Harrah Historical Society

05/27/2026

This is the type of car the Waner brothers traveled from town to town with a trunk in the rumble seat full of their baseball equipment. The old trunk is on display at the Harrah History Center.

05/24/2026

The Honea picture we reprocessed. Edited: Linda Parrish would have furnished the correct info for this photo, names, dob & dod for the Harrah book. Sion Milton Honea ("T.") married to Kathryn Mae ("Katie") Grimes. Four boys were Cyril Melbourne ("Cyril), Carol Lafayette ("Bud") Clester Christman ("Ted") and Sion Milton Honea, Jr. ("S.M.")

05/22/2026

(Researched by Cindy Davis) FLANDERS POPPIES AT HARRAH, OKLAHOMA
Florence Bottger, a long-time resident of Harrah, Oklahoma, remembers when poppies Flourished along the Rock Island right-of-way at the Harrah Depot. She explained why they were there.
During World War, a soldier from Shawnee, Oklahoma, was killed in France. He was buried in Flanders Field. Later his clothing and personal effects were returned to his mother at Shawnee. When she examined the clothing, she found some dry poppy flowers and seeds in his pockets. She kept the seeds to plant.
It was late winter when the mother rode a Rock Island train from Shawnee to Oklahoma City. When the train stopped at the Harrah station, she opened a window to scatter the seeds along the right-of-way. Then she rode into oblivion. Florence did not know her name.
The seeds sprouted to bloom in colorful profusion. Florence gathered some of the resulting seeds to plant in her yard at 2301 N. Dobbs Road. Those which were growing beside the tracks were WI-led when they were mowed before maturity the following year. Those which Florence had planted in her yard grew and bloomed.
With the assistance of the Harrah Historical Society, Florence reseeded some of the poppies along the right-of-way near the Depot Museum. Florence says they must be planted in the spring. In this manner she will perpetuate the memory of the unknown World War I soldier from Shawnee, Oklahoma.

The above is from an interview with Florence Bottger by a member of the Harrah Historical Society. It is not dated.
Florence Bottger died at 86 on June 4, 1989. Her favorite past time was gardening, growing vegetables and flowers. Everything seemed to yow for Florence She also loved pets, and it seemed every homeless cat or dog found their way to her house. She cared for them until she could find homes for them.
Florence married Samuel Jacob Bottger in 1926. Jake served in World War I and was a member of the VFW Post No. 1188 at Harrah. Jake died February 27, 1953.
The Bottger yard was red with poppy blooms each year. However, they bloomed only one year after Florence's death.

05/19/2026

A reminder that the Harrah History Center will be open Thursday 5/21 from 1:00 Pm till late afternoon (closing time dependent on available volunteer staff)

05/19/2026

05/16/2026

Come and visit (Unmute to hear the music)

05/10/2026

Much needed rain may dampen some Mother's Day celebrations. But from the Harrah Historical Society's History Center we wish all mothers a Happy Mothers' Day and remember all mothers looking down from heaven with kind memories. We especially remember all those mothers who have passed and were very active as volunteers with our Harrah Historical Society throughout the years.

05/09/2026

Cindy Davis held a fantastic session on how to research genealogy today. We are honored to have such a knowledgeable member amongst us. Thank you Cindy.

05/08/2026

Just a reminder that Cindy Davis will have a genealogy research session tomorrow (Saturday May 9) held at the Harrah History Center starting at 10:00 am. Please arrive by 9:45 am so the session can (and will) start on time. Cindy says this session should only last about one hour but could extend a little if needed. This is your opportunity to learn how to do research of your heritage. Free to all but please sign up at [email protected] or at [email protected] with the subject name as "Genealogy."

05/07/2026

Harrah History Center open today noon till late afternoon