Published May 2, 2016

10 Retro Places In Oklahoma That Will Take You Back In Time

Published May 2, 2016

Written by

Ashley

State Pride|History

Updated Jul 25, 2024

What Every Small Town Had In Oklahoma In The 1930s. It Was A Simpler Time.

Showcases daily life in small towns in Oklahoma during the 1930s through 20 historical photos.

Updated Jul 25, 2024

Written by

Ashley

It's hard to imagine what it was like in the 1930s in Oklahoma. Some may see it as a simpler time, but it was difficult due to the conditions of the drought and the Great Depression, and the Sooner State was ground zero. Farmers became unemployed, many people migrated West, and poverty was unimaginable - yet they still survived. It is a complicated chapter in our state's history. What did daily life look during this era? Take a look at these 20 historic photos of Oklahoma that showcase small town life in the 1930s in Oklahoma.

1. Local drought farmers waiting around for work.

alt — Dorothea Lange/Library of Congress/Photogrammar

2. And the farmers working the local fields.

alt — Dorothea Lange/Library of Congress/Photogrammar

3. Small churches were an important part of the community.

alt — Dorothea Lange/Library of Congress/Photogrammar

4. They had a local jail and sheriff on watch.

alt — Dorothea Lange/Library of Congress/Photogrammar

5. Main Streets filled with locals or deserted ones that became ghost towns.

alt — Dorothea Lange/Library of Congress/Photogrammar

6. Corn grinders for the breaking down of food.

alt — Dorothea Lange/Library of Congress/Photogrammar

7. Clothes lines were used to dry the clothes.

alt — Russell Lee/Library of Congress/Photogrammar

8. The local bank was not only a place of business, but a gathering spot for the locals.

alt — Russell Lee/Library of Congress/Photogrammar

9. Milk cans and milk delivery were commonplace.

alt — Russell Lee/Library of Congress/Photogrammar

10. Water wells were essential for survival.

alt — Russell Lee/Library of Congress/Photogrammar

11. General stores were where you sent the children to pick up supplies.

alt — Russell Lee/Library of Congress/Photogrammar

12. Small schoolhouses that were usually no more than one room.

alt — Russell Lee/Library of Congress/Photogrammar

13. Barber shops with the iconic striped poles.

alt — Russell Lee/Library of Congress/Photogrammar

14. Poverty that was unimaginable.

alt — Russell Lee/Library of Congress/Photogrammar

15. The local mailman that was on a first name basis.

alt — Russell Lee/Library of Congress/Photogrammar

16. Mom and pop cafes that served a warm meal.

alt — Russell Lee/Library of Congress/Photogrammar

17. City halls smaller than one-room schoolhouses.

alt — Russell Lee/Library of Congress/Photogrammar

18. Feed mills for the local farmers to feed their livestock.

alt — Russell Lee/Library of Congress/Photogrammar

19. Lots for the horses and wagons.

alt — Russell Lee/Library of Congress/Photogrammar

20. And hitching posts for the mules.

alt — Russell Lee/Library of Congress/Photogrammar

This historic photos of Oklahoma remind us of our resilience and make us proud of our Sooner State roots. How about you? If you're interested in seeking more vintage images, take a look at these even older photos of Oklahoma.

State Pride|History

Updated Jul 10, 2024

A Terrifying, Deadly Storm Struck Oklahoma In 1942…And No One Saw It Coming

An EF4 tornado devastated Pryor, Oklahoma in 1942, destroying much of the town and causing significant loss of life and property.

Updated Jul 10, 2024

Written by

Ashley

Can you imagine a third of your town being destroyed within a matter of minutes? That's what happened to the small, close-knit community of Pryor, Oklahoma on April 27, 1942, when a deadly tornado touched down. At approximately 5:00 p.m. local time, an EF4 tornado swept through the main business district of town and the residential section, demolishing 500 buildings, killing 52 people and injuring 350 others. As if the tornado wasn't bad enough, the town was also hit with torrential rains that left knee-deep water, halting emergency rescue and cleanup efforts. Let's take a look back to that terrifying day in 1942, when one of the worst tornadoes in Oklahoma history spiraled through:

The tornado struck the town of Talala before it hit Pryor. The Talala residents reported that the tornado didn't have the usual funnel, but by the time it reached Pryor there was a definite funnel.

Pictured below is Main Street before the tornado struck.

Within minutes, the street was demolished and looked like a war zone.

Main Street sustained the worst of the damage.

The town's two hospitals were also destroyed, and local churches and businesses still standing were used as makeshift shelters and medical centers.

Some victims were transported by shuttle train to Vinita for medical attention.

The town was put under martial law, but because the National Guard was activated due to World War II, state troopers were sent in to maintain order.

Not only was the business district hit, but the residential section of town was taken out as well.

This mobile home was flipped upside down, as they so easily do in tornadoes.

The caption says it all, "Main Street - A Jumbled Mass of Wreckage."

The town grocery store, Safeway, was unrecognizable.

All the cars at the Chevrolet Garage were demolished.

The local Baptist Church was left without a house of worship.

Those unharmed quickly gathered together to rescue the injured and recover those who lost their lives.

Those who lived through this terrifying day will never forget the tragedy and devastation that occurred.

We are thankful for the advancements in weather forecasting, but the Pryor, Oklahoma tornado of 1942 is a good reminder to take them seriously.

For additional photos of this Oklahoma tornado and its subsequent damage, visit the Pryor Public Library's online gallery or check out some footage in the video above.

Oklahoma has a bit of a reputation for its often terrifying and unpredictable weather, but there's still a lot to love about our state. The most beautiful places in Oklahoma are wildly underrated by those who aren't from around here, but we love them all!

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/oklahoma/beautiful-places-in-ok/

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10 Retro Places In Oklahoma That Will Take You Back In Time

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What Every Small Town Had In Oklahoma In The 1930s. It Was A Simpler Time.

1. Local drought farmers waiting around for work.

2. And the farmers working the local fields.

3. Small churches were an important part of the community.

4. They had a local jail and sheriff on watch.

5. Main Streets filled with locals or deserted ones that became ghost towns.

6. Corn grinders for the breaking down of food.

7. Clothes lines were used to dry the clothes.

8. The local bank was not only a place of business, but a gathering spot for the locals.

9. Milk cans and milk delivery were commonplace.

10. Water wells were essential for survival.

11. General stores were where you sent the children to pick up supplies.

12. Small schoolhouses that were usually no more than one room.

13. Barber shops with the iconic striped poles.

14. Poverty that was unimaginable.

15. The local mailman that was on a first name basis.

16. Mom and pop cafes that served a warm meal.

17. City halls smaller than one-room schoolhouses.

18. Feed mills for the local farmers to feed their livestock.

19. Lots for the horses and wagons.

20. And hitching posts for the mules.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

A Terrifying, Deadly Storm Struck Oklahoma In 1942…And No One Saw It Coming

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

All Stories

The Battle to Save a Historic Witch Trials Home Near Salem, Massachusetts Is Worth the Fight

This Secluded Airbnb Cabin in Northern California Is the Perfect Place for a Digital Detox

Skip the Crowds: Explore Washington’s 5 Quietest Trails and Parks This Month

We Found the Ultimate Game Day Stress Relief at This Alabama Comfort Food Sports Bar

I Visited This New Alabama Boutique Hotel That Honors Its Community’s Historic Local Spirit