Gabrielle Spencer-Ginn Special to the Times
Last year, we took a look back at the cherished traditions of the Beggs alumni banquets. Today, let’s travel even further into the past – to the very roots of Beggs School and how it became the heart of our community.
The story of Beggs School begins long before Oklahoma even achieved statehood. In 1901, Miss Lelia Vanvoris operated a small subscription school in a modest frame building, teaching 18 to 20 students. It was a humble beginning, but it planted the seeds for what would become a cornerstone of the Beggs community.
A year later, the citizens of Beggs took a bold step forward by organizing the town’s first official school district and electing a school board. At that time, education wasn’t viewed as the necessity it is today. Still, the people of Beggs understood that a thriving school meant a thriving town for everyone, whether they had children or not.
By 1906, the town passed a bond to construct a new four-room schoolhouse, a clear sign of Beggs’ growth. When Oklahoma became a state in 1907, Beggs School was already expanding, offering its first high school courses by 1908 under Principal Mr. Monocle. Under the leadership of Principal E.E. Novel, Beggs achieved the coveted status of an official two-year high school – a big accomplishment for the young community.
Then came a milestone in 1915: the very first graduating class of Beggs High School. Those pioneering students were Lucile Culp, Paola Vick, E. Lankford, Olive Lankford, Augusta Lovel, Axile Snoddy and Margaret Elizabeth Crawford.
Growth remained a constant theme for Beggs School. In 1916, under Superintendent E.H. Lenox, the high school achieved full accreditation and a 1st Class rating – another leap forward for education in Beggs.
And then, the oil boom hit.
Almost overnight, Beggs transformed from a quiet town of 1,200 residents to a bustling community of 4,000 within the city limits, and over 10,000 in the surrounding area! School enrollment surged as well, jumping from 42 to 260 in the high school, and from 122 to 958 in the lower grades. To keep up, bonds were approved for another four-room building east of the Frisco Tracks.
In 1922, the first edition of The Beggs Archer yearbook was published, and football made its debut – ushering in a new era of school spirit and pride.
From 1935-1940, Beggs saw even more exciting developments. The gymnasium and football field, complete with an impressive grandstand, were built. By 1938, Beggs proudly claimed the largest gym in Okmulgee County. The grandstand itself was a marvel – constructed of coursed and rusticated buff-colored native stone, with 12 tiers of concrete risers and dressing rooms underneath. The project not only created a unique architectural landmark but also provided over 41,400 man-hours of desperately needed employment for local workers during the Great Depression. It lifted community morale and provided much-needed recreational space.
Post-World War II, the campus kept expanding. The Vocational Agriculture building began construction in 1947, followed by the cafeteria in 1949. By the early ‘50s, a new concession stand and press box graced the football field, along with a new guard rail, track and expanded parking areas. Beggs Junior High became fully accredited, and new scoreboards were installed for football and basketball games. The south side parking lot even got new lights, ensuring safer access for all. The school’s growth didn’t stop there. A new baseball field was added, along with the hosting of the first Junior Olympics. Classrooms were upgraded with fluorescent lighting and a seven-foot fence was installed around the football field’s west side. An intercom system was added, connecting classrooms and the office – a sign of the forward-thinking leadership that kept Beggs moving ahead, no matter the curveballs thrown by history.
But the story doesn’t end here. In the coming weeks, we’ll dive into the mid-century transformations of Beggs School, including the important role of Wheatley School in our shared history.
For now, we invite all former students, staff and friends of Beggs Schools and Wheatley Lions to register for this year’s Beggs Alumni Banquet, set for June 21. This annual event celebrates not just the memories of our school days, but also helps ensure the next generation of Beggs students has the chance to build their own success stories.
— Get Registered Today!
To register, email beggs. alumni@gmail.com, visit the alumni association on Facebook at Beggs Alumni Association, or sign up online at https:// beggs.rsvpify.com.
The $20 fee includes a delicious dinner, access to silent auction items, the 2025 scholarship presentation, keynote address by 1989 graduate Michelle Colbert, door prizes, memories and much more. But don’t wait – registration closes on June 7!
If you’d like to support the scholarship fund directly or donate to the silent auction (a great way for local businesses to get involved), reach out to the alumni association via email, Facebook, or mail a check to Beggs Alumni Association, P.O. Box 506, Beggs, OK 74421.
We can’t wait to see everyone at the banquet on June 21 at 6 p.m. (doors open at 4 p.m.). And keep watching for more stories from Beggs’ proud history!
