Kingfisher in Kingfisher County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
"Apostle Paul Sykes"
⎯⎯⎯
Lt. Keith Lowry
Photographed by James Hulse, September 15, 2025
1. "Apostle Paul Sykes" / Lt. Keith Lowry Marker
The first sculpture to be placed on the sidewalk is "Apostle" Paul Sykes, a black man born into slavery who walked from Mississippi to Kingfisher for the land opening of 1891. Sykes founded the Straightgate Church and walked to the Rock Island depot several times a day to sing, dance, and preach to travelers, often using his own song, "Old Ark's a-Moverin." From the pennies he received for his singing and preaching, he supported the church and helped the poor in Kingfisher.
Lt. Keith Lowry
Keith Lowry, as sculpted here, respresents so many of Kingfisher's finest who gave their lives for their country. Keith was a member of the 142nd Infantry Regiment which lost 70% of its officers and 60% of its enlisted soldiers during the Muese-Argonne offensive, October, 1918. Sadly, Lt. Lowry was one of those lost. He was the first man from Kingfisher to die in World War 1. He was only 22.
In what could have been his own epitaph, he wrote: "I am proud to be an officer in such an organization as this. I only hope that I will have the right stuff in me when the time comes for the great test as it comes to all soldiers; to either lead them to glorious victory or to die a soldier's death, with my boots on and faced toward Berlin."
Erected by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • War, World I. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1918.
Location. 35° 51.794′ N, 97° 55.949′ W. Marker is in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, in Kingfisher County. It is at the intersection of North Main Street (U.S. 81) and E Admire Ave, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street. The marker is located at the front City Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 N Main St, Kingfisher OK 73750, 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, the Louisiana Purchase, and Cherokee Outlet.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: T.G. & Y. (within shouting distance of this marker); First Drug Store in Oklahoma (within shouting distance of this marker); Peoples National Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc. (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Kingfisher (about 400 feet away); Pappe Building Grand Opera House (about 400 feet away); Bracken Building Downtown Hospital (about 500 feet away); Lame Bull of the Cheyenne (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kingfisher.
Photographed by James Hulse, September 15, 2025
2. "Apostle Paul Sykes" / Lt. Keith Lowry Marker
The view of the marker at the entrance to Kingfisher City Hall
Photographed by James Hulse, September 15, 2025
3. Apostle Paul Sykes and Lt. Keith Lowry statue
Photographed by James Hulse, September 15, 2025
4. The view of the marker and statue from across the street
Credits. This page was last revised on September 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 75 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 20, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
