit of America Museum, on Route 66 in Stroud, celebrated during Summer Fun on June 14 the anniversary of the opening of the museum and one of the foundation blocks of the institution. The museum focuses on innovation, imagination, and hope and uses a variety of mediums to remind people of the great strides made in the past and that the only thing that holds us back now is ourselves. Displays of superheroes, Star Trek, and Star Wars, along with the space race, the leadership and role models from dozens of fields all point people to explore how they might embody and express the true "Spirit of America."

For the event, and for use in conventions and conferences, a photo opportunity backdrop was set up for people to put themselves in the picture as they dream of the future.

New Art At Corner of Route 66 and Hwy 99 in Stroud.

 

Stroud Summer Arts Festival To Include Storytelling

 

STROUD'S FLYING SAUCER: A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE

Once Upon A Time...

Gayle Janine, shared that her great uncle created the "Flying Saucer" and yard installation that once caught so many eyes along Route 66.   Vernon (Craig) M. McGuire, did not apparently intend to build an alien themed craft back in 1994 when a friend gave him an eight-foot satellite dish. 

He had planned on making an umbrella top for a table until another friend gave him another dish, thus he wound up having two identical dishes. At that point the creation of The Flying Saucer was born.

Pulling together a wide variety of bits and pieces the final product slowly emerged. The top half to the saucer consists of commercial dryer door, pool filter, small satellite dish, UHF antenna, and over 100 platinum coated aluminum hard drive disks.

STROUD FLYING SAUCER, is located at 920 W. 4th St., in Stroud, Oklahoma. It was planted under a tree that have grown up to embrace and hide the craft.  Desire is strong to restore it but when that might happen is unclear due to many circumstances. 

When local author Marilyn A. Hudson *, moved to Stroud she was intrigued. She had just published the first of a series of books on UFO's and Oklahoma.   "As I continued to research, I uncovered so many stories from here in Oklahoma about reports of people seeing odd things in the skies. Image my delight when I found some from Stroud and then saw the "UFO" sign!"

Despite the reports found in the Air Force's Project Blue Book, the files of the Mutual UFO Network, and several books, McGuire's inspiration was not a local event. It was apparently just the collision of the right materials and a creative mind. 

Some, of course, were not above playing to the crowd on the topic of
"flying saucers."  Terri McCall, said, "I'll never forget the time some guys from another country were asking Donnie McCall and Eddie Ferguson about the UFO. These two came up with a story like no one would believe!  If you knew these two you could only imagine! So, somewhere in a foreign Country there is a document of this story.  I was laughing so hard I had to slide down the seat so they wouldn't see me. Don and Eddie kept a straight face the whole time."

 For many years posts about travels along Route 66 in Oklahoma included images of the "UFO" sign pointing to the back yard where the saucer resided. A flyer or booklet is believed to have been given out at one time but no copies of this have yet been found. If found, give a copy to the history collection at the local public library in Stroud. 

Melanie Cole Williams added, Craig McGuire took great pride in designing and maintaining that. He was a great human!

For many the fun lure of the unknown made the hand-painted sign and the back yard art installation a fun stop along the Mainstreet of America, Route 66. Maybe, just maybe, the strangers on the silver craft can made a new appearance to the delight of all.

 (Thanks to the owners of the photos for their permission to use in this story).

*- See Sooner Saucers, vol 2; UFOs Over Oklahoma: Guide to Route 66 (on Amazon)

GOLD STAR MEMORIAL DEDICATED - STROUD, OKLAHOMA

Saturday June 14, 2025, the National Garden Clubs, Inc., Oklahoma Garden Clubs, Inc., Cushing Gladiolus Garden Club, City of Stroud, American Legion Post 257, and State Representative Jim Shaw were part of a dedication ceremony in the Ed Smalley Centennial Park along historic Route 66. The unveiled plaque marks the first Gold Star Memorial in the state of Oklahoma. It adds to the Bugle Boy Statue, the dedication markers and the Blue Star Marker already in place creating a unique and valuable landmark to Stroud in remembrance of those who served and those who gave their all. 

Although rain threatened, spirits of those attending could not be dampened.

Participants in the ceremony included musical renditions by Micelle Witson, Pledge of Allegiance led by Sus Lovelace, Invocation by Pastor James Bond, First Baptist Church, Stroud,  Benediction by Reverand Ronnie Jacobs, Jesus Baptist Church of Stroud, Emeri Bradley playing Taps, and Linda Smith introduced the guests and speakers.

