March 27, 2023
By Landry Brewer
A major museum addition is ready for the public.
The new General Store on the sprawling grounds of Elk City’s Museum Complex is open for business.
In the works for a few years, the new $200,000 facility is packed with retail relics of our pioneer past.
In pioneer towns of previous centuries, general store customers could buy everything from groceries and clothes to medicine, lamps, hats, washing boards, and farm and ranch equipment.
“The general store of the late 19th and early 20th centuries became the super store of today,” said Museum Curator Charles Wren.
General stores provided a full-service experience for customers. Shoppers told the clerk what items they wanted from behind the counter, and he would produce them.
“This might even include the clerk having a butcher cut a pound of beef, then wrap it and hand it to the customer,” Wren said.
When asked to describe the general store, Wren compared it to a popular restaurant.
“It’s like the entry of a Cracker Barrel,” he said. “You pass through an area with lots of displayed remnants of previous centuries on your way to the dining area, and a general store was like that first impression.”
According to Wren, though a general store was a pioneer town’s center of commerce, it was also a place for socializing. Customers gathered around the stove or played checkers and told stories.
“And kids enjoyed the candy that was for sale,” Wren said.
The public will enjoy seeing how Elk Citians shopped more than 100 years ago.
More information about the complex’s displays and the several museums there is available at https://www.elkcity.com/city-hall/departments/elk-city-museum-complex/.
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
Free Dumping Weekend at Shamrock City Landfill – May 2 & 3
Shamrock, TX – The City of Shamrock will offer free dumping at the City Landfill during the first weekend in May. Residents may bring household items and debris for disposal at no charge on Friday, May 2
Clinton Superintendent Tyler Bridges Announces Departure for Stillwater Post
Clinton, OK — After nearly five years leading Clinton Public Schools, Superintendent Tyler Bridges is moving on. The Stillwater Board of Education voted during a special April 15 meeting to hire Bridges as the next Superintendent of
Fatal Crash Claims Life of Arapaho Woman in Custer County
Custer County, OK – A fatal single-vehicle crash occurred Tuesday morning, April 15, 2025, at approximately 9:32 a.m. on OK-47 and N 2310 Road, about seven miles west of Thomas, Oklahoma, in Custer County. According to the
SWOSU’S LPN to BSN Program Ranked 2nd in Oklahoma
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU)’s LPN to BSN program has been ranked 2nd in the state for 2025 by PracticalNursing.org. PracticalNursing.org evaluates programs across the country that offer pathways for licensed
SWOSU Announces 2025 Distinguished Alumni
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has announced its 2025 Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame honorees. Known as “SWOSU’s highest honor,” the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame was established in 1976 by
Elk City Announces Free Spring Cleanup Week at Municipal Landfill
Elk City, OK – Elk City residents can take advantage of free dumping at the Elk City Municipal Landfill from Monday, April 28 through Saturday, May 3, 2025, as part of the city’s annual spring cleanup effort.
