May 18, 2023
By Landry Brewer
The Old Town Museum is reminding the public of a time when locals prepared for nuclear war.
In November 2020, SWOSU-Sayre history professor Landry Brewer helped Tom Ivester, City Manager of Elk City, transfer several of the city’s decades-old Cold War civil defense supplies to the Oklahoma Historical Society. Brewer provided some of the remaining artifacts used for the display that was recently placed in the Military Room inside of the Old Town Museum.
Brewer collaborated with museum curator Charles Wren to provide the museum’s new display.
“The display is fresh and interesting,” Wren said. “We got through the Cold War without a nuclear war, but a renewed threat in Russia and Eastern Europe makes the topic of nuclear war survival relevant.”
The display features items that the federal government provided to Elk City in the early 1960s, including water barrels, food, sanitation kits, and radioactivity monitoring devices, and part of a civil defense siren that would have warned locals of a nuclear attack is also included.
The 1961 Berlin Crisis war scare began when President John F. Kennedy met Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev in Vienna, Austria, that June. Khrushchev issued a six-month deadline for the United States presence in the western portion of the German capital to end, or the result would likely be nuclear war.
“The federal government began a nationwide program then to identify existing buildings to be used as public fallout shelters and stock them with supplies,” Brewer said.
Brewer also said that as part of this program, the federal fallout shelter sign—one of which is included in the display—was created to be placed on buildings that met the federal government’s criteria, and these would be stocked with survival supplies.
The Elk City fallout shelter supplies that Brewer used for the display were a result of this program.
Last October was the 60th anniversary of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, when President Kennedy learned that the Soviet Union was placing missiles in Cuba capable of reaching the United States with nuclear bombs.
“This was the closest that the United States and the Soviet Union came to nuclear war, and newspapers in Elk City and Altus and even the SWOSU student newspaper in Weatherford carried stories about civil defense measures being taken to possibly survive,” Brewer said.
As with the rest of the nation, fallout shelters were identified and stocked in western Oklahoma’s cities, including Elk City.
When the Cold War ended after the Soviet Union disbanded in the early 1990s, many civil defense supplies were placed in storage and, eventually, thrown away.
Wren’s assistant also created a virtual component with VoiceOver for iPhone and TalkBack for Android for the benefit of individuals with sight or hearing limitations by accessing a posted QR code which takes visitors to https://elkcitymuseumcomplex.weebly.com/exhibit.html.
Wren plans to add a virtual component to other museum displays as well.
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
OSBI Investigates Homicide in Clinton
OSBI Press Release Clinton, OK – On March 4, 2025, the Clinton Police Department requested the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to assist in a homicide investigation. Just before 12:30 a.m., officers responded to a shots fired
Dobson Fiber commits to fiber internet expansion in Burns Flat
Press Release Dobson Fiber announces another multi-million-dollar expansion of its fiber internet offering with a groundbreaking in Burns Flat, Okla. today with city officials. “Having served Oklahomans since 1936, we are excited to introduce the Burns Flat
Man Jailed for Fatal Elk City Crash Tied to Massive Human Trafficking Operation
Federal prosecutors have connected a man, already jailed for a fatal crash in Beckham County, to a large-scale human trafficking operation that smuggled 20,000 migrants. Authorities say the operation moved migrants from Guatemala through Mexico and into
Pharmacy Grads from SWOSU Lead in NAPLEX Results, Hodge Center Progresses
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) College of Pharmacy continues to set a high standard for pharmacy education, with its May 2024 graduates achieving a 93.8% first-time pass rate on the
Winners of SWOSU’s 3rd Annual Anatomage Tournament Announced
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – The Department of Allied Health Sciences at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) recently hosted its 3rd annual Anatomage Tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, bringing together 48 teams from 24 high schools
SWOSU and Rotary Club of Weatherford Announce Spring 2025 World Languages Scholar
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) and the Weatherford Rotary Club have selected Mesa Darlene Flippo the newest SWOSU-Weatherford Rotary Club World Languages Scholar. Flippo is a Freshman at SWOSU from Geary,
SWOSU Junior Honored as 2025 George Nigh Scholar
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Adreana Aquino, a junior at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), has been named a recipient of the George and Donna Nigh Public Service Scholarship and participated in the George and Donna