Guests and speakers included Erin Bradley, Chamber of Commerce, Rep. Jim Shaw (Dist. 32), Melanie Spence of Oklahoma Garden Clubs, Inc.  The history of the Gold Star Markers and the National Garden Clubs was given in three segments by Mary Early, Mila Willaims, Charlotte Sims.  The unique history of the Bugle Boy sculpture was shared by Kalah Summers. 

Other important supporters of the event were Stroud Legion Commander Michael Horwath, the Ed Smalley family, Beverly Thomas, Bonnie Trammel, , NGC Schools Attendees, American Legon Post 257, Oklahoma State University ROTC, and the City of Stroud.

The military was represented by the color guard from the Oklahoma State University ROTC, unveiling of the markers and floral tribute was by members of the American Legion Post of Stroud, Post 257. The floral tribute was presented by Delmer Summers, 3rd Class Gunners Mate, U.S. Navy; Dedication of the marker was by Dan Grotts, Veteran U.S. Air Force a military tribute address was presented by Captain Dustin Gabbert, Assistant Professor, Military Science, OSU (Oklahoma National Guard; Iraq and Kuwait).

The marker was accepted on behalf of the City of Stroud by City Manager, Bob Pearman.

New Signs To Improve Local Cemetery

Signs, similar to the one show, are being stalled at the Stroud Library as the result of work by numerous groups in the community. These will be a great help as families and friends search for the location of a deceased loved one or friend.

The city maintains a page of information about the cemetery at Cemetery | Stroud, OK.

A map of the cemetery:

Find A Grave is a database of grave information built and maintained by volunteers around the globe.  For many doing family history research it is a valuable tool.

Stroud Cemetery in Stroud, Oklahoma - Find a Grave Cemetery
 

Stories of Stroud: Unknowns of 1959

 

Stories of Stroud: A Series About Events in Stroud History

 

Stories of Stroud. Stroud Star News and Views. 2025

1915, Stroud, OK.

Known as the “Cherokee Bad Boy”, Henry Starr was no stranger to Stroud. 

In the late 1890’s he attended the local Methodist Church and grabbed a trophy feather off the hat worn by the attractive local preacher’s daughter.  For weeks, when he came into town, he would proudly sport that hat feather on his shirt or jacket.

The dream of robbing two banks at one time was not new – but it had never been successful. Even the dreaded Daltons had not been able to pull such a thing off.

On March 27, 1915, Henry Starr set out to best those previous attempts.  He and six accomplices attempted, simultaneously, to rob two Stroud, Oklahoma, banks.

What they had not expected was one gutsy 18 -year-old young man bringing supplies to sell in town and several local business owners would not hesitate to help them see the error of their ways.

Wounded, Starr was captured and received a twenty-five-year prison sentence.

Look for the metal cutouts near the sites of the old banks for a visual on this historic event.

News from Town Talk -Cemetery Improvement Plans

NEWS FROM TOWN TALK. Stroud, OK. Stroud Star. 2 June 2025/ Town Talk hopes everyone liked the new signs denoting block locations at the cemetery.  

Our next project is an open-sided pavilion at the cemetery to be available for graveside services.  Our goal is to raise $4500 for the concrete base.

If you would like to donate to this project, make your check payable to Town Talk. Mail to Aleta Smalley at 301 West 6th Street or Julie Bivin at 501 South 10th Avenue.

For more information about the cemetery see this page

Interested in finding a grave in Stroud; Find a grave

LEARNING THE PAST: THE HOTEL LINCOLN, STROUD, OKLAHOMA (Route 66)

 The Hotel Lincoln Building Historical Marker   - Route 66

At the time the location was registered as a landmark there were trees and brick planters.  Those are now gone. 

It is "Mainstreet" Landmark - 1924.  Over the years the structure has served as hotel, businesses, offices, antique and collectable store, and more...

The Hotel Lincoln Building  (1924) Main Street Stroud ★ Historic US Rt. 66

Excerpt from the National Register nomination:

In the mid-1920s, the city of Stroud experienced much construction including the Hotel Lincoln. The Stroud Messenger first mentioned the new hotel in February 1924. The following month, the owners of the Moss and Ingalls Drug Store, a one story, brick commercial building, expanded the building to the rear and added a second story to create the Hotel Lincoln. When the Hotel Lincoln announced its grand opening, advertisements proclaimed it to be “The only modern hotel in Stroud.” The first proprietor was R.C. Updegraff from Okmulgee, Oklahoma.

