August 4, 2022
By Landry Brewer
The Heartland of America Museum is reminding the public of a time when western Oklahomans prepared for nuclear war.
In November 2020, SWOSU history professor and museum board member Landry Brewer acquired some decades-old western Oklahoma Cold War civil defense items, and he created the display “Preparing to Survive Nuclear Attack: Western Oklahoma Cold War Civil Defense,” which is the new rotating exhibit at the Weatherford museum.
The display features items that the federal government provided to Elk City, including water barrels, food, sanitation kits from the 1960s, radioactivity monitoring devices, and part of a civil defense siren that would have warned locals of a nuclear attack.
“While researching Oklahoma civil defense, I learned of specific steps that western Oklahoma cities took to survive nuclear war, and the Heartland Museum wanted to share some of this visually as we approach an important Cold War anniversary this fall,” Brewer said.
During the Kennedy presidency in the early 1960s, the federal government began a nationwide program to identify existing buildings to be used as fallout shelters and stock them with supplies.
Shortly afterward the federal fallout shelter sign was created to be placed on buildings that met the federal government’s criteria, and these would be stocked with survival supplies.
The Elk City fallout shelter supplies that Brewer used for his display were a result of this program.
This October is the 60th anniversary of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, when President Kennedy learned that the Soviet Union was placing missiles in Cuba capable of reaching the United States with nuclear bombs.
“This was the closest that the United States and the Soviet Union came to nuclear war, and newspapers in Elk City and Altus and even the SWOSU student newspaper carried stories about civil defense measures being taken to survive,” Brewer said.
As with the rest of the nation, fallout shelters were identified and stocked in western Oklahoma’s cities, including eight on the SWOSU campus in Weatherford. The museum’s display includes a 1966 photograph of campus shelter Stewart Hall, and a 1970 photo of the Old Science Building, also a fallout shelter.
When the Cold War ended after the Soviet Union disbanded in the early 1990s, many civil defense supplies were placed in storage and, over time, thrown away.
“We’re pleased to preserve some local civil defense artifacts and share them with the public and remember a time when fear of nuclear war was part of daily life for western Oklahomans,” Brewer said.
The Heartland of America Museum is located at 1600 S. Frontage Road, between I-40 Exits 82 & 84 in Weatherford.
Got a news tip? Send it in: Email news@kecofm.com
Copyright 2022 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
🎸 Wild Plum Jam Music Fest 2025 – July 19 in Sayre, OK
Get ready, Western Oklahoma — Wild Plum Jam Music Fest 2025 is back and it might get a little Western! 🤠 Join us on Saturday, July 19 at Sayre City Park for a full day of music,
High School Students Experience College Life Through SWOSU Upward Bound
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – High school students from western Oklahoma are spending part of their summer at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), where they are getting a firsthand look at college life while building academic
Oklahoma Space Industry Agency merges into Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics
By Sandra Shelton, ODAA Oklahoma City, OK – The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA) welcomes the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority, (OSIDA), on July 1, as the state’s space industry agency merges into the Department.
PSO Urges Customers to Beware of Utility Scams Underway in Oklahoma
PSO Press Release Tulsa, OK – PSO is reminding the public and its customers across Oklahoma to remain vigilant against ongoing scam attempts. Recent reports indicate that individuals posing as utility representatives are demanding immediate payment for
Oklahoma Wheat Harvest Nears Completion Despite Rain Delays
The Oklahoma wheat harvest surged forward over the past five days, though progress varied across the state due to scattered rain and persistent humidity. According to the Oklahoma Wheat Commission, high humidity limited working hours even during
West Winds Motel in Erick Named One of Oklahoma’s Most Endangered Places
Erick, OK – Preservation Oklahoma has released its 2025 list of the state’s Most Endangered Places, and Erick’s own West Winds Motel has made the list. Built around 1948 by Floyd Pamplin along historic US-66, the motel
Elk City Gears Up for 4th of July Celebration at Ackley Park
Elk City, OK – Elk City’s annual 4th of July celebration is set for Friday at Ackley Park, promising a full day of family fun, summer attractions, and a grand fireworks display to cap off the night.
