woody guthrie
posted in music
woody guthrie boyhood home
from woody guthrie posted in music by crabapple
Just down the street, on the Woody Guthrie family lot, is a tall cedar tree that has been carved into a Guthrie memorial.
On the east side, the carving reads W.G. and Okemah, and the other side says "This Land is Your Land." There is a path and a handrail up to the carving.
The carving was done by the neighbor across the street who has other carvings in his yard.
crystal theater
from woody guthrie posted in music by crabapple
On the SW corner of this intersection is the Crystal Theater, a vaudeville theater that was built in 1921 (when Guthrie was nine years old).
Woody would later recall how he used to sneak in to watch cowboy movies and other silent films. Today, the Crystal Theater is one of the venues that hosts the annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival.
highland cemetery
from woody guthrie posted in music by crabapple
North of Okemah a few blocks on Woody Guthrie Blvd (which turns into N3770 Rd) is Highland Cemetery. The cemetery contains the graves for Woody Guthrie's family: his sister, Clara Edna (who was burned to death in 1918), and Woody's parents, Nora Belle and Charley Edward Guthrie.
Woody Guthrie also has a grave marker at Highland (even though he was cremated and his ashes spread at Coney Island). Guthrie's marker is engraved with the words "Bound For Glory," and a self-portrait cartoon drawn by him.
kfvd radio station
from woody guthrie posted in music by crabapple
Woody Guthrie arrived in Los Angeles in 1937 and encountered the same scorn and hatred that other "Okies" received from Californians.
Guthrie found a home at the KFVD radio station singing "old-timey" tunes as well as his own originals.
Together with his singing partner "Lefty Lou" (Maxine Crissman), Guthrie attracted attention to the plight of the Okies, as well as provided songs and stories that reminded them of home.
Guthrie also honed his skill as a political commentator, railing against corruption, injustice, and other violations of human rights. The radio show would last until 1940, when differences between station owner Frank Burke and Guthrie ended the relationship.
woody guthrie boyhood home
from woody guthrie posted in music by pete_nice
Previously located at this now vacant lot was the boyhood home of Woody Guthrie. Named the London House for the previous builder/owner, the home was built in the early 1800's.
It was purchased in 1962 by local booster Earl Walker who hoped to restore it to honor Guthrie. However, due to Guthrie's political views, Walker had difficulty in securing funding for the project. The city council also forced Walker to tear down the house in the late 70's due to people using it as a drinking haunt.
Walker kept the original boards that constructed the house, and an ongoing plan is in the works to recreate the Guthrie house in Okemah from the salvaged material.