WHO'S WHO? WHO ARE THE PEOPLE HONORED
WITH HISTORIC SIGNAGE?

REV. DR. JOHN. A. REED, SR. 1912-2006 Street sign honoring the late Rev.Dr.J.A.Reed, Sr. was dedicated at the Martin Luther King Center on August 5, 2010. The dedication service in tribute to the long-time church and civil rights leader and brunch is sponsored by the Muskogee National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Sixth Street between Martin Luther King and Girard streets will take the honorary name Rev. J.A. Reed Avenue. Reed served Mt. Calvary Baptist Church (founded in 1907) for more than 41 years.

REV. DR. BENJAMIN W. NOBLE 1919-2011 Street sign honoring Rev. Ben Noble was dedicated at the Martin Luther King Center on August 5, 2010. The dedication service in tribute to the long-time church and civil rights leader and brunch is sponsored by the Muskogee National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Noble served as Pastor of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church for more than 55 years.

XERNONA CLAYTON BRADY Click link for entire Conversation with the Legendary Xerona Brewster Clayton Brady. A graduate of Manual Training High School in Muskogee, Clayton was an assistant of Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. and was a warrior for peace and racial equality. Her persistent fight against the dragons of prejudice and bigotry was never more apparent than in 1968, when the Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan denounced the Klan and credited Xernona's influence with his change. Ms. Clayton's dedication to the community is reflected in the many hours she spends promoting human relations through bi-racial groups devoted to improving racial understanding. A recipient of numerous media awards, Xernona has been widely honored for her contributions to humanity and for her corporate positions with Turner Broadcasting System, Founder of the Trumpet Awards and producer of an award winning documentary. Xernona Clayton Brady is an American civil rights leader and broadcasting executive. During the Civil Rights Movement, she worked for the National Urban League and Southern Christian Leadership Conference, where she became involved in the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Xernona Clayton is a civil rights leader and pioneering broadcasting executive best known as the founder and CEO of the Trumpet Awards (1993), an annual awards program televised by the TBS network and distributed internationally to over 185 countries.

BASS REEVES WALK 1838-1910 1907-1909- Bass Reeves was a Muskogee Police Officer and walked a beat along 2nd street, the Black Business strip, in accordance with Jim Crow laws of segregation that was created when Indian Territory became the U.S. State of Oklahoma. 1897-1907-U.S. Deputy Bass Reeves was headquartered in Muskogee's new Federal Court with U.S. Marshal Leo Bennett. 1889-1897-U.S. Deputy Bass Reeves was headquareted in the Paris Texas Federal Court. 1875-1889-U.S. Deputy Bass Reeves was headquarted in the Fort Smith Federal Court under Judge Isaac Parker.

TOUR STARTING POINT: ELGIN & SOUTH 2ND STREET 3 RIVERS MUSEUM

AVALON B. REECE 1927-2017 Avalon B. Reece served as a member of the Muskogee City Council. As such, she was the first Black councilwoman in Oklahoma. She was an encourager and often saw in people what they didn't see in themselves. Avalon was a leader and a trailblazer who established a statewide legacy for Muskogee, Oklahoma. Avalon was appointed by Governor George Nigh to a nine-year term with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for which she served as chair. Miss Reece was well known as the Manual Training High School band director and was recognized for many years as the first and only female band director of any race at the high school level in Oklahoma. Under her leadership, the band was renowned and many of her students achieved high musical acclaim in jazz, pop, and church music. Miss Reece moved from teacher and band director to Manual Training High School counselor from 1967-1970 and upon desegregation of schools continued counseling at Muskogee High School from fall of 1970 until her retirement in 1993. Miss Reece was honored as a Legacykeepersrus LEGEND in 2017 posthumously.

APOSTLE DR. LATHAN ARCHIE 1960-2015 Apostle Archie was a community servant, with a dynamic commitment to the youth, community development and training, special events bringing celebrity guests with Praise in the Park and a vast use of his Gifts from God displaying his passion for souls and bringing peace to many. He could never say no to anyone in need. Pastor of Faith Deliverance Christian Center in Muskogee and in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.

