Clippings From Newspapers and Magazines
An archive of clippings from newspapers and magazines relating to Jefferson Highway involving the route through Oklahoma.
Jefferson Highway Announcement, St. Joseph, MO
Appearing in the St. Joseph, MO News Press & Gazette, date unknown, this clipping describes the new Jefferson Highway running from Winnipeg, MB, to New Orleans, LA. This piece was featured in the February 17, 2018 edition of the same newspaper.
Jefferson Highway Café (1925) – Pryor, Oklahoma
The Jefferson Highway named businesses were popular along the route. Pryor had a Jefferson Highway Café near the intersection of North Adair Street and Graham Avenue. The restaurant featured fish every Friday, chicken every Tuesday and Thursday, and ham and cabbage every Saturday.
Sociability Run Story (1918) – Durant, Oklahoma
An important way to promote and advertise the route in the 1910s and 1920s were sociability runs. These were basically a caravan of cars that would travel the route with supporters and politicians. Some of these included dignitaries from the end point communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, and Winnipeg, Canada. The Sociability Run in this story was an Oklahoma drive across the route that started in Durant.
Ferry Story (1920) – Eufaula, Oklahoma
One of the biggest efforts in Oklahoma on behalf of the Jefferson Highway was the building of a substantial bridge over the North Canadian River to the south of Eufaula. This was completed in 1920, and cars could then proceed over the bridge instead of using an automobile ferry across the river. This clipping shows the official closing of the ferry at that time.
Jefferson Highway Garage (1916) – Checotah , Oklahoma
This newspaper notice shows the establishment of the Jefferson Highway Garage in Checotah, Oklahoma, in 1916. The business featured the sale of Chalmers Automobiles which would become the official sponsored automobile of the highway.
Jefferson Highway Builders (1916) – Muskogee, Oklahoma
This advertisement was placed in the Muskogee newspaper in 1916 by the local Chamber of Commerce. It shows the strong desire to be part of the Jefferson Highway route and the efforts that the community had to create “good roads” to better the highway.
Jefferson Highway Garage Advertisement (1920) – Commerce, Oklahoma
Many communities along the historic route established Jefferson Highway Garage businesses. These businesses provided mechanic work and sold tires and automobiles. This one was located in Commerce, Oklahoma, and established in 1918. It was owned by several proprietors over the years and lasted until the late 1920s under this name.
