I get the opportunity to visit some great places when I’m traveling around the state…..
Welcome back. Traveling across the state of Oklahoma this past week, I’ve run across several stories of interest which I hope you all will enjoy. A few miles east of Oklahoma City alongside I-40 at Tinker Airforce Base sit dozens of retired military aircraft from big bombers to small attack jets. It’s quite a display and well worth a closer look see but as I passed by on Thursday afternoon I wasn’t out for that.
Shawnee, Oklahoma, forty miles or so east of Oklahoma City, was my destination and the place I was looking for had been selling hamburgers since 1927. The Hamburger King as it’s called is a beloved institution in Shawnee and the last of a small chain of joints that got their start selling hamburgers for five cents apiece. Today the menu includes catfish, chili, stew and Frito pies but hamburgers are what put founder George Macsas on the map as the Hamburger King. His burger stand was visited by many traveling music stars of the day such as Bob Wills along with silver screen stars Jack and Al Hoxie. Jack Hoxie was one of the biggest movie stars of the day and his appearances with his wonder horse Scout in Zack Miller’s 101 Ranch Wild West Show filled venues across the country. The stars loved the Hamburger King’s food and even posed for publicity photos with George. The restaurant soon became famous and so the first hamburger chain was started in Oklahoma. With locations in Ada, Shawnee and Ruidoso, New Mexico, George knew he was on to something with his hamburgers and let me remind you that this was before Wendy’s, Burger King or even McDonald’s which was founded in 1955. Unfortunately time marches on. Bob Wills and the Hoxie brothers are gone now as is George and all of his restaurants but one. When I found his last place at 322 East Main Street in Shawnee I discovered a throwback to a bygone era. The business hub of Shawnee had moved from the center of town out to the new I-40 exit years before, leaving the original downtown six or seven miles south, seemingly frozen in time. It was quite a find and opening the door to the restaurant capped it off.
The décor is straight out of the 1930s and the walls are covered with photos of the famous people who have eaten there including a big three by four foot photo of Bob, Jack and George. The restaurant is owned by George’s grandchildren now but you still place your order by telephone from your table like you used to and I can tell you the hamburgers are just like they used to be as well. With these surroundings and this meal, if you like the 1930s this is your ticket to a period that unfortunately has now vanished.
My visit was short because back in Oklahoma City there was another place I had been wanting to see but if you’re in Shawnee be sure to check out the original downtown and order a hamburger at the Hamburger King.
For years I had seen the sign for Lorec Ranch out on I-35 across from Frontier City Amusement Park and I even stopped once to check out their western store which was a very interesting place. I heard that they had moved a while back and that they were making their own furniture in a building on West Reno Avenue that I wanted to check out. Friends if you are into western art this is the place. With an extra-large showroom, it’s even better in the back as owner Kai Lopez showed me. At least a dozen workers were there building, painting and assembling various pieces of furniture. It is quite an operation.
When I asked about their clients, I found out Kai’s got them from coast to coast and around the world as well. They range from your average Joe to celebrities. And who is Kai Lopez? Well her story will have to come at a later date but I can tell you it’s a good one. As for me I was on to Tulsa for the Home and Garden Show then Friday night I was in Ramona for the Chamber of Commerce annual dinner. I secretly knew that my good friend, and a very good person, Lester Gagan was going to be named Citizen of the Year and I wanted to be there for the award.
On Saturday I turned around and went to Edmond for a book signing. The hectic pace continues this week when I will be at the historical society in Caney on Friday night and then drive on to Fort Smith, Arkansas for two days at the big Fort Smith Gun and Knife Show. For more detailed information about these trips and future ones go to www.originalbuffalodale.com and till next time, I’ll see ya down the road……………..