The St. James Hotel.

The name just sounds classy, doesn’t it? In its day, the St. James was THE classy spot to stay in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Even in the 1940’s, when it had seen better days, it was spruced up to host the governor of the state of New York, Thomas E. Dewey.

In 1944, Dewey was the Republican candidate for the presidency and gathered 46% of the vote, but lost to Franklin Roosevelt. When the NY governor visited Sapulpa and its St. James Hotel, he was gearing up for the ’48 election.

The July 21, 1947 issue of Time Magazine carried a story of Dewey’s small-town visit and his local connection:

Nothing could be done about the sweltering, 90° heat. But the little town of Sapulpa, Okla. (pop. 12,000) had done everything else it could to prepare for the arrival of a home-town girl—Frances Hutt Dewey. The rickety old St. James Hotel was freshly scrubbed. Waitresses and porters sweated in new uniforms; the best suite had been completely done over by a local furniture store. At the Frisco station a crowd gathered to cheer Frances and her husband. New York’s Governor Thomas E. Dewey.

There is still a Dewey Street in Sapulpa. Whether it got its name from that visit is probably known by the historical society. In the case of the hotel, both the name and the building are long-gone as far as I can tell.

It was hopping in 1914 though.

It’s never money, but I’ve mentioned the odd things that come in with books. One of the images is a Christmas menu from the St James Hotel, which may be more easily read by clicking on the picture. The text is clipped in the image for some reason. Underneath the hotel’s name at the bottom it reads: Sapulpa, Oklahoma – in the same Old English text style.

Guests could expect a wide variety of entrees that Christmas evening, from appetizers to desserts. Some exotic, some not so. Celery hearts and Radishes? Zowie. That’s some fine dining.

The Virginia Ham, though, was barbecued and prepared Century Style, which may be a method forever lost to history. (Or maybe it is still common on Sapulpa dinner tables. Anyone? Anyone?) There was Roast Young Turkey and Crab Flake a la Newburg. Broiled Lake Superior White Fish. Blue Point Oyster Cocktail. The candied sweet potatoes must have been tasty and I’m always a sucker for mashed potatoes.

Then there was English plum pudding, Hot Mince Pie, Vanilla Ice Cream, and Hard or Brandy Sauce.

If this little piece of paper could only talk, I’d ask it whether the Christmas Dinner was a special event or an annual tradition, and whether everyone who was anyone in Sapulpa was there – by invitation. Or was it open to the public?

Lots of history, right there in that menu, without too many answers. It is certain that Sapulpa had some time in the sun, and – at least during the week of the Time Magazine article – the attention of the entire nation.

The things found in books aren’t always stories, but many have a story to tell.

Come visit!

McHuston

Booksellers & Irish Bistro
Rose District
122 South Main St, Broken Arrow OK!