MUSEUM DISPLAYS THE BUILDING OF A CITY Visit Wilson Historical Musuem

When we visit large, bustling cities today, it is hard to imagine vast, uninhabited prairie lands of Oklahoma in the early 1900s. From these plains, cities sprang to life out of either necessity, opportunity, or convenience. Wilson, OK was developed on the foundation of all three.

The town site was originally a huge cornfield. Due to oil interests in the area and the need to move equipment, goods and people, a railroad was built by John Ringling, owner of the Ringling Circus. The tracks stretched from Ardmore to Ringling, named after the business man, and Wilson gained a depot.

Where cornstalks previously grew, oil derricks sprang up and a community formed. The natural evolution of businesses and services, a post office, banks, and churches soon followed and in 1918 the town of Wilson became official. As the oil industry “boomed” so did the population. The city grew to 5,000 residents and was thriving until well after WWII.

The Wilson Historical Museum chronicles the enterprises and entrepreneurs that built this city and helped it thrive. Several oil “booms and busts” have occurred during the history of Wilson. Today, this is still a lively community of welcoming citizens, small businesses, and people supporting their neighbors. The museum tells the stories of these lives through good times and difficulties.

Special displays that are not to be missed include Chuck Norris (of Texas Ranger fame) memorabilia, sculptures by Jim Miller, and a revolving, seasonal exhibit. The museum houses a genealogical research library and hosts a fun scavenger hunt for kids (of all ages) to encourage digging into history.

Stop by for a visit at 1270 8th St, downtown Wilson. Open on Fri. & Sat. from 10am-4pm; you can gather more info at www.wilsonhistoricalmuseum.org or by calling 580-668-2502.