What a day in the Big Ole' US of A!!! We started this trip UNLIKE many before... We got up early!! And let me just put this out there, it was rough on this old gal. BUT none the less, we decided that we if we were gonna travel that far to Eastern Oklahoma like we had decided to, then we needed to at least get a head start.
We had been at a football game the night before because... well doesn't everyone in Oklahoma go to a football game on the weekends??
And besides, our lovely third broke teacher's daughter, Karson Kay, was homecoming candidate and we were all there REPRASET-IN...(representing) in the only way we know.... Acting a fool!!
Morning came early... I headed South to pick up Marla in Springer, Oklahoma. She parked her car and we took off....Of course we had to stop for our usual Star Bucks, well.. not me. Lori doesn't like coffee, but Marla does. SO as I waited in the car she surprised me with some Star Bucks Lemon bread... it was delish!!! We then headed out into Rural Oklahoma.... backroadin... Our favorite thing to do. We were heading down Highway 77 East when we saw a pickup turn off the highway and under a tunnel where an old track train use to be.. We hit the brakes, backed it up, and had to do the same... I mean.... why not? We followed the old road into a small community, not sure exactly what the name of it was. We felt lost, which isn't unusual if truth be told. LOL Along the way we came through another small town, Oklahoma has lots of them apparently....It had two banks at different ends of the block, which just showed that at one time this was a hopping place. We had to stop take pics, what grand buildings they must of been in their day!! We spotted a bar along the way called Nacho Mamas, we thought about stopping in, but had to far to go.. HA!
We then saw an old country school house along the way with old school bell still out front.
That is Oklahoma heritage to us!
We finally made it to our Destination... Hugo, Oklahoma. While sitting at the game the night before, The Farm Bureau Man, Thad suggested we visit the cemetery there. After much thought, we agreed we should check it out. He has been after us for some time to see it, we thought we should at least give his idea a whirl... The Administrator and Fire Man are never any help, at least Thad is joining in on our quest to see the WORLD... well, our state anyway. LOL
We drove around Hugo before finding the famous cemetery, we love looking at old buildings and houses. We noticed that Hugo High School seemed to still be using their old school building and we just loved that. I am in a brand new classroom this year and it is so wonderful since I have really bad allergies, I can definitely appreciate a new building, but I also love when we use our old ones, taking care of them and keeping them for as long as we can.
For History's sake, it is awesome!!
Hugo's High School Football Field.... LOVED IT!
We then drove through town and around and down a little road that took us to the outskirts of town. We really have no plans to do much else today so why not follow the sweet little curvy road and before we knew it we were at a little cemetery out in a field all alone. This little place drew us in. We noticed a large beautiful stone out in the middle of this pretty and peaceful place called Springs Chapel Cemetery. We decided to investigate since most of the stones looked so old. Boy, where they!! We walked over to the only plot that was gated and on the fence entrance was the name of Joel Spring 1908. We knew that name sounded familiar and realized that this name was on several of the buildings we saw in town. The stones in this place were so old and just down right gorgeous and we could tell that this family was wealthy. After a little research we discovered that Mr. Spring and his family were some of the first residents to Hugo in this area of Indian Territory. We looked around at all the stones in this small cemetery and it was so intriguing. The oldest stone here dates back to around 1874.
Pretty amazing...
The Farm Bureau Man suggested we eat at the Buffalo Grill in Hugo... It was good and had our favorite appetizer
FRIED GREEN TOMATOES!!
Marla had a fried Baloney sandwich and I had the Californian...
After filling up we went on over to Mt. Olivet Cemetery.... What a beautiful place. We turned into the entrance of this famous cemetery... and all I could say was WOW!!!
Yes, this is actually in Oklahoma...I know...right!!!
We drove a little ways into the cemetery and there it was. What we had heard all about, The Showman's Rest.
It was beautiful, strange, and wonderful all in the same place. Here in this little town of Hugo, Oklahoma sits a circus-themed cemetery dedicated to circus animals and performers. Showmen’s Rest is a section within Mount Olivet Cemetery filled with animal themed pedestals and grave sites. Hugo was one knows as “Circus City, USA” and is now the final resting place for many circus folks.
We walked around forever, you just couldn't believe what you were seeing....from the lady who held the snakes to the beautiful bareback riders, the high line walkers, and even Popcorn the clown... IT was truly amazing!!! Marla then took off to look throughout the cemetery to find a a special stone, a stone of a close family friend to her grandparents Otto and Okie Hilbert. His name was Freckles Brown, Famous Rodeo Champion who rode the un-rideable and most terrorizing bull in history.... Tornado.
Four times Tornado was named the National Finals Rodeo's "meanest bull alive." Freckles and his wife Edith played cards, went to parties, and square danced with Marla's grandparents. Marla's grandpa Otto Hilbert was the president of The Lawton Rangers and was a good friend of Freckles.
Marla's grandpa Otto Hilbert
She grew up hearing tons of stories. We were so excited to find his stone and to see what he left for his wife Edith... He was surely a character.
We then turned around and close by was World Rodeo Champion Lane Frost...
His stone was amazing and we noticed that people had been leaving mementos in his honor. We began to look around and couldn't believe how most of the stones in the cemetery were so personalized. We honestly had never been in a cemetery quite like it.
Other stones in the cemetery that touched our hearts!
