September 20, 2025 Issue, Page 9 of 12

Page Text

The Elk City News SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2025 • 9 NEWS One Hundred Years Ago: September 1925 By Judy Haught a movie and attend the fair. ton would produce a bale per The Sayre Journal advertised acre. Local gins had already In the September 10, train excursions to and from ginned 300 bales. 1925, edition of the Elk City the Beckham County Fair. The Beckham County News-Democrat, the Beck- The ticket price was ninety Democrat of Erick had chap- ham County Fair was the big cents for a round trip. The ters from the serialized novel news. A new parking lot had train was scheduled to leave King Tommy by George A. been created to accommo- at 11:51 p.m. and 12:35 p.m. Birmingham and listed the date the expected crowds. In daily. following new books at the addition to the fair exhibits, a In addition to fair news, Erick Library: The Keeper variety of entertainment was The Elk City News-Dem- of the Bees by Gene Strat- on the schedule. Bands, an- ocrat featured the article ton Porter, A Son of His Fa- imal acts, and acrobats were “School Opened Monday ther by Harold Bell Wright, just a few of the enticements With Record Enrollment.” and Nature’s Garden by for the fair goer. In addition, On that first day of school, Blanchan. The library also The Elk City Press published 1,028 students showed up asked patrons, teachers, and “Instructions for Entering for classes. The article went pastors for book suggestions. the Pig-Automobile Race at on to state, “The first grade In addition, The Beckham the Beckham County Fair.” is quite large, and there will Democrat reported that a The article stated, “Each en- undoubtedly have to be an Mr. Kinnie delivered the first tryman must have a stripped age limit put in effect ow- bale of cotton to Planters Gin down Ford car, preferably ing to the large number that and received $128 for the old model, one pig crate and have asked admittance to ginned cotton plus “premi- one pig not more than six this grade.” Apparently, a ums” from merchants. months old and not less than child could be younger than The Sayre Journal report- three months old….Pigs six years old to enroll in first ed that the board of county should be well trained, con- grade. commissioners approved the genial disposition and easy Many of the ads in The Elk construction of nine new to handle. It is preferred that City News-Democrat list- bridges in Beckham Coun- pig[s] with B Flat voice be ed prices for popular items. ty and the repair of a bridge used.” Apparently the winner Baum’s Variety Store adver- across the North Fork of Red of the race would receive a tised ladies hats for $2.48, River near Texola. Also, the cash prize. The pigs’ role in $2.98, and $3.98. Today, the newspaper featured an arti- this race was not clear. hat prices would range from cle advocating for terracing Many local business- $45 to $73. United Gro- farm land to prevent loss of es were planning to have cery Company advertised a top soil. booths at the fair, and their 48-pound sack of flour for The Beckham County Fair ads in the newspaper ad- $2.35 ($43.38), and a bushel in Elk City was not the only vertised fair specials and of apples was $1.85 ($34.15). fair in the county. The Car- invited people to come by People in 1925 must have ter Express states that Sep- the booths and rest while bought groceries in bulk. tember 10-12 were the dates attending the fair. The Story The Elk City Press fea- for the Carter Free Fair. Big Theatre was showing the si- tured agricultural news. The crowds were expected with lent movie Cornered starring article “Fine Rain Breaks all Carter residents and Marie Prevost. It was a War- Drougth Large Cotton Crop many from the surrounding ner Brothers film and billed Assured” declared, “The area attending. The City of Elk City is Letting its Light Shine as “the greatest crook story ever screened.” The theatre heavens broke loose, and we got what we have wanted for One hundred years later, county and town fairs are still Mini light posts are electrifying scattered throughout the park. The new posts will enhance Ack- ad went on to say, “We will many moons.” The article enjoyed by many residents. Ackley Park. About 15 black light posts have ley Park’s looks, light up the night, open every day during the stated that the broomcorn School and agricultural news The new black posts going up already been placed near Brooks and provide power for park activ- fair at 10 A.M. and close at and feed crops suffered from is still in the headlines. Rural in the park are electric outlets with Trissell Field and the tennis courts, ities like the annual October flea 2 P.M., opening again at 5 the drought and that the Oklahoma maintains trea- lights. and more are on the way. market and Christmas-in-the-Park P.M.” For a full day of enter- tight-land cotton would not sured traditions. These will replace the small out- They will provide electricity and decorations and activities that be- tainment, people could see be good but the irrigated cot- let boxes on concrete pads that are night-time illumination. gin the day after Thanksgiving. ELK CITY Elk City kindergartners play at the Arrowhead Center. Good Luck Area Teams! We want to wish you a great season! :UG6W (ON&LW\2.   Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. ZZZSL]]DKXWFRP ELK CITY: 2714 W. 3rd St. • 102 S. 580-225-2580 Main St.•580.225.2580 https//www.fnbec.bank 2017 W. Third | 1300 S. Main | gpbankok.com &DUU\RXW‡&XUEVLGH‡'HOLYHU\ *UHDW3ODLQV Carry-out • Hut Lane • Delivery 2017 W. Third | 1300 S. Main | Elk City Wal-Mart | gpbankok.com SAYRE: 711 NE Highway 66 • 580-928-2580 1DWLRQDO%DQN 580-225-2265 Good Luck Teams! We hope each of you have a great season! We hope 1210 S. Main St, Elk City you have 580-225-0100 Elk City Nursing Home a great www.elksupply.com 301 N. Garrett, Elk City 580-225-2811 580.243.0466 year!