The Person:
Gene Autry was born 9/29/1907 in Tioga, Texas and lived much of his childhood in Southern Oklahoma. In 1941, he bought a 1200 acre Flying A Ranch west of Berwyn, Oklahoma and in his honor, they renamed the town Gene Autry. He is the only celebrity to have five stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, for his work in Motion Picture, Radio, Music Recording, TV and Live Performance. He was discovered by Will Rogers and catapulted to fame during the 1930s to 1960s. In 1935, his movie Tumbling Tumbleweeds was the first Western musical. During WWII, he was an Army Air Force pilot from 1942-1945. Gene Autry died on 10/2/1998 at the age of 91.
The coordinates above are at the Gene Autry Post Office on Prairie Street. The post office shares the WPA-constructed school building with the Gene Autry Oklahoma Museum. The museum is filled with memorabilia from Gene Autry and other singing cowboys. There are movie posters, photos, guitars and other fun items like children's toys with the Gene Autry theme. Information about the cowboy way of life, and the town of Gene Autry can be learned from the knowledgeable staff. It is a fun place to visit.
The Place:
The town of Gene Autry is a small rural community in northeastern Carter County, about 15 miles from Ardmore. The population is approximately 160. The Ardmore Municipal Airport is located just to the north of town. The town was established in 1883 with the name "Lou". Shortly after it was renamed "Dresden". Then, in September, 1887 it was renamed again to Berwyn, after a town of the railroad's main line. Then, as mentioned above, in 1941 it was renamed Gene Autry, to honor this entertainment icon.