Brinkman Community History

Brinkman Community History. . Pioneers came to this area in the 1890's to homestead land. A diverse group settled in the Brinkman area with most coming from Texas, as well as a significant influx of immigrants from Lebanon. These hearty pioneers braved adversities including drought, extreme heat, bitter cold, insects, and dust storms to cultivate the rich prairie land into a modern farming community., Brinkman was platted in 1910 when the rails of the Wichita Falls and Northwest Railroad were extended north from Altus. The post office opened June 17 that same year with rural service leading west from Brinkman beginning in 1912. Brinkman, originally called Kell, was renamed after resident John Brinkman, a business associate of railroad builders Joseph Kemp and Frank Kell, who paid the expenses of platting the site, was surrounded by fertile land, and the prospects for the community as an agricultural center were bright. The first settlers sought to attract others by building a good school system as well as commercial businesses and activities., Brinkman had its period of greatest importance in the 1920's when its population swelled to over 250 people. It was a marketing center for wheat, cotton and livestock. There were two grain elevators, four cotton gins and holding pens for shipping livestock. In addition to the grocery and dry good stores there were cafes, drug stores, service stations, a lumber yard and barber shops. The town also had three churches (Baptist, Church of Christ, Methodist), a bank, three doctors, hotel, telephone system, blacksmith shops, coal and feed store, loan and insurance companies, furniture store, jewelry store, pool hall, newspaper, golf course, and a water system. Natural gas was brought to the community in 1927., During the summer of 1929, fire destroyed the north half of the business district. That along with the start of the Great Depression and extreme drought, most businesses did not rebuild. Then in the early 1930's the bank closed and merged with one in Mangum. Brinkman weathered the 1918 flu epidemic, as well as other hardships and adversities but could not recover from the decline that started in late 1929. Finally, on Dec. 30, 1965, the post office closed. The railroad that started the town was abandoned in 1972 and in 1974 the tracks were removed. Brinkman is left with one grain elevator, Planters Co-Op, which still serves the community today., Brinkman School 1910 - 1957 , The citizens of Brinkman, in February 1910 determined the newly formed town needed a school. The consolidation of Prosperity, a two room school S.W. of town and Plainview, a one room school, N.E. of town was accomplished in April of that same year. That summer those buildings were moved to Brinkman and 4 teachers were hired in preparation for the 150 students that would be attending the 1910 inaugural Brinkman Bulldogs school year. The newly formed 27 square mile district was the first consolidated school in Greer County (C. No. 1.) and was one of the first consolidated schools in the state. Also in 1910 a $12,000 bond issue was passed allowing the 1911 school year to start in a new three story brick building containing 10 rooms with 5 teachers. In 1925 as the community thrived the school reached its maximum enrollment of 450 students and 10 teachers., In the early 30's the population began to decline. Some of the contributing factors were the Great Depression, drought, Dust Bowl, consolidation of farms, introduction of modern farming equipment, smaller families, and World War II. During this time many families moved away to seek other means of making a living. In spite of these adversities a new school was built thanks to Pres. Roosevelt's Work Progress Administration (WPA) Program. This modern facility was opened for the 1936-37 school year with 16 classrooms, auditorium, Supt's office, a new gym, and indoor plumbing, (a first for many students)., Eastview (C. No. 5) consolidated with Brinkman in 1949 which allowed the school to stay open 8 more years. The Okla. Legislature passed a law in 1957 requiring the average daily attendance for a high school to be increased from 30 to 50 students. After being the cornerstone of the community for 47 years Brinkman School closed in 1957 proudly graduating all seven seniors., The Brinkman Alumni Association was organized in 1922 and has met annually for the past 90 years., Cemetery , "Gone But Not Forgotten" , Oldest Headstone Dated 1905, Brinkman Post Office , June 17, 1910 - December 30, 1965, Brinkman , Thank you for putting your loving arms around so many lives and providing unforgettable memories that will never grow old. We are forever thankful for the pioneer spirit, hard work, and Christian heritage that you provided us. We can only hope that each person enjoying this monument will at sometime have a Brinkman to remember., Dedication , We dedicate this historical marker to the memory of the ambitious pioneers who through their dreams, perseverance, and determination established this community. The spirit of these men and women still lives in our hearts today.