Francis Oklahoma Boom Town Tied to Railroad Growth
Francis Oklahoma sits among scenic pines and oaks ninety miles north of Denison and southeast of Oklahoma City. The town grew from a cotton plantation into a rail freight hub after 1900, when the St. Louis and San Francisco line made it midway between Sapulpa and Sherman. Rail employees rose from 40 to 280 as traffic expanded and surrounding land opened for farming, with lands passing from Indians to white farmers and Saturday wagon traffic illustrating its agricultural character.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Francis
Oklahoma
Denison Texas
Oklahoma City
United States
St. Louis
San Francisco
Sher- Man
Texas
Newton
Sapulpa
Sherman Texas
Francis's Growth From Tent Town To Growing City
The town began with a single stakeout and boomless growth. In 1904 about 450 residents lived here and the town was incorporated. By 1916 the census counted 972 people, and current estimates reach 1,500 with expectation to double in five years.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Francis
Francis High School Growth and Oil Drilling Near Francis
Francis stands at 1100 feet with a sunny climate and opens a modern school building in Pontotoc county. At the 1908 opening four teachers served pupil demand grew prompting an extra instructor by January. Now about 350 pupils enroll and a four year high school program supports a payroll of 20000 dollars monthly as oil drilling begins a mile and a half east of town.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Francis
Pontotoc County
Francis National Bank Opens In Francis On October 23
The Francis National Bank opens in the Richey block with paid up capital of 25000 and a full service lineup. President Dr S M Richey Vice President A Goetter and Cashier O G Rose head a directorate of well known local figures promising growth and community development in Francis.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Francis National Bank
Richey
Ofiers
S. M. Richey
A. Goetter
O. G. Rose
Jno
I. McCool
W. L. Parker
J. H. Huckins
A. G. Adams
First National Bank of
Ada
Francis
Average health maintained year round in heated seasons
A report notes that daily, year round and even in hot summers, a steady and healthy average level is kept. The wording emphasizes consistent vitality across all seasons and temperatures.
The Richey Hotel at Francis
The Richey Hotel at Francis is a credit to the city with 25 well furnished rooms. It is managed by J. H. Vickery who is popular with travelers and residents and also serves as superintendent of the town water works.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Richey
Francis
J. H. Vickery
Mr. Vickery
Gregg Bros Amusement Company opens in Francis
C W Gregg and J W Gregg recently from Ohio have started a moving picture show in Francis. They operate a clean hall with an Edison machine, showing high grade licensed films from the General Film Company. The brothers previously found success in Ohio and now run three showings a week plus a Saturday matinee.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Francis
Gregg Bros.’ Amusement Company
C. W. Gregg
J. Ww. Gregg
Oh!‘o
General Film Company
Ohio
Gregg Bros
Francis Grocery boosts community with delivery service
The Francis Grocery owned by J. C. Rushing is the town's exclusive grocer. The enterprising merchant runs a delivery wagon and enjoys a good reputation in the Francis trade area as he builds a strong business.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Francis
J. C. Rushing
Mr. Rushing
Francis Town Adverts Highlight Local Merchants
T E Miller, Druggist owner of Miller Drug Store, offers a complete drug line. Primm Dry Goods Co. praised for well kept dry goods and good prices. J A Greer runs a bakery and restaurant near the Frisco depot, inviting visits when in Francis.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mr. Miller
Miller Drug Store
Primm Dry Goods Company
Francis
J. A. Greer
Mr. Greer
Archie Perkins Blacksmith Shop Drives County Quality
Archie Perkins operates a modern blacksmith shop in his name with power machinery and excels in scientific horse shoeing and buggy work. The shop produces work unmatched in the county and Perkins is praised as a skilled mechanic and active supporter of town improvements.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Francis
Archie Perkins
Perkins
Clem Lumber Company Drives Francis Towns Growth
The Clem Lumber Company, led by manager C. W. Fisher, operates large yards near the depot supplying rough and dressed lumber, shingles, sash, doors, brick, cement, plaster and other building materials. Since 1907 the firm has modernized and expanded, becoming a key factor in the town’s upbuilding with a progressive management. Carranza is really about as independent as a porker on congealed aqua pura.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Francis
Clem Lumber Co
C. W. Fisher
Clem Lumber Company
Hastings Lumber Co
Fisher
Carranza
Chatanooga
Also Mentioned on This Page
Stall
Bird
Francis, Oklahoma
E. K. Morris
Phot Oo
NEW Bank
C. G. Rose
Ed Banking Institution
Trade Radas
Methodist
Clem Lumber Yards
THE
Richey Hotel
Gregg Bros. Amusement Company
C. W. and
J. W. Gregg
Proprietors
Frisco Railroad Yards
T. E. Miller
Siall Hochstrasser’s Vineyard
Sial
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