Email cimarroncountychamber@gmail.com. Let's create a digital time capsule of this unforgettable year. - Read all about it each week right here! Click on the right for drop-down
1977 brought the first Hee Haw “Cimarron County Style” Show
Chuck Hawkins was the driver behind this. The idea was brainstormed after a Chamber noon meeting in the Farm Bureau.
Ann Miller was cooking those delicious meals for Chamber at that time. (Ann Miller was the 1983 Pioneer Queen).
Chuck and Judy Geyer started discussing the idea of a Hee Haw Show. Chuck and Sandy Hawkins and Judy Geyer put the first show together from Hee Haw magazines. Our script was a little rough, with not much detail. We had 11 Band members with No Leader. Band practices began in February for a June show.
It’s pretty safe to say it was unknown what would happen or if would be the First and Only Show. Word has it that Geno Boyd and Capp Williams, band members got together and agreed “it was gonna be a wreck”. But they were hooked after the first show and faithful band guys till the end.
We got a 6:30 pm slot on Friday night of Trail Daze. We hoped at the best 300 to 400 people might accidentally come. Jerry Turner was peeking out the curtain at 6:30 pm “they’re still comin” and got real nervous about being on stage. We were thrilled as 800 plus was the count, admission was $1 and the “Hee Haw gate was always used to help fund SFTD.
“Not a Stop Light in the County”
Now about Boise City's establishment in 1908 by Southwestern Immigration and Development Company of Guthrie, Oklahoma composed of J. E. Stanley,
A. J. Kline and W. T. Douglas.
The men platted the town and sold about 3,000 lots for $45 each to people mostly in states far enough away that the prospective buyers were not likely to come see the area and see that the brochures were mostly fabrications. They showed rivers, paved streets, many trees, houses and businesses and sidewalks. Actually a windmill stood in the center of the townsite (where the courthouse is located), one concrete block building and one half block strip of cement sidewalk was about it. Also claimed that three railroads were coming through Boise City and 45-bushel corn and one bale cotton per acre were normal.
In addition to publicizing their pipe dreams as facts, they didn't even have a clear title to the lots they sold. The men were arrested in September 1909. They had grossly misrepresented Boise City and Cimarron County. It was claimed they had made $75,000 out of the deal.
The verdict was "guilty!". Douglas was critically ill and died before going to prison. Stanley and Kline were sentenced to two years in Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary in March 1912. Stanley was the super salesman and was released on parole in 19l3. Kline died in prison.
#SFTD #50100 #Oklahoma #santafe #SantaFeTrail #history #roadtrip #fraudulent @SantaFeTrailDaze #Swindle
~Credit Norma Gene Butterbaugh Young
The newspaper clips are courtesy of Cimarron News.
email cimarroncountychamber@gmail.com. Let's create a digital time capsule of this unforgettable year.
12/20/24 𝐅r𝐢d𝐚y F𝐚c𝐭s a𝐧d F𝐚b𝐥e𝐬 - What Oklahoma city was bombed during WWII?
12/13/24 -𝐅r𝐢d𝐚y F𝐚c𝐭s a𝐧d F𝐚b𝐥e𝐬 - The auditorium was filled for the Hee Haw Event with 800 nightly, Friday and Saturday.
Tell us your fact and fable of Hee Haw in the comments below 👇Share a photo if you have one.
𝔹𝕠𝕚𝕤𝕖 ℂ𝕚𝕥𝕪'𝕤 ℂ𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕟𝕚𝕒𝕝 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕋𝕣𝕒𝕚𝕝 𝔻𝕒𝕫𝕖'𝕤 𝔾𝕠𝕝𝕕𝕖𝕟 𝔸𝕟𝕟𝕚𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕒𝕣𝕪: Boise City is turning 100.
𝗦𝙝𝚊𝕣𝕖 𝕐𝒐𝘂𝙧 𝐓𝚛𝘢𝖎𝗹 𝐷𝐚𝐳𝕖 𝓣𝑎𝒍𝓮𝙨 for the 50th Anniversary!
