Oklahoma City in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
Babbs Switch School Fire
The Red River Journey
By Jason Voigt, April 9, 2021
1. Babbs Switch School Fire Marker
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. Marker 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 States of America. Touch for directions.
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
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.
this page online
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . . Babbs Switch fire on Wikipedia. According 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 June 4, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 42 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 4, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
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