SWOSU Pharmacy Faculty Present at KLE International Pharm D Colloquium
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Dr. Sarah Yount and Dr. Hardeep S. Saluja from the SWOSU College of Pharmacy participated in the KLE International Pharm D Colloquium. The event was jointly hosted by KLE College of
New Mexico Man Charged with Aggravated Drug Trafficking in Custer County
Custer County, OK — A Las Cruces, New Mexico man is facing serious drug trafficking charges in Oklahoma after authorities say he was caught with a significant quantity of methamphetamine. According to court documents filed in Custer
Texas Fugitive Arrested in Custer County
Custer County, OK — A Texas fugitive accused of probation violation related to a child sexual assault case has been charged in Custer County, Oklahoma. According to court documents filed on February 19, 2025, Jess Lee Kolander,
Deadline Approaching to Request Absentee Ballots for April 1st Election in Roger Mills County
Roger Mills County, OK – Roger Mills County voters who plan to vote absentee in the April 1st Board of Education and Municipal General Election should submit their requests as soon as possible, according to County Election
Teacher Training Fund Established at SWOSU
Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has announced the receipt of a major charitable gift from Ms. Marilyn Allred of Oklahoma City. This generous philanthropic contribution will be used to establish an endowment that will
SWOSU to Host 1985 Lady Bulldogs National Champions Basketball Team
Weatherford, OK – A 40th anniversary celebration and reunion honoring the Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) 1985 NAIA undefeated Championship Women’s Basketball Team will be held on March 1, 2025, at the Pioneer Event Center on the
Voter Registration Deadline Approaching for April 1 Elections
Oklahoma residents who wish to vote in the upcoming April 1, 2025, Board of Education and municipal elections must register by Friday, March 7, 2025. This is the final day to submit a voter registration application to
Elk City Parents Arrested for Child Neglect After Toddler Found Wandering Naked in Freezing Temperatures
Elk City, OK — Two Elk City parents have been arrested on child neglect charges after their three-year-old daughter was found wandering outside naked in below-freezing temperatures. The investigation revealed severe living conditions, leading to both parents
Texas Man Wanted in Beckham County on Child Exploitation Charges
Elk City, OK – A Texas man is facing multiple felony charges after an investigation by Homeland Security and local law enforcement linked him to child exploitation and sexual assault in Elk City. Bryan Devin Cruz, 34,
Elk City House Fire Quickly Contained
Elk City, OK – At about 11:30 a.m. Friday, firefighters rushed to the 900 block of Halsey Drive after receiving a call about a house fire. Engine 3, A-shift arrived to find heavy smoke billowing from the
The Price of Progress
By Landry Brewer Elk City, OK – As Elk City’s Downtown Construction Project moves into its next phase, downtown businesses are doing their best to meet shoppers’ needs. Crews completed work at Main & 7th and have
Clinton Man Arrested for Attempted Burglary in Custer County
Clinton, OK – A Clinton man was arrested on February 7th after allegedly attempting to break into a residence on South 5th Street, according to court documents filed in Custer County. Jesse Moses Boyd, 20, is facing
Clinton Man Charged with Aggravated Drug Trafficking in Custer County
Custer County, OK – A Clinton man is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after a traffic stop led to a significant drug bust in Custer County. Bradley Allen Cometsevah, 46, has been charged with aggravated trafficking
SWOSU Digital Commons Reaches Two Million Downloads
Weatherford, OK – As the SWOSU Digital Commons is about to reach its nine-year anniversary, downloads for the entire collection have surpassed the two million mark for the institutional repository at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU). As
ECPD Announces Multiple Arrests in Child Neglect and Abuse Cases, Urges Community Vigilance
Elk City, OK – The Elk City Police Department has announced multiple arrests in connection with two separate child neglect and abuse cases over the weekend. Authorities say these incidents have raised significant concerns about child safety
Sales Tax Revenue Sees Modest Growth Across Oklahoma Cities
Oklahoma cities have reported their December 2024 sales tax revenue figures, with mixed results compared to December 2023. While some cities saw a slight increase, others experienced a decline. The statewide total showed a modest increase of
Elk City Fire Department Now Hiring Paramedics
Elk City, OK – The Elk City Fire & EMS Department is actively recruiting paramedics for a dedicated paramedic-only position. This is an excellent opportunity for experienced EMTs looking to advance their careers or for licensed paramedics
SWOSU to Host Pharmacy Day for High School Students
Weatherford, OK – The SWOSU College of Pharmacy will be hosting a Pharmacy Day for high school students on Friday, March 28th from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This program will consist of hands-on, interactive lab activities