We enjoyed looking at all the wonderful stones... It was very moving to see all the couples, all the circus showman, and so much more... It is a must see for anyone!
So The Farm Bureau Man had said, "Your gonna be in Hugo, you might as well cross the river and to see Paris." SO....We went to Paris!! Okay, Thad...let's see if you hit a home run on this one like you did at Hugo. BINGO!!! We have to admit... HE NAILED IT!! Paris Texas... WE have fallen in love with you!!
Now, let me just say that crossing the Red River for any Sooner or even a Cowboy fan can be a little uncomfortable... We take our Red River Rivalry seriously in these here parts, but we learned that a little discomfort never hurt anybody!!
Located in the heart of the Red River Valley, Paris Texas is a special hidden treasure just located right across the Great Red River from the Amazing state of Oklahoma. We had always wanted to go to Paris, and now we can say we have!! The history of this town blew our minds and just driving around to see the amazing homes and all the little surprises of this place just kept us in amazement. It was the highlight of our day!!! IT's a MUST SEE for sure... The history, the shopping, and antiquing are just divine, and the food was ALMOST as good as that of Oklahoma's... well... it is Texas after all. Ha! jk We Oklahoman's love Texas and appreciate the Rich History of this great state that borders ours. We love a good piece of beef as equally as we love a good football game!! So...what's not to love?? Whatever aggression there might be between us Oklahomans and Texans, well we have decided to just leave that out on the football field...We will let Baker and the boys deal with that! lol
We broke Teachers are gonna shop on!
The first place we stopped in at was a an antique store called The White house Antiques and Accessories. As luck would have it, we met a great Paris gal named Lisa who was working that day (wish I gotten her pic). She was so awesome and not only told us the history of the house (this amazing home was a Sears and Roebuck House) and some of the great pieces they had, but she told us about places to go. She was a lifesaver and even met up with us later in the day at the famous Paris Bakery to have some cake, order a pizza, and have a chat.
We parked downtown and shopped the square.... Oh the buildings were amazing and the shopping was great!! It was getting late in the day and we missed the opportunity to go into many cute and vintage boutiques and large old buildings full of antiques...UGH! So we are definitely gonna make sure we go back to visit these fine establishments... As we were walking through town we noticed a sign down one side street.... The Paris Bakery!! But as we began our trek down to the Bakery, we found the Court House. It was a beautiful granite building that just shone and sparkled in the sunlight. Marla kept asking where it was and when we found it, we thought to ourselves, why is this not in the middle of the downtown square like most Texas towns are, but that is when we read the historical signs at the court house that told us about the Great Paris Fire of 1916.... WOW!!!
TEXAS TOWN ALMOST WIPED OUT BY BLAZE
After learning about the devastating fire, we finally made our way to the Paris Bakery which Lisa told us about.
I picked up some cookies for the Broke Teacher that wasn't able to come. We were having a piece of Teriamisu cake and some yummy cranberry tea while we ordered a pizza to go when our new friend Lisa popped in also to order a pizza for her family. She asked where all we had been and told us we need to make sure we go see the Eiffel Tower, I mean we are in Paris after all.... and make sure we go by The Bell Maxey house... so since the pizza would be a bit we decided to hit the road and try to see what we could before it was time to head home. We said goodbye to our new friend and once again thanked her for her kindness....Not sure she realized it or not, but I think we made plans to come stay with her next time we are there in town.... Wonder if "Surprise, we are here!" will work for her? lol Thanks LISA!!
Marla's daughter got to go to England and Paris this last summer, now we can say, "#YournottheonlyonetoseetheEiffelTowerCortlinDoye HOW BOUT DAT??
Make sure when you see the Eiffel Tower you take the time to see the Veterans Memorial just next to it. We didn't get the chance, but that is on our list for the next visit!
On our way back from the Eiffel Tower we just drove around looking at the unbelievable homes that are everywhere. We found the Sam Bell Maxey house and wish it hadn't been to late to go through it. We decided right then and there... We gotta bring Lisa (the other broke teacher who couldn't come) back... this will be our excuse to do all that we missed out on. We can't wait to come back!
so we drove back to the bakery and picked up our squash pizza, let me just say.... it was the BEST pizza these pizza loving lips have ever tasted... FOR REALS!!!
as we began to leave town we were out driving around and noticed another cemetery in the middle of town, not exactly in the best neighbor hood... there it was just in the middle of a field. It was strange and we just had to take a look. It was just a sad little place that seemed to be all alone and not taken care of. WE were shocked to find out it was a an old Jewish burial site... in Texas??
This made us so sad. You could tell that the cemetery hadn't been taken care of and maybe even some of the stones had been destroyed. We googled it and learned that there are many unmarked graves here as well. It said it was a closed cemetery and we felt like we weren't supposed to be there, although there was no fence and anyone could just walk through it. Marla was little nervous because it was a sketchy part of town, but we made it out safe. lol The sun was going down and it was time to head back across the Red River and head home. We grabbed a slice of pizza, turned up the radio, and swore that we would be back soon.
Thanks Paris, it was a great day!!!
As most of you know, Momma Donna loves Elvis ALMOST as much as she loves the Sooners. The twins were raised on them both... so when you see a blanket or Elvis rug, well you take a pic. Marla says, "Get down there, hurry up!" haha this pic is for you mom!
Until Next time..... -The Three Broke Teachers
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