Dayna Hardaway Named Assistant Vice President for Human Resources at SWOSU
Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), has announced the appointment of Dayna Hardaway as the institution’s next Assistant Vice President for Human Resources. Hardaway will officially begin her role on April 21, 2025, and will
Burns Flat Man Arrested on Felony Firearm Charges in Elk City
Elk City, OK — A Burns Flat man, Jerry Lee Wright, has been arrested after allegedly attempting to purchase a firearm despite being a convicted felon, according to documents filed in Beckham County District Court. Wright, 44,
Deadline to Request Absentee Ballot for May 13th Election Approaches
Cheyenne, OK – Voters in Roger Mills County who want absentee ballots mailed to them for the May 13th Special County Election should apply now, County Election Board Secretary Kelly Tice said today. Absentee ballots are available
Elk City Man Arrested After High-Speed Police Chase
Elk City, OK — A high-speed police chase through Elk City ended in an arrest just after 2 a.m. Sunday, April 8, 2025, after a suspect refused to stop for officers and endangered multiple drivers along the
Clinton Man Faces Felony Charges After High-Speed Chase in Custer County
Custer County, OK – A Clinton man is facing serious charges after a high-speed chase through Custer County on April 5, 2025. Victor Rios Jr., 41, has been charged with four counts, including a felony for endangering
Cheyenne-Arapaho Pioneer Days Returns to Hammon April 18–19 with Rodeo, Parade, Free Carnival and More
Hammon, OK — The town of Hammon is gearing up for a packed weekend of family fun during the annual Cheyenne-Arapaho Pioneer Days, set for April 18–19, 2025. The celebration kicks off Friday morning with a half
SWOSU Biology Students Visit Sam Noble Museum’s Herpetology Collection
Norman, OK – Students from the Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Biological Sciences program recently traveled to the Sam Noble Museum in Norman for an educational visit focused on reptile and amphibian biodiversity. They were accompanied by
SWOSU Chemistry Students and Faculty Present at ACS Spring Meeting
San Diego, CA – Students and faculty from the Department of Chemistry and Physics at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) recently attended the Spring 2025 National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS) in San Diego, Calif.
Elk City Police Department Hiring Full-Time Officer
Elk City, OK – The City of Elk City is currently accepting applications for a full-time police officer position. This role involves enforcing laws, preventing crime, conducting investigations, issuing citations, controlling traffic, and supporting various law enforcement
Two Ringling Residents Killed in Rollover Crash Near Sweetwater
Sweetwater, OK — A fatal crash claimed the lives of two Ringling residents Thursday afternoon near the intersection of OK-6 and N 1770 Road, about five miles east of Sweetwater. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports the crash
Mini-Golf Course Should be Big Fun
By Landry Brewer Elk City, OK – The new Ackley Park mini-golf course is on schedule for completion later this month. The 18-hole course will include a 3-hole practice green “The price will remain $3 per person
Elk City Fire Department Hiring Career Firefighter
Elk City, OK – The Elk City Fire & EMS Department is looking for its next dedicated team member. The department is now accepting applications for a Career Firefighter position. Elk City’s Fire Department is a combination
Local Texas Elections Set for May
Wheeler County, TX – Local elections are just around the corner, with key seats up for grabs in Shamrock, Wheeler, and the Parkview Hospital in Wheeler, Texas. Voters will help shape the future of their communities by
Illegal Marijuana Grow Operation Shut Down in Washita County
Dill City, OK — In a coordinated effort among local and state agencies, an illegal marijuana grow operation was successfully shut down Thursday at the intersection OK-152 and OK-44 just west of Dill City in Washita County.
Voter Registration Deadline Approaches
Cheyenne, OK – Friday, April 18th, is the last day to apply for voter registration in order to be eligible to vote in the May 13th Roger Mills County Special Election, Roger Mills County Election Board Secretary
Latest Sales Tax Numbers Shows Dip in Local Communities
Oklahoma cities have reported their April 2025 sales tax revenue figures, reflecting February sales, with varied results compared to April 2024. Some communities showed gains while others declined. Overall, the statewide city sales tax total fell from
New Elk City Mayor Sworn In
Elk City, OK – During the latest meeting of the Elk City Commission, newly elected Mayor Micah Kilhoffer was sworn into office alongside re-elected commissioners, Ward 2 Commissioner Rod Carver and Ward 3 Commissioner Rocky Andresen. Shortly
41st Annual Southwest Farm & Home Expo Set for April 12–13 in Elk City
Elk City, OK – The 41st Annual Southwest Farm & Home Expo returns to the Elk City Convention Center April 12–13, 2025, bringing two days of agriculture, education, livestock, food, and family fun to Western Oklahoma. Admission
Longtime Cloud Chief Firefighter Retires
Cloud Chief, OK – Longtime Cloud Chief Firefighter Bob Ogle has retired after 16 years of dedicated service to the community. Bob joined the Cloud Chief Fire Department in 2008, the same year the department was established,
