Friday, December 16, 2016

Oil City Christmases Of Long Ago

Certainly not all that have taken place over the years, but accounts of long ago Christmas events found in newspapers. Different names and faces, but notice how similar the programs and activities are to what one might observe today.

1917

Troops of the 155th Infantry regiment of the Mississippi National Guard were stationed throughout the Caddo oilfields to keep the peace during a strike that occurred in late 1917/early 1918 across the southwestern United States. Area residents displayed warm hospitality to these "soldier boys," with records from the time reporting that citizens of Mooringsport and Vivian served Thanksgiving dinner to those stationed within their midst.

These acts of kindness continued at Christmas, as celebratory activities were held  for the troops in north Caddo Parish communities Caddo (Oil City), Mooringsport, Trees, and Vivian; as well as at the state fairgrounds where the regiment was headquartered, and in the DeSoto Parish communities of Mansfield and Naborton. Note that "Caddo" was Caddo City (now part of Oil City) and Mrs. W. H Murray mentioned below was an OC resident.
1918 

Notice of Christmas services to be held at the Oil City Catholic Church.


Shreveport Times 22-Dec-1918, Page 24


1920

Seven year-old Francis Charles Radaz, Jr.; son of Francis, Sr. and Pearle (Bates), wrote a letter to Santa Claus in 1920. The "Boy" was possibly a misreading (due to a child's handwriting) of his younger brother's name, William Malloy, who went by the latter. Though there were no cell phones or tablets then, Francis was still interested in the latest technology; which a "moving picture machine" certainly would have been.


Corsicana (TX) Sun 24-Nov-1920, Page 7

The family was originally from there, and several family members lived there at the time. The elder Francis worked for the Texas Company and the family resided at what is now 106 Pine Street, across from the Oil City school, and next door to the old Mandina home.

The photo below is of Francis several years later as a graduating engineering student at Louisiana Tech.


Monroe Morning World 24-Mar-1935, Page 6.


1921

An inter-denominational Christmas celebration held at the Methodist Episcopal Church that also included participation by the local Christian and Baptist churches. Mrs. R. T. Alexander was likely Mrs. Typhena Ellen (Benson) Alexander, wife of Dr. P. T. Alexander. (Hattie) Ruth Vaughn was an Oil City school teacher of that time. 


 

Shreveport Times 28-Dec-1921, Page 6


Hattie Ruth Vaughn

1922

A community celebration is held at the baseball park.


Shreveport Times 26-Dec-1922, Page 5


Reverend Tinnin shown in college a couple of years earlier. Note what is now the First Baptist Church was called the Central Baptist Church in the 1920s.




1924

A local Goodfellows Club was formed. The organization provided for poor children at Christmas, those "afraid Santa Claus will overlook them." By the way, the Harrington mentioned in the article owned the Ford dealership at that time. 



Shreveport Times 05-Dec-1924, Page 3


1926

Notice of a planned community Christmas tree and program held at the Methodist Church.


Shreveport Journal 20-Dec-1926, Page 12


Goodfellows again provide Christmas cheer to poor children.


Shreveport Times 24-Dec-1926, Page 18


1927

A community Christmas tree is lit in the school auditorium.


Shreveport Times 18-Dec-1927, Page 8


1945

Howard Fortson Post No. 138 and auxiliary of the American Legion held a Christmas party and welcomed 33 returning veterans of World War II.  200 guests attended the affair, called to order by post commander, Dick Robison.


Shreveport Times 23-Dec-1945, Page 28


Among those recognized was Navy Seabee Ervin Fedd, whose birthday happened to be that day.



1954

On 09-Dec-1954, Mayor Donald Lavine opened the Christmas Season by turning on the lights of a 26 foot Christmas tree set under a lighted derrick, the idea of oilmen R. D. Wilson and Bill Bailey.



Shreveport Journal 09-Dec-1954, Page C-1


Mayor Donald Lavine



Shreveport Times 10-Dec-1954, Page 8-C

A few days later, the Stroller column in the Shreveport Times mentions a young blind boy's experience of "seeing" the tree and derrick.


Shreveport Times 26-Dec-1954, Page 7-A


Mrs. Lois Thompson's third grade Christmas program, December 1960.

