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

Statehood Day

— Alva Mural Society —

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2024

1. Statehood Day Marker

Inscription.
A depiction of Alva’s celebration on the day Oklahoma became the 46th State, November 16, 1907

Sculpture by Georgia Gerber
Mural by Roger Cooke, 2007

Erected 2007 by Alva Mural Society. (Marker Number 18.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. A significant historical date for this entry is November 16, 1907.

Location. 36° 48.273′ N, 98° 39.804′ W. Marker is in Alva, Oklahoma, in Woods County. It is on 4th Street just south of Flynn Street, on the left when traveling south. The marker and mural are located on the north facade of the building at this location, near the northwest corner. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 402 4th Street, Alva OK 73717, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and Cherokee Outlet.

Other nearby markers. At least

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8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Charles Morton Share (a few steps from this marker); The Train Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of United States Land Office Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Thunderbirds (about 400 feet away); Woods County Centennial Wall (about 500 feet away); 45th Infantry Div. (about 500 feet away); World War I Memorial (about 500 feet away); Alva POW Camp (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alva.

Also see . . . History of Oklahoma (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: Areas of Oklahoma east of its panhandle were acquired in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, while the Panhandle was not acquired until the U.S. land acquisitions following the Mexican–American War (1846–1848).
Most of Oklahoma was set aside as Indian Territory, with the general borders of the Indian Territory being formed in 1834 from the Indian Intercourse Act. It was opened for general settlement in 1889. From 1890 to 1907 Oklahoma split into two territories known as Oklahoma Territory in the west and Indian Territory in the east. Oklahoma became
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2024

2. Statehood Day / Oklahoma Centennial Plaza
The marker and mural are inside the small Centennial Plaza behind this decorative wrought iron fence. The marker is mounted on the right side of the mural.
the 46th state to enter the union on November 16, 1907.

(Submitted on February 2, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Statehood Day Marker & Mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2024

3. Statehood Day Marker & Mural

Looking south along 4th Street (on the right). The marker and mural are located on the north facade of the building adjacent to the Statehood Day / Centennial Plaza.

Statehood Day Mural Legend image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2024

4. Statehood Day Mural Legend

(mounted at eye-level on the left side of the mural)[left to right] Annabelle Shafer • Jim Richey • Fran Brunsteter • Marty Gamble • Betty Wenninger • Leroy Ball • Dick Brunsteter • Richard Ryerson • Fred Wenninger • Oscar Stover • Fred Neuman • John Barton • Dennis Weigand • Betty Jo Bellah

Statehood Day Mural and <i>The Bandleader</i> Sculpture image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2024

5. Statehood Day Mural and The Bandleader Sculpture

The mural was painted by Roger Cooke in 2007. In front of the mural is a bronze statue of a trombone player leading the band. This statue is in honor of Fred Wenninger, one of the founding members of the mural society.

<i>The Bandleader</i> Sculpture image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2024

6. The Bandleader Sculpture

By Georgia Gerber
Dedicated November 16, 2007
In Honor of Fred Wenninger

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 1, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 122 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 2, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.