ozarks
Sh
roots
the people, places and traditions that make the ozarks home
H g n i r a
y r o t s i
By Terry Ropp
Duo works diligently to promote community history, as well new events and ideas If every person’s story is worth the book, imagine what the story of a small town is worth. To date, the story of Marble City, Okla., is worth at least eight, large three-ring binders of old photographs and articles for sale by the local historical society. So far, more than 200 individual volumes or sets have been sold. The story also serves as an example of a deeply held belief that one person (although in this case two
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people) can make positive, significant, and long-lasting changes. The first person is Mildred Taylor, vice president of the Marble City Historical Society and one of the compilers of the historical volumes. Tamara Hibbard, mayor of Marble City, is the second. Even though both are quick to say many people have made significant contributions to their town, these two women have helped sculpt the current face of a mighty little place.
The history of Marble City is part of the history of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. Before statehood, a limestone quarry and a marble quarry were the only significant businesses in the area. The marble quarry had an unofficial post office and was no more than a square hole in the ground. The town itself was established in 1903 when the Cherokee Nation land occupying that section of Oklahoma was repossessed
Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com
by the federal government. One-square mile of land was developed into the future town of Marble City by businessmen Mildred call “speculators.” Their belief was that the quarry would spawn a significant city of 15,000 to 20,000 people. The land was divided into lots and lottery tickets were sold. In September 1903 lots were drawn for ownership. A jail was built in 1904 and, while abandoned, still stands today. Oral legend MAY 17, 2021