REV. RALPH EMERSON BOYATTIA 1951-2012 PASTOR-NEW JERUSELUM BAPTIST CHURCH Although an Air Force retiree, Ralph's greatest passion was teaching and ministering to others. Ralph believed that Christianity is practical and is evidenced in a life of service. Ralph was a Licensed Pastoral Counselor and a Certified Temperament Counselor with the National Christian Counselors Association. He is a member of several organizations, including the Christian Ministers Union, Treasurer of the Muskogee Ministerial Alliance, NAACP, served on the Parks and Recreation Board, and is on the board at Bacone College. Ralph also served as an instructor for the Oklahoma School of Religion and as a Christian Ministry counselor at Bacone College. He has degrees in Sociology and Christian Ministry from Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, and Bacone College, Muskogee, Oklahoma.

TUSKEGEE AIRMAN DR. ROBERT CECIL B. SMITH MD 1925-1992 DR. SMITH is recognized with a monument in a place of honor on the south end of Booker T. Washington Cemetery in Muskogee, Oklahoma. 2 other Tuskegee Airmen are also interred in same cemetery. The Tuskegee Airmen were the first all-black military pilot group to fight in WW2. They formed the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group. Dr. Smith graduated from Tuskegee University in 1945 as a Flight Officer. Graduated from University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in 1956 and established his General Practice office in 1959. Dr. Smith was known as the best "diagnostician" around and ran a successful medical practice right up til his death.

TUSKEGEE AIRMAN 2nd LT. FAYTHE ANDREW MCGINNIS 1917-1942 On July 3, 1942, Faythe became a lieutenant in the 99th Fighter Squadron which was equipped with P-40 Warhawks. This unit was formed and trained in Tuskegee, Alabama and its men became known as the Tuskegee Airmen who went on to prove blacks were just as good as flyers as white pilots. On September 12, 1942 he crashed his P-40E Warhawk #40-430 into Soughalachoe Creek during a routine flight out of the Tuskegee flight training base in Alabama. He was the first casualty suffered by the 99th Fighter Squadron. His mother had been visiting with him at the time, to celebrate his new commission as a pilot and lieutenant. McGinnis is buried in BTWashington Cemetery in Muskogee, OK where Highway 69 (northbound and southbound) signs are posted in his honor between Hilltop & Shawnee Bypass.

JIM PAUL BLAIR 1961-2020 click image for LARGER view The former executive director of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in Muskogee, Blair served on the boards of the Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival, Red Dirt Relief Fund and Muskogee Medical Center Authority. "He was an Oklahoma gem," said Blake Parks, co-founder of the Oklahoma City bluegrass band Steelwind. "He wasn't just supportive of us. He was always supporting everybody that he could." Born in Texas and raised in Oklahoma, Blair grew up in a musical family as the son of 2009 Oklahoma Music Hall of Famer Ramona Reed, a Grand Ole Opry performer and member of Bob Wills' Texas Playboys. Blair was the founder of the G-Fest, a large music festival, spotlighting national and local talent.He was a talented songwriter, musician and singer who loved to entertain.

MERLE RONALD HAGGARD 1937-2016 Originally a troubled youngster who served time in San Quentin prison, Merle Haggard grew to become a country music legend. Merle Ronald Haggard was an American country music singer, songwriter, guitarist, and fiddler. Haggard was born in Oildale, California, toward the end of the Great Depression. His childhood was troubled after the death of his father, and he was incarcerated several times in his youth. In 1968 Merle and Chad Burris, penned the now famous "Proud to be an Okie from Muskogee" song at the Muskogee Civic Center. Named Number 1 country song honored by the CMT. Haggard was one of the first inductees in the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame located in Muskogee.

EVELYN HIBBS Hibbs is the Exective Director at WISH Women in safe home inc.Hundreds of men and women put on high heels on Thursday to show support for domestic violence victims. The event is put on by WISH, or Women in Safe Homes, a domestic violence shelter in Muskogee. While it might be an uncomfortable mile, it's an important one. A lot different than shoes and boots,a lot different, said Warner High School student. The city council agreed in August to name Broadway Street Evelyn Hibbs Boulevard in honor of Hibbs' 36 years fighting Domestic Violence and sexual assault and fighting for women's rights.