L-R: (Standing) Gayle King, Sharilyn Herndon, Shirley Allborty, Billy Wingo,
Garvin Fike, Addie Tubbs, Peggy Fowler, Jimmy Thacker, Marian Tarver;
(Seated) Jimmy Wingo, Gil Beck

L-R: Santa, John Ridge, Wayne Hall, Jerry Green, Pat Weaver

L-R: Ronnie Thomas, Johnny Head, Bill Stevens, David Stanfield,
Kathy Hargrove
L-R: (Back) Diane Robison, Charles Hicks, Angie Wendell, Kenneth Spoon,
Roger Sanders; (Middle) Don Vaughn, Tommie Maxwell, Judy Marcus,
Terry Elmore; (Front) Darlene Batts, Janet Latham, Roy Easley


Not pictured: Arley Holliman, Jenny Poindexter, Ann Smith, Rodney Walker

1960 Oil City Junior High School Bengal (yearbook)
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Friday, December 2, 2016

Oil City Clinic

The old downtown clinic was demolished a few years ago. Fortunately; through the magic of Google Street View, it is still visible for the time being and with this blog post, possibly for posterity. While out of use for many years and not architecturally significant, it represented a special commitment to the community by a select group of concerned individuals that is worthy of our remembrance.

Oil City Clinic sometime in early 2010s

During its early boomtown days, Oil City had as many as three physicians practicing locally. However by 1950, the town had not had a full-time doctor for approximately 12 years. To address this need, members of the Oil City Rotary Club formed a non-profit corporation that issued $30,000 of stock, the vast majority of which was purchased by members. This organization was led by the following officers:
  • Lewis W. Watts, president
  • O. B. Roberts, vice-president
  • Tilman W. "T.W." Greer, secretary

Lewis Watts, Sr.

T. W. Greer

 Additional board members were:
  • J. K. Butler, Sr.
  • Alvin Johnson
  • E. D. Markham

Using the capital raised, a two-story brick medical clinic was constructed containing the following amenities:
  • Medical offices for white and black patients. In that day of racially-segregated accommodations, the facilities were said to have been of "equal" quality.
  • Doctor's private office
  • Treatment room
  • Emergency operating room
  • Pharmacy
The second floor was designed with intent to eventually accommodate eight hospital rooms. However, until demand warranted, the rooms were rented out as office space. The enterprise being non-profit, investors only received compensation for original investment after retirement of associated debt. This essentially interest-free loan showed their unselfish commitment to the betterment of the community.

In 1951, Dr. Calvert Otto Sellers, M.D. (1904-1979) moved into the new facility, where per his obituary, he practiced from 1952 to 1959.






Below, Dr. Calvert O. Sellers and Mr. Lewis W. Watts stand in front of the new clinic. A second story was later added.


Shreveport Journal 07-Mar-1951, Page 7


A March 1952 Shreveport Times article featuring Oil City, touted the new clinic as evidence of the community's growth. The attached bronze plaque stated its purpose "Dedicated to the Relief of Suffering Humanity."

Shreveport Times 11-Mar-1952, Page 8


Billy Wayne Floyd, MD (1933-2001) practiced at the clinic from July 1960 through May 1961.




He graduated from Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now University of Louisiana at Lafayette) and medical school (presumably at LSU or Tulane), and became a newly licensed physician in 1959..



In June 1961, it was announced he was joining Dr. John F. Hall, Jr., MD at the Sunset Clinic in Shreveport. After Dr. Floyd's departure, the lone tenant of the building for many was the pharmacy of  eventual owner T. W. Greer (1898-1980), where he filled prescriptions while wife Addine worked the shop comprised of sundries and gift items (cards, candy, etc.) out front. Mr. Greer served as Oil City Mayor from 1964-1968.


Here is a view of the place on the building where the aforementioned plaque was once attached, followed by a picture of the plaque.
Google Street View prior to demolition


Photo by Chris Allen


Per this aerial view from Google maps, all that remains is a concrete slab.
Google Maps View, 02-Dec-2016
Local medical services are currently provided by Dr. Karen S. Walker, M.D. at the  Willis-Knighton clinic located on Hwy 1. Time passes and things change. But let this page pay tribute to those who in their time were committed to serving the needs of the community in the best way possible.



Sources not previously cited:



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