Transformation of Downtown Seminole

          There is a transformation of what was the Seminole of old, from Tidmore, Oklahoma Indian Territory, to one of the biggest Boom Towns in the history of these United States, Seminole, Oklahoma. Keep your eyes open and you will be filled with pride. Walk into Kalico Kitchen. That was once the entrance of Matthews Grocery, co-owned by Winford Fizer Matthews, Sr. and James Newton Harber. First Nat’l Bank was owned by Harber—his In-Law was my grandfather. The exit was at about the old Hammons Men’s Wear front, also life-long friends of grandpa. J.N. Harber bailed. Grandpa bought him out, both transplants from Izard Co., AR, parent County of Baxter County, of Grisso fame. Of the families that started this experiment, there were the families of Chase, Harber, Matthews, Seay, Noe, etc.  They began this town, along with the Matthews family, their In-Laws, all of which married the daughters and granddaughters of Robert Calvin Matthews, my G-G-Grandfather.

          An entity is preserving all of this. The Grisso, Worth, Pat’s Café, Corral Room, Hideaway Bar, along with my Grandfather’s second store, now Seminole Discount Store, has been renovated. Underway is the American Legion Hut, now being brought back to its original integrity. The gas station at “Crazy Corner” is underway, providing a Full Service gas station and relevant products. If you frequent these locations, you will be a part of our history. The Crazy Corner is one of the original borders of the original Seminole, now being bordered by “South of the Tracks”.

          The old American Legion Hut is no exception. It has been brought back to its original integrity. On Saturday was a birthday party. There will be another, this coming Saturday and the next. The 1967 50 year Reunion may have an event there this September.  Excitement is back if you will.

          If you go to Bumpy Brick, you will feel the original spirit of our predecessors. I promise that. Pat’s was a local haunt. The Worth Hotel had an altogether different market niche’. We danced in the basement of the Grisso at the Corral Room. The Hideaway Bar was unknown to almost all of us. If you venture there, you will sense the history, you will feel it. You will become a part of that history.

          The very beginning of the history is at hand. I knew all of these originals. Go shake their hands, spend time at their haunts, tell them thank you and especially thank those who are bringing you back to them—they will smile upon you. If you venture into Seminole Discount Liquor, envision my grandfather at the counter, butchering his own meats, a pickle barrel, a cracker barrel and local products from local farmers in audience. His smile would make you smile. I sure do miss him and I sure do miss that time in Seminole, the “Miracle City”.