I’m Ron Enderland. I was born in Miami, Oklahoma, at Miami Baptist Hospital, a long time ago. I moved out of town at age eight, but Miami is still my hometown, and it always will be. It’s had its ups and downs, financially speaking, but it’s on an upturn now. Still, I want to remember it as it was, and many agree with that sentiment. Thus, I’ve created this site, loaded with photos and history of the place.
The information here is nearly all documented from city guides, from the Miami News-Record, from other well-researched historical sources. Where personal recollection or tradition is involved, this is pointed out. Thus, my confidence in the accuracy of what you find here.
It has a searchable database of businesses over the years. I’m estimating that it has 85-90% of Miami’s businesses between its birth and 1968, and I’m still adding the missing ones. It’s mostly the result of researching the Miami News-Record, and I only have access to papers up to 1968 at this point. But still, it has over 3,000 businesses listed, and can be a fine asset for helping you to track down who was located where and when.
Also, check out Miami’s Postcard Past. This section has a bunch of postcards which open up in good-sized resolution. And for your pleasure, you can get full-sized scans of five Main Street postcards, suitable for desktop wallpaper or for printing.
Check out virtual tours of North Main, South Main, and Central. Also, visit the lost businesses of East and West A Streets. We also have a growing listing of other significant business buildings, and a page devoted to urban exploration. Plus, a page with downloadable historical resources. And check out Miami’s history, briefly.
View of Miami looking north from the First National Bank building, 1966. Used with permission.
Recent articles:
- The Pierce Pennant Tavern
- The Ozark Trails Association and Miami
- A Brief History of Riverview Park
- The Ottawa County Fair
- Ottawa County’s Oldest Resident
Take a virtual historical tour of Miami
North Main
South Main
Central
East and West A
Most Recent Additions to Business Database
| Business Name | Business Address | Date First Seen There | Business Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A.C. Schmedemann Marshall's Auto Store | Main and Central | 1936 | Retail, Auto Parts | Schmedemann was an ace golfer, shot in the 70's. He was the manager at Ward's who started his own business in 1937. No mention after 1938. |
| Miami Products Inc. | 22nd and NW D | 1954 | Misc | |
| American Foods Inc. | 326 NE B | 1946 | Wholesale, Misc | 1958 C0fC member. Closed for renovation in 1961, no mention in the paper after that. |
| Dick Wright Insurance | MEB | 1950 | Services | |
| Miami Asphalt Co. | 530 NE D | 1943 | Services | 1958 C0fC member |
Random Images from Our Library:
Full-Sized Postcard Views of Main Street
North Main, 1965
South Main, 1959
South Main, 1955
Looking north on Main, 1940’s
North Main, 1925
Other Local Historical Resources
Cardin Kids – A Comprehensive History of NE Oklahoma
Ottawa County, Oklahoma, Vintage Photographs from Yesteryear
Dobson Museum – Ottawa County Historical Society
Literally Letty (much Miami history)
Miami Flight 1955 (a wonderful film)
1951 Flyover of the Great Flood
Special thanks to the Miami Chamber of Commerce, the Dobson Museum, and to John Schehrer for providing many historical photographs!
Copyright notice: some of these images are in the public domain. Some have been contributed by others for use on the site, with the understanding that saving internet images is trivial. That being said, if you’d like to use any of the site graphics, my permission is required. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. COPYRIGHT 2021.