Guthrie took center stage at the Oklahoma State Capitol as lawmakers celebrated the city’s history and recognized the legacy of a decorated local veteran.
The State Capitol hosted the second annual Guthrie Day, welcoming the Guthrie Chamber of Commerce, city leaders, chamber officials, and local business owners to Oklahoma City. Senator Chuck Hall was joined by Reps. Collin Duel and John Pfeiffer in recognizing Guthrie representatives on the Senate floor.
Among those honored were Mayor Adam Ropp, City Manager Eddie Faulkner, and Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Brittany Timmons. A formal citation celebrating Guthrie Day was also read during the event.
“Guthrie has it going on,” Hall said, noting the city’s roots dating back to the Land Run of 1889 and its continued growth as a hub for small businesses and the state’s film industry.
During the session, the Senate also passed Senate Resolution 33, recognizing the military service and public contributions of former Guthrie resident Oscar J. Upham. The resolution also commemorates the naming of the Guthrie post office in his honor.
Related article: Guthrie Post Office to be named for Medal of Honor Recipient Oscar J. Upham
Upham’s great-granddaughter, Kathy Hayes, and her son, Cooper, were present on the Senate floor for the reading of the resolution.
Upham, born in Ohio to Irish immigrant parents, came to Guthrie as a teenager during the Land Run of 1889. He is credited with firing the first shot in the Spanish-American War and later received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions during the Boxer Rebellion, where he served as a security officer for a multinational delegation.
He later became the first inductee into the Guthrie Military Hall of Fame and was also honored in the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame. Upham died in 1949.
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