SWOSU Names New President’s Leadership Class Members for 2025–26
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has announced the 20th class of its President’s Leadership Class (PLC), a selective leadership development program that recognizes high-achieving students with strong leadership potential. Sixteen high
Boater Rescued After Falling Into Canton Lake Without Life Jacket
Canton Lake, OK — A boating incident on Canton Lake prompted an emergency response Sunday evening after a man fell into the water without a life jacket and couldn’t immediately be located. According to the Oklahoma Highway
Firework Safety Reminder from Local Survivor Ahead of Independence Day
Independence Day lands on Friday, and fireworks will light up the skies all across western Oklahoma. But one local man is urging people not to forget how dangerous those explosives can be. Paragon Communications’ Shawn Wilson knows
Expect Crowded Roads and Construction for July 4th Travel
From the Oklahoma Panhandle to Broken Bow, AAA says a busy Fourth of July travel period is on the way. Nearly 643,000 Oklahomans are expected to travel over the holiday, joining 72.2 million Americans on the move.
Study Highlights SWOSU’s $360.9 Million Economic Impact on Oklahoma
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) contributed more than $360.9 million in total economic output to the State of Oklahoma in fiscal year 2024, according to a new study by the University
Deputies Recover Stolen Vehicle Using Surveillance Footage, Arrest Suspect
Beckham County, OK – Beckham County deputies recovered a stolen vehicle and arrested a suspect Friday (June 20) after a sharp-eyed deputy and some solid police work helped crack the case. According to Sheriff Derek Manning, the
SWOSU Announces Spring 2025 Graduates
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has announced the list of graduates for the Spring 2025 semester. Graduation ceremonies were held in May at the Pioneer Event Center on the Weatherford campus.
Wheat Harvest Reaches 55 Percent Completion in Oklahoma
The 2025 Oklahoma wheat harvest is moving quickly, with many producers and custom harvesters finishing up in the southwest. Significant progress has also been made across central and far western parts of the state, as combines now
Man Caught Climbing Courthouse Scaffolding Says He ‘Wanted to See the Sunset’
Elk City, OK — Beckham County deputies got an unexpected surprise when they spotted a man scaling the scaffolding around the county courthouse in downtown Sayre. According to Sheriff Derek Manning, deputies were leaving the sheriff’s office
Wellington Man Sentenced to Probation for Felony Family Violence Case
Memphis, TX — A Wellington man has been sentenced to probation following a felony plea in Hall County’s 100th Judicial District Court. Jacob Arron Florez, 27, pleaded guilty on Monday to assault family violence by strangulation, a third-degree
Search Warrant Executed in Elk City Drug Investigation
Elk City, OK – On Tuesday, June 24, the Elk City Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence on 9th Street as part of an ongoing drug investigation. The operation is tied to efforts aimed
OSIDA to Weigh Aerospace Expansion and STEM Grant at June 27 Meeting
Oklahoma City, OK — The Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) will consider multiple action items at its upcoming meeting on Friday, June 27, potentially advancing both economic development and education in Western Oklahoma. A key agenda
Beutler Wins Literary Award
By Landry Brewer Amarillo, TX – Randy is dandy at writing great books. Former Southwestern Oklahoma State University President Randy Beutler recently won the Finalist Award in Contemporary Non-Fiction for his book “Impresarios of the Rodeo Arena:
SWOSU Signs International Agreement at Paris Air Show
SWOSU Press Release Paris, France – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) in Weatherford is expanding its global reach with a new educational agreement signed at one of the world’s largest international trade shows. SWOSU President Dr. Diana
Fatal Wreck South of Shattuck Claims Life of Perryton Man
Shattuck, OK — A collision that occurred earlier this month on U.S. Highway 60 has resulted in a fatality, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The crash happened at 7:14 a.m. on Wednesday, June 4, roughly 9
FLETC to Host Advanced Use of Force Training in Elk City
Elk City, OK – The Elk City Police Department is set to host a specialized Use of Force Training presented by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) from September 23rd through 26th, 2025. This advanced course
Birdsong Family Makes Major Gift to SWOSU Football
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Shylan and Carl Birdsong of Amarillo, Texas have made a generous gift to the Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Football Legacy Fund. The SWOSU Football Legacy Fund exists to provide financial
SWODA Receives $30,000 Grant to Launch Mileage Reimbursement Polit Program in Southwest Oklahoma
SWODA Press Release Burns Flat, OK – The South Western Oklahoma Development Authority (SWODA) and the Southwest Oklahoma Regional Transportation Planning Organization (SORTPO) are pleased to announce the grant award of $30,000 from the Carolyn Watson Rural
