Early Oklahoma Through A Photographer's Eye
Discover how one man and a camera recorded Western history
The People's Photo Studio (1915) by Henry Madison WantlandNational Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
A territorial photographer
In 1891, Henry M. Wantland and his young family arrived in Oklahoma Territory. They settled in Stillwater, Oklahoma, a small town born of the Land Run and bustling with opportunity and ambition. He eventually purchased a photography studio and spent the next two decades recording.
New settlers
The 1900 Federal Census reveals Payne County’s largely immigrant origins: birthplaces include 44 of the 45 states, and at least 19 countries like Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Holland, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Germany and, like this family, Mexico.
Growing community
Despite their differences, however, residents share something profound. Not everyone will take the risk and choose the unknown, but they did. They came for opportunity—to forge better lives, start families, and build homes. Together, they created a community.
Stillwater: A college town
E.R. Ethridge was a freshman at Oklahoma A&M and belonged to Sigma Beta Chi. He played baseball and was a left guard for the first football team in school history to defeat the Oklahoma Sooners.
More churches than saloons
A self-proclaimed city of schools and churches, Stillwater has more churches than saloons—a rare distinction in Oklahoma. The Lutheran and Catholic churches largely serve immigrants and first-generation Americans.
Life of a teacher
Harry Donart was one of Stillwater’s first teachers and remembers the conditions in September 1889. He said, "I can assure it was no picnic at this first school … For equipment, we had none."
The old school house
Jefferson School is a vast improvement over earlier efforts at building schools on the Great Plains. See anything missing? Some students aren’t wearing shoes.
First-generation American
Nick Fennema was a first-generation American born in Missouri to Dutch parents and studied agriculture. He spent most of his career making and selling butter for creameries, including SS Borden Company in Chicago, before starting his own.
An A&M baseballer
Ray Colglazier played baseball at Oklahoma A&M, and sports were a constant in his life. He worked as Physical Director at Chilocco Indian School and was named Vice President of the State Amateur Athletic Union.
Well-rounded student
Frank Melton pursued science and the stage at Oklahoma A&M, where he performed in Mikado, Pirates of Penzance, Princess Ida, Fortune Hunters, and more. He was also a member of the Glee Club, the Science Society, played football, and was Chief Field Musician.
Fern's life in 1915
Born to one of Stillwater’s founding families, Fern Lowry was the fourth Lowry to attend A&M. She was active in Student Council, Girls Athletic Association, Debate Team, Drama, Yearbook Staff, and YWCA. After completing her BS, she enrolled at Cornell.
Beulah Monday's beginnings
Beulah Monday studied home economics. After graduating, she married and soon began a family. They lived in Oklahoma City, where Beulah played an active role in the community, serving as President of both the League of Women Voters and Planned Parenthood.
Created by the Staff of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
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