By: Sylvia Gann Mahoney

Sylvia Gann Mahoney — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 16:10:52 +0000

Chisholm Trail historian Bob Klemme, a visionary, knew the importance of having tangible evidence of historical history in specific areas. He made Great Western Trail
metal molds for Altus business people to produce 7-foot concrete posts to set every six miles across Oklahoma. During the GWT era, 1874-1893, a buffalo hunter used the Great Western Trail name. In 1965, Texas Tech archivist and history instructor Jimmy M. Skaggs wrote the definitive study for the GWT, documented history for the path of the GWT. Bob knew history; Bob knew Skaggs’ definitive study. Two Altus men crossed the Red River and invited the Texas Vernon Rotary Club members to place GWT posts along the trail in Texas. From there, with the help of Rotarians, more than 250 GWT posts define the 2,000-mile trail. Bob worked to have both trails named as National Historic Trails. The study has been sent to Congress for approval for Chisholm Trail, but the National Park System recommended the name Western Trail for Great Western Trail. Thanks, Bob, for using the documented name GWT; that name will prevail when Congress votes if they see the GWT posts that Bob launched.

Comments on: Enid Historian, Bob Klemme, Dies At 93

By: Sylvia Gann Mahoney