We're looking for the most fun, quirky, and downright amazing stories from past festivals.
𝗦𝔥𝐚𝗿𝚎 𝒀𝕠𝙪𝑟 𝗣𝘩ℴ𝑡𝘰𝘀
We want to see your best Trail Daze photos! Post them on social media using the hashtag #BoiseCity100 and #TrailDaze50.
Or email cimarroncountychamber@gmail.com. Let's create a digital time capsule of this unforgettable year.
#Oklahoma #centential #celebrate #photo #storytelling
L-R Nancy, Kathy, Judy, Stan, and Sandy (stay tuned for more Facts and Fables)
Aviation in Boise City
Boise City, Oklahoma Aviation 2025 - Courtesy Stan Manske
Like most communities, early aviation enthusiasts found a flat spot on the edge of town and made it the community airstrip. The first one in Cimarron County was on pasture land about a mile west of Boise City. It was occasionally used for training and emergencies by pilots from the Army Air Force stationed in Dalhart, Texas. That use ended when the property sold and the new owner broke it out for planting crops. The airstrip was then relocated to a spot north of Boise City and a hanger was constructed there.
Soon thereafter the airstrip was relocated to the present site of the Boise City Municipal Airport. In 1943, three local businessmen, John Atkins, Carl G. Etling, and E. B. McMahan purchased forty acres three miles north of Boise City and dedicated it as an airport. A dirt airstrip 2,600 feet long was graded diagonally across the land.
In the 1950s the adjoining 320 acres of land were purchased by Millard Fowler (a Boise City pilot and agri-businessman) a land trade was made with the town of Boise City to realign the airstrip to its current 4-22 orientation and to extend the runway to 3,820 feet on a 100-acre tract.
In the 1960s local pilots and businessmen donated enough funds to put a “hard surface” on the approximately thirty-foot-wide strip. The improved surface consisted of oil and gravel over the graded dirt. Donated funds and labor also established a shorter crosswind landing strip with a 16-34 orientation.
In 1973 Boise City applied for and received the first of several airport development grants from the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission. This allowed for overlays of the runways, runway lighting, a rotating beacon, VASI lighting, a non-directional beacon, asphalt tie-down ramps, turnarounds, and run-up pads, and an airport lounge with a restroom.
The local pilots formed the Cimarron Pilots Association and as utilization of the improved facilities increased, the City of Boise City established an Airport Board and with their input established ordinances for a fuel concession, airport usage and the leasing of hanger space for pilots to construct hanger facilities. The Phillips 66 dealer, Denton Ellard operated a fuel concession at the Airport until his death in 1981. Thereafter it was operated briefly by the Pilots Association with fuel delivered by the Boise City Farmers Cooperative.
By the late 1970s, the local chapter of the Civil Air Patrol had become quite active and with pilot donations a new pilot’s lounge and meeting room was established with a modern (heated-flush toilet) restroom and a pay telephone to call City Hall for the combination of a box to obtain the keys to an airport courtesy car furnished by The First National Bank in Clayton, New Mexico and maintained by the City.
In the mid-1980s modern aircraft required a longer runway to operate. A Federal Aviation Administration Grant, coupled with funding assistance from the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission allowed funds for the acquisition of an additional forty-acre tract on the northeast end of the existing runway. This required the relocation of the County Road to jog around the end of the runway, but it allowed the runway to be extended to its current length of 4,211 feet. The funding also allowed the runway base to be properly compacted and the width of the runway to be extended to sixty feet, as well as medium-intensity runway and taxiway lighting and a lighted wind cone.