ROBERT FRANK NEWTON AKA"SMOKEHOUSE BOB" 1939-2020 In 1967 with his wife Frankie, they opened Green Country Fruit and Vegetable Market at 1100 N. 11th Street in Muskogee. Later it would become Smokehouse Bob's BBQ til 2017 when he retired. Parents of community youth often sent them to Robert to be taught the value of hard work. He also offered many youngsters their first job where they learned work ethic and teamwork. But most of all he found great fulfillment in serving organizations, schools, and universities to benefit his community. He also generously donated turkeys and hams to families during the holidays and the annual historical Juneteenth celebration where he served free barbeque for years.. Robert was featured in Southern Living magazine and the book BBQ Joints: Stories and Secret Recipes from the Barbeque, featuring his barbeque and amazing sweet potato pie. In 2018, Newton and his wife, Frankie, were honored as Legacy Keepers at the Legacy Keepers R Us bruncheon. He also was honored by Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority for having the longest lasting African American-owned restaurant in Muskogee.

JEFFERSON HIGHWAY HISTORIC MUSKOGEE ROUTE The International Highway from Winnipeg to New Orleans; "From The Pines to the Palms." aka The JH. Walter Parker of New Orleans was elected Secretary of the International Jefferson Highway Association in November 1915. He wrote a number of letters encouraging other members and businessmen to attend the International Jefferson Highway Association meetings. Muskogee is a central point along the JH, midway between Winnipeg and New Orleans,with a Tourist Camp for it's travelers.

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KATE FRANK MANOR 1890-1982 Kate Frank was a Missouri-born, Oklahoma teacher who taught for nearly 50 years. She was instrumental in the founding of the Oklahoma Education Association, served as its first president, and later, donated the initial monies for the trust that became a legal defense fund for educators. She served as vice president of the National Education Association in the 1940s and was the first national Retired Teacher of the Year recipient. Honored by many awards, she was inducted into the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame in 1983. Ms Frank was also inducted into the Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame. Kate Frank Apartments offers senior housing with 25 floor plans, including studios, 1 bedroom, or 2 bedroom apartment homes for rent in Muskogee, OK.

REV. DON E.DUMAS Dean's Chapel Baptist Church has a focus on spiritual growth and fellowship, the church offers regular services, events, and programs to support individuals in their faith journey. Rev. Dumas has served as Pastor for 40 years.

CENTRAL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH REV. DR. RAY K. GAINES This church is on the National Historical Preservation Register. Central Baptist Church was first organized before statehood in the fall of 1901. Rev, F.K. White and eight charter members, whose names were not recorded, met in the Bailey Hall at 3rd and Fremont Street to organize the new church. Property was later purchased at 515 North 4th Street, where a small frame building was constructed for worship services. It was in 1908, under the leadership of Rev. G. L. Prince, that a beautiful, new brick building was completed, with Rev. Prince doing much of the carpentry work himself. The small, frame building was moved and added to the back of the new church. It was in 1985, under the pastorate of Rev. White, that the City of Muskogee bought the church building and property to build the Arrowhead Mall. Ray K. Gaines served his country honorably for over 20 years. He was a Vietnam War Veteran, serving in the United States Army as a Staff Seargent for two tours, earning two Bronze Stars with "V" device. He was a part of the Air Calvary from 1956 to 1982. He also worked for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for 10 years. After being called into the ministry, his first Church was Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Tullahassee, Oklahoma in 1983. After 11 years, in 1993, he was called to Pastor Central Missionary Baptist Church in Muskogee, where he Pastored until his health failed.

HISTORIC Y-BUSINESS DISTRICT the only African American historic district in Muskogee, the Y District. Named for the y intersection formed by Military Drive, Martin Luther King St. (formerly Fondulac), and Emporia, the area featured Wheatley Elementary School (1929); McIntosh Nursing Home, one of the largest black owned nursing homes operating in the state; the popular Stella's Beautorium and the equally well known Earnest Edwards Barber Shop. The Y district is bounded by the old railroad right-of-way on the north (now a bike trail), and Martin Luther King Street between 20th and 24th Streets on the south.

