Mural remembers Cherokee roots: "Heart of Claremore" showcases six historical Cherokee figures
Jun. 25—Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilor Keith Austin remembers taking his mother to lunch years ago at Main Street Tavern in Claremore. Former Claremore Main Street Executive Director Jacob Garrison approached Austin about an idea to put a mural on the wall on the other side of the building.
Austin said Garrison asked if the Cherokee Nation would like to be involved. Austin said he had a rough draft of a plan ready within three days.
"I knew that, because of our chief's specific interest in history, his keen understanding of the importance of our history, and his keen belief that we need to make sure that our history is not forgotten — so that our future generations are not only knowledgeable about their past, but they're prepared for their future — I knew that he would also want to see this done," Austin said.
Members of the Claremore community and Cherokee Nation gathered Thursday to dedicate the late Rogers County Cherokee artist Sherilyne Pack-Chambers' mural "Heart of Claremore." The "Heart of Claremore" is displayed at North Missouri Avenue and West Fourth Street.
Pack-Chambers began her research and work on the mural in the summer of 2020.
Her father-in-law Steve Chambers said she worked on the mural for a long time because she wanted it to be different and unique.
"She wanted to tell the lesser known story of Claremore," he said.
The bid for a mural was distributed to all Cherokee Nation artists and her submission was selected.
Pack-Chambers planned on handing every family member a paint brush and painting the mural together.
"She wanted it to be a family deal," father Gary Pack said.
Unfortunately, Pack-Chambers passed away in 2021.
Pack said he knew his daughter would be an artist from the time she could pick up a pen.
"Her goal was to be an art professor and she did it," he said.
Pack-Chambers received her master's degree in Art from Rogers State University.
Pack said her favorite form of art was Indian art.
Pack-Chambers has over 20 pieces of art on display throughout the Cherokee Nation. Some locations include the Cherokee Nation Tribal Complex, Cherokee Nation Outpatient Health Center, OSU Teaching Hospital, Wilma P. Mankiller Health Center, American Woodmark and the Catoosa Employee Clinic.
Pack said seeing her work on the side of the building left him speechless.
"If you knew her, you were lucky," he said.
Chambers said Pack-Chambers originally designed the painting on the computer to be submitted. The submission was able to be digitized and printed on 3m vinyl.
"That's her original work," he said.
The mural showcases several prominent Cherokees from the area, including the following:
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Jesse Bartley Milam (1884-1948) served as Principal Chief of Cherokee Nation from 1941-1949. Milam was raised in nearby Chelsea before co-founding and serving as the first president of Rogers County Bank in Claremore. Milam was inducted into the Claremore Hall of Fame in 2017.
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Admiral Jocko Clark (1893-1971), raised in Chelsea, became the first Native American to graduate from the United States Naval Academy in 1917. One of the most renowned admirals during World War II, he was sometimes referred to as the "Patton of the Pacific." Clark was inducted into the Claremore Hall of Fame in 2019.
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Clem Rogers McSpadden (1925-2008), celebrated rodeo announcer and politician, served in the Oklahoma Senate from 1954-1972 and the United States House of Representatives from 1973-1975. Born and raised in nearby Bushyhead, McSpadden was a nephew of Cherokee humorist Will Rogers. McSpadden was inducted into the Claremore Hall of Fame in 2015.
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Maggie Culver Fry (1900-1998), Oklahoma poet laureate (1977), published six books and more than 800 articles, stories and poems throughout her career. Much of her adult life was spent in or near the Claremore area. She was inducted into the Claremore Hall of Fame in 2015.
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Andrew Hartley Payne (1907-1977), born in nearby Foyil, is perhaps best known for winning the 1928 International Trans-American Footrace along Route 66. Payne earned a law degree at Oklahoma City University and worked 38 years as a clerk of the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Payne was inducted into the Claremore Hall of Fame in 2010.
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Lynn Riggs (1899-1954), born in Claremore, is one of the American Southwest's most distinguished playwrights. His play, "Green Grow the Lilacs," was adapted by Rodgers and Hammerstein into the musical "Oklahoma!" He was inducted into the Claremore Hall of Fame in 2010.
Austin said these Cherokee people led in so many diverse ways — government, military, tribal government, business, banking, poetry, rodeo, athletics and art.
"They all have one thing in common," he said. "They were communicators. Every one of these people's talent was that they could motivate people to get on their team and help them to get the job done that they want to get done."
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said during the dedication ceremony that this is a time to review history, tell the stories and celebrate in Cherokee history.
"The best days of the Cherokee Nation are ahead of us, because of the work of the good people that came before us," he said.
The project was made possible through a partnership between Cherokee Nation Businesses, the city of Claremore and the Claremore Main Street Association.
"My hope and my commitment, as long as they will allow me to be here is that we will continue the partnership that we have," Claremore City Manager John Feary said. "I want 100 years from now, people to remember the types of folks that were involved in this community, in the Cherokee Nation, that set that next standard — that set the bar for the next five generations of Claremore and Cherokee folks."
