Osage County, Oklahoma, History:  Chamber boasts successful and

long history in Skiatook



Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:

Skiatook Journal from

Skiatook Fall Newcomers Guide and Chamber of Commerce

Membership Directory 2001

Published by the Skiatook Journal

August 15, 2001

Copyright 2001 Rutherford Publications, Inc.

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Mr. A.E. Townsend, first Mayor of Skiatook, founded a Commercial Club in 1905.  

Eventually, the Commercial Club evolved into the Chamber of Commerce.



Many changes have occurred throughout the history of the Commercial Club/

Chamber in Skiatook.  The Oct. 25, 1923 edition of the newspaper listed 120 

new members joined the chamber during the membership drive.  Wally Reed, a 

long-time Skiatook resident and businessman, said there was also a time in 

the 1960s when the Chamber had only five members.



During the early years, the Chamber and Town of Skiatook, along with other 

organizations, worked together to bring water and electricity to Skiatook.  

They also sought road improvements and through political lobbying managed to 

get "paved" roads from Skiatook to Tulsa and eventually, State Highway 20, 

which runs east and west through Skiatook.



The early-day Chamber also sponsored agriculture tours and the 

Farmer-Merchant Banquets.



As a result of getting water to Skiatook, the Chamber created Spavinaw Water 

Day, the forerunner of Progress Day, which eventually became the current 

Pioneer Day celebration.  The event was changed to Pioneer Day in 1966 and 

the programs for that year sold for 25 cents each.  A copy of this first 

Pioneer Day program along with others, is on display at the Skiatook Museum.  

In addition, photos of the celebrations all the way back to Spavinaw Day are 

available for view.



Former presidents of the Skiatook Chamber of Commerce have included, not 

necessarily in order:  A.W. Lucas, L.L. Wiles, Frank Cochran, Carl Brinlee, 

Jack Kern, Ed McCarty, Dr. R.K. Goodard, Roy Spafford, Phillis Strange, 

Jim Patrick, Ed Barnett, Jack Foland, Vick Massey, Gene Dennison, 

Dr. Fred Sims, Bill Murdock, Dr. Rudolph Wolf, Scott Baker, Bill Thompson.



Others were:  V.M. Parks, Dee Waid, Dr. Geral Roberson, Irvin Stanke, 

Monte Lovvorn, Cecil Watson, J.M. Patrick, Don Gaddy, Debbie Kendall, 

Gene Overlease, Jack Hisaw, Mike Hulsey, Jeannie Reyckert, Jimmy Fisher, 

Debbie Cook, Edd Garrett, Judy Holden, Steve Blockcolski, Pierre LeVeque, 

Chuck Allred, Steve Moyer, Bill Green and Gary Yarbrough.



Until 1995, when the first paid part-time secretary was hired, the officers 

and directors of the Chamber were responsible for answering the mail, 

holding meetings and organizing all events.



In June of 1999, Lucy Herring gave the Chamber the old barber shop building

located west of the Skiatook Library to the Chamber for an office.  She made

the gift in memory of her late husband, Earl Herring, who was a long-time 

active member of the Skiatook Chamber prior to his death.



Renovations of the building were completed in the fall of 2000, and the 

Chamber offices were moved into the new site in December.



Beginning July 1, 1999, Hannah Park was hired as the Chamber's Administrative

Secretary on a full time basis.  As of January 2001, Hannah resigned and 

Judy Martens was hired as the new Administrative Secretary.



The 2001 officers are:  president, Omar Bayouth, Exchange Bank; 

1st vice-president, Cathy Coody, Gordona Duca Realtors; 

treasurer, Tom Merrell, American Bank of Oklahoma; and 

past president, Bill Green, RCB Bank.



Current directors are:  Tim Hutto, Edward Jones investments; Cliff Taylor, 

Taylor Motors; Blu Hulsey, Town of Skiatook Economic Development Specialist; 

Dr. Jody Barkley, Chiropractic Health & Wellness Center; Jeff Jones, 

Jones Law Office; and Leah Villanella, Coldwell Bankers.



For more information, call the Chamber at 396-3702, e-mail at 

jmartens@skiatookchamber.com or visit the Chamber website at 

www.skiatookchamber.com.