Central Oklahoma City in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

Babbs Switch School Fire

The Red River Journey

Photographed by Jason Voigt, April 9, 2021

1. Babbs Switch School Fire Marker

Inscription. On December 24, 1924, approximately 200 adults and children crowded into Babbs Switch school, seven miles south of Hobart. The Christmas tree was lit with candles, so when a child brushed a branch the tree ignited. Quickly engulfed in flames, the building's windows were covered with heavy wire netting and the door opened inward. Many were trampled and burned in the ensuing panic. Thirty-six people died, more than half of them children.

The tragedy resulted in many new safety regulations for public buildings, including having more than one exit and doors that open outward.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Education. A significant historical date for this entry is December 24, 1924.

Location. 35° 29.61′ N, 97° 29.945′ W. Marker is in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in Oklahoma County. It is in Central Oklahoma City. It can be reached from Nazih Zuhdi Drive west of North Laird Avenue. Marker is part of the Red River Journey pathway, which is on the grounds of the Oklahoma History Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City OK 73105, United

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States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Oklahoma — Frontier Country.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Oklahoma's Gold Rush (here, next to this marker); North Fork of the Red River (a few steps from this marker); Hackberry Flat (a few steps from this marker); 1834 Dragoon Expedition (a few steps from this marker); W.C. Austin Project (a few steps from this marker); Devil's Canyon (a few steps from this marker); Indian Blanket Flower (a few steps from this marker); First Shelterbelt (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oklahoma City.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . . Babbs Switch fire on Wikipedia. According

North Fork of the Red River Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, April 9, 2021

2. North Fork of the Red River Marker

Marker is where the red arrow points, on the Red River Journey pathway.

to the National Fire Protection Association, this is the sixth-deadliest fire on record in the United States. (Submitted on June 4, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 721 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 4, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.