Oklahoma Centennial Bench
The centennial bench is made of steel, like the people who have made Oklahoma what it is today. The bench is 100 inches long and there will b[e] 100 of them produced. Each bench will come with a certificate of origin and number of each bench. The design is by metal artist James Murr and his wife Rose. The back of the bench tells the story of Oklahoma from 1907 thru 2007.
[I]f you notice the line between 1907 and 2007 makes three significant dips, only to rise a little higher each time, and always with the sun shining on it. These signify three important events in Oklahoma history. The first is the crash of 29, the second is the dirty thirties, and the third is the bombing of the Murrah building. The people of Oklahoma are a hardy bunch, tough, and a whole lot plain stubborn. When the crash of 29 came a lot of people just gave up, but a true Okie does not know when to quit. Before anyone could get a grip on the fact that there was no money, no jobs, and most important, no food along came the drought of the thirties. What wasn't wiped out by the crash, either was blown away or covered up. The ones that had enough tenacity to stick it out are the ones that make Oklahoma what it is today. The bombing that took one hundred and sixty eight lives from us was a horrible thing we will never forget, but again thru the crying and tears
those people of steel keep on keeping on making the rest of the country realize we are here to stay. May God continue to bless this great land and its people.Erected 2007.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.
Location. 36° 26.82′ N, 95° 42.593′ W. Marker is in Oologah, Oklahoma, in Rogers County. Marker is at the intersection of Cooweescoowee Avenue and Maple Street, on the left when traveling west on Cooweescoowee Avenue. Marker and bench are at the historic Bank of Oolagah building. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Oologah OK 74053, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Cherokee Kid (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Mart Reed General Store Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Oolagah's First Public Tribute to Will Rogers (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Will Rogers Birthplace (about 500 feet away); Will Rogers Airport (approx. 2.8 miles away); Clement Vann Rogers (approx. 2.8 miles away); Daugherty Pathway (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oologah.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 14, 2017. It was originally submitted on December 13, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 181 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 14, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.