Before Oklahoma was a state, a couple of real estate visionaries bought land along the new railroad and not far from the flood-prone Deep Fork River to plot a new town. One of the businessmen was Luther Aldrich, but most accounts say the town is not named for him directly. His business partner, CG Jones (who also founded Jones, OK), had one son who was named after his friend, Luther. And the boy was the namesake of the town, according to some reports. Luther Jones would have been three years old in March of 1898. Accounts of his short life do not indicate he ever lived in Luther, OK. He grew up in Oklahoma City, and died in California at the age of 44.
Luther, Oklahoma, was growing at the dawn of the 20th century – bustling with a post office, banks, hotels, stores, a cotton gin, a mill, churches, schools, families, and a newspaper, The Luther Register. A railroad stop, Luther was located on the Ozark Trail (1913-1935), and around 1926, Route 66 was paved on the northern part of town. A little east is where the Threatt Filling Station was built and served as a haven for cross-country Black travelers.
Celebrating 125 Years
A Founders’ Parade will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2023, at 5 PM followed by the opening of the Luther Route 66 DiscGolfPark. Floats and parade entries are asked to fill out a form to help with the line-up. Grab your chair and your cheer to enjoy the parade and the celebration following at the the disc golf festivities. The Luther Route 66 DiscGolfPark is located at Wildhorse Park, east of town.
As the town celebrates it’s “quasquicentennial,” a couple of events are planned including a Founders’ Day 5K and a Parade.
New Date for Founders’ Day 5K
The Founders’ Day 5K is rescheduled for November 19 at 9 AM as part of the Luther Pecan Festival. (The original date was March 18.) The 5K is designed for all levels and ages, runners and walkers. Participants will run by the Booker T Washington park, the site of the Black high school built in 1916, and lauded as one of the premier Black high schools in the United States. The route will also include the beautiful countryside of Eastern Oklahoma County. Participants are invited to stay for the Festival!
More Founders Day activities will be planned throughout the year. Get involved as we honor our past and plan for our future.
