McClain County Historical & Genealogical Society & Museum

07/24/2026

Today, we had the privilege of sharing an unforgettable experience with Jim and Gayle Campbell! Gayle's passion to preserve history led her to reach out to us a few months ago, eager to donate precious items belonging to the remarkable Strassberger family. Joseph, John, and William Strassberger, pioneers in Purcell before statehood (1893) and beyond, left an indelible mark on our town as barbers, entrepreneurs, and pillars of the community.
The Campbell's journey from the Tulsa area to share these treasured tools, a photo, and written history is a testament to the power of family legacy!
Did you know that the Strassberger men built several iconic buildings in Purcell, including a racket store and barber shop, which was once nestled inside the historic Love Hotel?
Uncover the fascinating stories of the Strassberger family through the Purcell Register archives, which reveal the tale of a family that helped shape our beloved town. The home of Joseph, a thriving dairy farm west of town, now stands at the address on N. 8th Street, a poignant reminder of the past. It's an honor to connect with the descendants of our founding fathers, who paved the way for Purcell to become the vibrant community it is today! ❤️

07/18/2026

What an honor it was to welcome members of the B.C. Clark family to the McClain County Historical & Genealogical Society & Museum today! 🤍

Family members traveled from Oklahoma City and Costa Rica to visit Purcell, tour the museum, and learn more about the community where B.C. Clark’s remarkable story began. It was especially meaningful to welcome B.C. Clark’s granddaughter and grandson from Oklahoma City, along with family from Costa Rica.

B.C. Clark’s granddaughter is making her third visit while researching a book about her grandfather. We are honored that our museum has been able to serve as a resource in preserving and sharing his story.

Thank you to the entire Clark family for spending part of your day with us. It was a pleasure sharing the history of McClain County and Purcell with you, and we hope to welcome you back again soon!

P.S. Spending the morning with the B.C. Clark family made it feel a little like Christmas in July! I now have “🎶 It’s B.C. Clark’s Anniversary Sale… 🎶” jingle stuck in my head. You’re welcome. Lol

— Elisabeth Baker

07/15/2026

https://youtu.be/_GwJumwenB0?is=nTD_h66x00UGNHL5

Here is another video about the land run

How did Oklahoma become a state? Well, it started when on April 22,...

07/15/2026

https://youtu.be/nJELFsVJoXg?is=CePRr4r8Nl9dmFxm

Informational video about the land run. Purcell is mentioned several times.

Librarian Stephanie Vecchio discusses the Oklahoma land rush, which...

07/10/2026

A few months ago, Scott Barger visited the museum to do research for a book about community bands of Oklahoma. He found some great resources and included them in it. The cover is from a street scene in Byars, Ok. It shows a very busy town celebrating with a band.
We received our much-appreciated author's copy of the book, and it will be added to our growing library of resource materials.

It's an interesting book filled with interesting stories of when towns had their own bands. The entertainment of a band was important then and always will be.

You can purchase this book on Amazon.com.

The letter accompanying the book reads as follows:

Please accept this author copy of my book, We Want a Band, as a token of my appreciation for the care and dedication to preserving McClain County's history. The information found in the research at your museum proved to be very valuable to me in writing this history of community bands.
Purcell and Byars figure prominently in the telling of this story, and you may notice that the Byars band is on the cover of the book, as my family has deep roots there as well as in Purcell. I am a proud graduate of Purcell High School, Class of 1982!
Best,
W. Scott Barger
Author, We Want a Band.

06/25/2026

I had the pleasure of reading an article today that delved into the fascinating history of Purcell before its incorporation, as recounted by A.C. Bodie to Mary Jo Turner of the Purcell Register. His family were among the pioneering settlers of Oklahoma, having migrated from Missouri. This article offers a wealth of information about our region that I'm confident will resonate with many readers. I invite you to read the article and share any historical insights or anecdotes you'd like to contribute.

06/16/2026

Today, Sherri and Elisabeth had the pleasure of giving a museum tour to a wonderful family researching their McClain County roots. Their visit centered around learning more about their great-grandfather and the Newbern family, who were part of the history of Byars, Oklahoma.

Many people may not realize that Byars was once a thriving railroad and agricultural community in the early 1900s, with businesses, banking, and commerce centered around its town square. The Newbern family was among those who helped shape the area’s story during that time. Byars grew rapidly after the arrival of the Oklahoma Central Railway and reached its peak population in the early 1920s.

We enjoyed sharing local history, exploring family connections, and learning more about the Newbern lineage in McClain County. The evening ended with great conversation and a Braums ice cream treat! 🤍

Thank you for visiting Purcell and the museum while tracing your family’s history. We are always honored when visitors travel to the Heart of Oklahoma to learn more about the people and places that helped shape our communities.

Do you have family ties to Byars or memories of the community? We’d love to hear your stories in the comments.

06/06/2026

06/06/2026

We are at the lake today for Lake Day!
Come see us