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

Zelia N. Breaux

1882 - November 3, 1956

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 21, 2025

1. Zelia N. Breaux Marker

Inscription. Prominent musician and music educator, she was the daughter of Dr. Inman E. Page. She was the first Douglas High School Band Director; she directed the orchestra, choir and produced an annual operetta. She provided private instruction to Ralph Ellison, Jimmy Rushing, Duke Ellington, and Charlie Christian. She was inducted into the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame in 1982 and named one of Oklahoma's “100 Notable Women of Style” by Oklahoma Today magazine. She was co-founder of the Aldridge Theatre at 303-305 NE Second Street, the first theater built for Blacks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1982.

Location. 35° 28.175′ N, 97° 30.534′ W. Marker is in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in Oklahoma County. It is in Deep Deuce. It is at the intersection of Northeast 2nd Street and North Walnut Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Northeast 2nd Street. Marker is embedded in the sidewalk at the southeast corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this

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postal address: 200 NE 2nd St, Oklahoma City OK 73104, United 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: Dr. Wyatt H. Slaughter (a few steps from this marker); Dr. William Lewis Haywood (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Charles “Bird” Christopher Parker Jr. (about 400 feet away); Charles (Charlie) A. Christian (about 500 feet away); James (Jimmy) Andrew Rushing (about 500 feet away); Site of Military Post in Oklahoma Territory (about 500 feet away); James “Doughbelly” Brooks (about 600 feet away); Dr. Inman E. Page (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oklahoma City.

Also see . . . Breaux, Zelia Page (1880-1956).

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 21, 2025

2. Zelia N. Breaux Marker

On May 1, 1898, Inman Page became president of the Colored Agricultural and Normal University (now Langston University) in Langston and moved his family to Oklahoma Territory. He hired his daughter, Zelia, as a teacher of piano and instrumental music. (Hannah D. Atkins, in The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Oklahoma Historical Society) (Submitted on August 1, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Zelia N. Breaux and unidentified students image. Click for full size.

The Daily Oklahoman; Okla. Historical Society via The Gateway to Oklahoma History (fair use), 1941

3. Zelia N. Breaux and unidentified students

The Douglass High School band became widely renowned under her direction, once performing at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair for a national radio audience.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 85 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 1, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.