A Very OK Podcast

Cultivating Cultural Tourism in Oklahoma

In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn talk with special guest Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell about the importance of cultural tourism in Oklahoma. After discussing some of their favorite historic places in the state, the crew talks about the evolution of the Oklahoma Historical Society from an entity that solely collects artifacts to one that also oversees the operation of important sites across the state. The lieutenant governor examines the successes Oklahoma has had by playing to its strengths and how the OHS plays a key role in bringing new visitors to the state.

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

When the economy cratered with the stock market crash in October 1929, Oklahomans had already been feeling the effects of an economic depression for several years due to falling agriculture and oil prices. The onset of the Dust Bowl in western Oklahoma and the rejection of the New Deal by the state’s political leadership exacerbated the effects of the Great Depression. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn talk about the impact of the Great Depression on Oklahoma. Their guest is Dr. Al Turner, historian and producer of the documentary film Dust to Eat.

Our Good Angel, Kate

Kate Barnard may have shaped the early history of Oklahoma more than any other figure. She convinced the delegates to the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention to create the office of commissioner of charities and corrections, a position with the authority to investigate the conditions of prisons, orphanages, hospitals, and other public institutions. She was elected the first commissioner in 1907, one of the first women in the country to hold statewide elected office. She used her power to advocate on behalf of orphans, the poor, people with disabilities, and the incarcerated. Her crusade for justice on behalf of Indigenous orphans, however, proved to be her undoing. Our guest on this episode is Connie Cronley, author of A Life on Fire: Oklahoma’s Kate Barnard.

Pawnee Bill and May Lillie’s Wild West

In the late 19th century, traveling Wild West shows became a popular form of entertainment. One of the largest and most successful Wild West shows was created by Gordon W. “Pawnee Bill” Lillie and his wife, May, in 1888. It later merged with Buffalo Bill’s show and continued until 1913. In this podcast, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss the climate that led to the creation of Wild West shows, the impact that Gordon Lillie made on the genre, and May Lillie’s role as performer, business partner, wife, and mother. They are joined by Ronny Brown, site director at Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum, and Anna Davis, historical interpreter at Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum.

Killing of Umpire Forbidden

The game of baseball has a rich history in Oklahoma. From the first organized game in 1882 in Indian Territory to town league teams to the pros, Oklahomans have made their mark on the game. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn explore how baseball made its way to Oklahoma, the significance of those early teams, and Oklahomans who are now enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame. They are joined by Chad Williams, director of Research for the Oklahoma Historical Society and baseball superfan. Chad discusses his love for the game and how baseball lovers can dive into the OHS archives to find first-hand documents and photos about the boys of summer in Oklahoma.

Lawlessness and Law Enforcement in the 1920s and ‘30s

The advent of the automobile gave lawbreakers the ability to commit crimes and evade local law enforcement. During the 1920s and 1930s, bank robberies and kidnappings became all too common in Oklahoma. In this episode, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss the rise of notorious criminals and how the state created new agencies to enforce the law. Their guest, Leigh Dudley from the Federal Judicial Learning Center and Museum, tells the story of Charles Urschel’s 1933 kidnapping by Machine Gun Kelly.

At War With Corruption

From the mid-1960s through the early 1980s, several major corruption scandals rocked the halls of government in Oklahoma. Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss the political climate in Oklahoma that fostered the atmosphere for corruption to develop. Their guest is Bill Price, former US Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, who prosecuted crooked county commissioners and materials suppliers in one of the biggest scandals in US history.

Live Episode: Oklahoma’s All-Black Towns

Oklahoma had more than 50 All-Black towns at one time, more than any other state. A special panel of guests discusses the history of some of the towns and efforts being made today to revitalize them. Trait Thompson and Larry O’Dell from the Oklahoma Historical Society are joined by Shirley Nero from Clearview, Henrietta Hicks from Boley, and Sen. Kevin Matthews from Tulsa for an enlightening conversation.

Battle of the Washita

After the Civil War, increased westward migration resulted in escalating violent conflict between the Plains Indian tribes protecting their ancestral lands and the new settlers. The 1867 Medicine Lodge Treaty failed to quell the violence, which resulted in Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan’s new strategy of attacking the tribes in their winter camps. In November 1868, Lt. Col. George Custer’s troops marched out of Camp Supply and initiated a surprise attack on Cheyenne Peace Chief Black Kettle’s village on the Washita River. The battle, also referred to as a massacre, was the opening salvo in the US Army’s five-month campaign to force the Cheyenne into living on reservations.

Oklahoma During World War II

December 7, 2021, marked the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss how Oklahoma changed during World War II, and how the state was impacted for generations to come. Joe Todd, author of USS Oklahoma: Remembrance of a Great Lady, joins them and shares many stories that he has collected from Oklahoma’s World War II veterans.