KENDALL PLACE HISTORIC DISTRICT Kendall Place Historical Preservation, Inc. is a non-profit dedicated to promoting, preserving, and protecting Muskogee's history, one house at a time. Kendall Place was established in 1894 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.

FOUNDERS PLACE HISTORIC DISTRICT From 1903 to 1951, The Founders; Place Historic District (on the National Registry of historical places)is an excellent representation of the residential development of Muskogee from the allotment of land with the passage of the Curtis Act in 1896 through Oklahoma's adoption into statehood in 1907 then lastly into the first half of the 20th century. Founders' Place is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving its historic integrity, improving its property and promoting a better quality of life for all its residents. Our boundaries are 12th - 17th Sts. and Okmulgee to MLK.

EBON SEKOU LURKS Sekou Lurks' family called him Cookie. He was the one who made everybody else laugh. He was the youngest of Hattie Lurks' four children. "I really spoiled him, he was kinda like a momma's boy." That's why Hattie Lurks begged her son not to help the FBI go after drug dealers. But, he said the money helped support his young sons and he was doing it for good, not because he had too. The US Attorney said,"This kid is not a snitch, he was a cooperating witness. He was not under the thumb of the law. He was just trying to help by providing information." In fact, Sekou helped police arrest a number of major crack dealers. But Sekou was murdered before he could testify. Someone lured Sekou out of him home on January 28th, 1998, and then shot him three times with a shotgun. He ran, but only made it 75 feet before he died.

LOCATED IN FRONT OF MUSKOGEE POLICE DEPARTMENT

SIGNAGE COMING SOON

TUSKEGEE AIRMAN 2ND LT. OSCAR D. HUTTON, JR. 1943 Like many of the Tuskegee Airmen, 2nd Lt. Oscar D. Hutton Jr. was highly educated, earning his master's degree at the University of Chicago. On July 18, the 332nd Fighter Group was sent to escort bombers to an airfield in Memmingen, Germany. When the 66 P-51 Mustang pilots arrived at the rendezvous point, the bombers they were to meet weren't there. The fighter pilots circled the area; they spotted the bombers and a swarm of 30 enemy planes at the same time. More than 20 of the P-51 pilots rushed toward the Messerschmitt 109s to break up the attack. The bombers and the rest of the fighters continued toward the target. Near Kempten, Germany, about 25 miles from the target, 30 more enemy planes were spotted. Four of them rushed to attack the bombers; the P-51 pilots fought back. In all, nine pilots were credited with destroying 12 enemy planes that day. But three men were reported missing: Hutton and Lt. Wellington Irving were last seen over Memmingen, and Lt. Gene C. Browne was forced to crash-land and was captured. Hutton is buried/memorialized in Booker T Washington Cemetery in Muskogee, OK.

ROXY NEON MARQUEE 1948-ART HOUSE THEATER Originally opened in 1948 as a movie theater, the ROXY re-opened in August 2001 as a multi-purpose venue. With a seating capacity of 300, the ROXY is an ideal venue for Movie Festivals, Private Parties, Events, Concerts, Movie Showings, Professional Touring Acts or Local Talent Showcases. Headquarters for the Oklahoma Movie Hall of Fame and the Bare Bones International Film & Music Festival.

REV. SOLOMON SIR JONES 1869-1936 Rev. Jones was a builder of churches, a businessman, community leader, a newspaper editor, and an amateur filmmaker. He produced 29 silent B&W 16mm films documenting the Black communities in Oklahoma depicting everyday life between 1924 & 1928. He showed them at churches and wherever he had a platform to speak. These films were sold to Yale University by Langston University's historian; Currie Ballard, who acquired them from an antique dealer along with a screen and projector. It was a Bell & Howell Film camera that was newly released. Rev. Solomon Sir Jones is interred in the overgrown Harding Memorial/Lowes Cemetery in Muskogee.