Annual grants from the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission and airport hanger rental and usage fees have allowed most of the costs of airport maintenance to be covered. Recent grants have financed the installation of LED runway and taxiway lights, a large and well-lighted wind sock, and updated glide slope lights. Highway 287 updates have eliminated the hazardous electric lines along the highway southwest of the runway. Currently, grants have allowed the installation of a 100 octane av-gas and Jet-A self-service fuel station which will be operable in early 2025 and for the demolition of deteriorated hangers and the construction of new hangers which will become available to rent by the summer of 2025.
5K Run
Where To Stay
Boise City Turns 100, Trail Daze Turns 50 in 2025 Click Right
The Cimarron County Chamber of Commerce is preparing to commemorate two historic milestones: Boise City’s 100th birthday and the 50th anniversary of the cherished Santa Fe Trail Daze festival.
Plan a Series of Unforgettable Events
To ensure these anniversaries are celebrated in style, the Cimarron Chamber of Commerce invites the community to a planning meeting on Monday, September 9th, 2024, at 7:30 am. The meeting will be held at the She Shed (111 E 5th Street, Boise City).
Your Ideas Matter!
Everyone's participation is crucial in bringing this event to life! We invite involvement from current and former residents, friends in surrounding areas, businesses, organizations, churches, youth groups, and individuals. The organizers are eager to hear your ideas for a theme that captures the rich history of the Santa Fe Trail and the vibrant spirit of Boise City.
The Santa Fe Trail and Boise City: A Legacy of Pioneering Spirit
The Santa Fe Trail, a vital trade route that linked Missouri to Santa Fe, New Mexico, played a significant role in the development of the West. Boise City, established along this historic path, embodies the pioneering spirit that continues to define the community.
Let's Celebrate Together!
The combined celebrations will be held June 4th-8th, 2025. To make these events a success, volunteers are needed! Whether you have a few hours to spare or extensive experience, your contribution is valued.
Get Involved!
Help create a celebration for the ages! Volunteer by contacting the Cimarron Chamber at cimarroncountychamber@gmail.com.
#END#
𝟱𝟬/𝟭𝟬𝟬 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 Exciting News for the Boise City Centennial and Santa Fe Trail Daze! Click right
Here's a quick update on the planning process:
Volunteers are on board! Fourteen dedicated individuals have already stepped up to help.
The City of Boise City is officially on board! They have approved a joint celebration to make this event even more special.
𝑵𝒐𝒘 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒊𝒏𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒅!
The event will be held June 4th-8th, 2025.
𝙑𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙚𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚: There are many ways to help, from planning and organizing to day-of tasks.
𝑺𝙥𝒐𝙣𝒔𝙤𝒓 𝒂𝙣 𝙚𝒗𝙚𝒏𝙩: Help make the celebration a success by sponsoring a specific activity or providing financial support.
𝙎𝒑𝙧𝒆𝙖𝒅 𝒕𝙝𝒆 𝒘𝙤𝒓𝙙: Share the news with your friends, family, and community members. Let's make this a celebration that everyone will remember!
Oh yeah, all family and class reunions will be welcome! We would love to see y'all!
For more information or to get involved, please contact the Cimarron Chamber at cimarroncountychamber@gmail.com.
𝑳𝙚𝒕'𝒔 𝒘𝙤𝒓𝙠 𝙩𝒐𝙜𝒆𝙩𝒉𝙚𝒓 𝒕𝙤 𝙘𝒓𝙚𝒂𝙩𝒆 𝒂 𝒇𝙖𝒏𝙩𝒂𝙨𝒕𝙞𝒄 𝒄𝙚𝒍𝙚𝒃𝙧𝒂𝙩𝒊𝙤𝒏 𝒇𝙤𝒓 𝑩𝙤𝒊𝙨𝒆 𝑪𝙞𝒕𝙮! We will keep y'all posted on Facebook and our website.
p.s. Next meeting will be October 14th, 7:30 a.m. at the She Shed.
#SFTD #50100 #Oklahoma #santafe #SantaFeTrail #alumni #community #volunteering #youth #history #letsdothis #celebrate #roadtrip