The following twenty years proved profitable for the Hotel Lincoln in part due to the Route 66 traveler. The Hotel Lincoln was a vital asset to the business district in its effort to attract travelers along Route 66. Not only did it occupy an important commercial corner, but it also brought in many travelers who would frequent other downtown businesses.

Historic Locations Recognized in the Stroud Area

There are numerous nationally recognized historic locations in the Stroud, Lincoln County, Oklahoma area. From the National Register website:

Oklahoma National Register

County	Property	Address	City
LINCOLN	BON TON HOUSE	404 N 4TH AVE	STROUD	Select
LINCOLN	GEORGE HUGHES HOUSE	308 W 5TH	STROUD	Select
LINCOLN	GRAHAM HOTEL	MAIN STREET AND SECOND AVE	STROUD	Select
LINCOLN	HADLEY HOUSE	622 NORTH 4TH AVENUE	STROUD	Select
LINCOLN	HOTEL LINCOLN	323 MAIN	STROUD	Select
LINCOLN	JAMES W STROUD HOUSE	110 E 2ND	STROUD	Select
LINCOLN	JOSEPH CARPENTER HOUSE	204 W 6TH	STROUD	Select
LINCOLN	ROCK CAFÉ	114 W MAIN	STROUD	Select
LINCOLN	SOUTHWESTERN BELL TELEPHONE BUILDING	301 W 7TH	STROUD	Select
LINCOLN	STROUD TRADING COMPANY BUILDING	MAIN STREET AND SECOND AVE	STROUD	Select
LINCOLN	WALTER HADLEY HOUSE	424 W 7TH	STROUD	Select
LINCOLN	WILLIAM ALFRED MENSCH BUILDING	218 W MAIN STREET	STROUD	Select
LINCOLN	MOSES KEOKUK HOUSE	6 MILES SOUTH OF CITY	STROUD VICINITY	Select
LINCOLN	OLD STROUD SCHOOL	1 MILE EAST, 1/3 MILE SOUTH OF THE I-44 AND SH 99 JUNCTION	STROUD VICINITY	Select
LINCOLN	OZARK TRAILS SECTION OF ROUTE 66	FROM INTERSECTION OF N3540 ROAD AND E0890 ROAD WEST TO INTERSECTION OF E0890 ROAD AND THE ST. LOUIS AND SAN FRANCISCO RAILROAD TRACKS	STROUD VICINITY

Summer Library Fun!

 Library Board | Stroud, OK

Stroud Public Library (OK) is located at 301 W. 7th

Summer program - now on Wednesdays this June.

918-968-2567

stroud.booksyst.net/opac/spl?/

FREE CLASS TO IMPROVE BALANCE AND MORE

FREE Tai Chi class coming in July! part of a state initiative to improve lives of seniors in local communities.

Get registered now by calling Jenna at 918-660-3172 or email jenna-chavez@ouhsc.edu

Everyone Invited!

IMPOROVEMENTS TO FOSTER PARK POND

 IMPROVEMENTS TO FOSTER PARK POND. Stroud, Oklahoma- 1 June 2025 - Stroud Star/ Stroud has added a wonderful new aspect to the Foster Park pond. Through a special partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife, and others, the newly restored pond has fish in it. Stage one of the partnership has seen perch brought the pond. Later
towards the fall, bass will also be introduced.

The process is still being implemented, said City Manager Bob Pearman. Anyone will be able to fish. There will be some limits and rules (such as 3 per person and limits on sizes). These are being worked out by the biologists from the ODW who is also training the Stroud Lake Ranger in the processes. Information and details will be coming soon.

The new additions will open up a new world for area youth and seniors or anyone who likes to fish. Special events, such a possible "Fishing Derbe" are being considered for the future programming related to the upgrades.

Any persons or organizations wishing to donate money or materials is encouraged to check with the city. Possibilities include funding rods and tackle for check out circulation through the public library or other community venues. Volunteers and donors make an important contribution to improving the community and for supporting this exciting new aspect at Stroud.

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