Sapulpa Trolley History

In December 1907, pickaxes first struck dirt to lay rails for a Sapulpa trolley system.  By January 1917, there were thirteen miles of track.  The route covered many streets in town.  According to the Sapulpa Light newspaper of July 16, 1909, "the plucky little city had just raised $75,000 for the packing plant and $75,000 for the Interurban."

The railway was first the Sapulpa and Interurban Railway Company, and after becoming bankrupt in 1912, it was reorganized as the Sapulpa Electric Interurban.  It is thought that the link to Tulsa was completed by late 1918.  By October 25, 1921, routes included approximately 9 miles of city route as well as extension from South Main and Taft to and into the town of Kiefer, in Creek County.  Sapulpa Electric Interurban stockholders determined on January 4, 1921, to sell to the Oklahoma Union Railway, and a deed was signed October 25, 1921.  At that time there were two routes within the city of Sapulpa, the Fife Place Line and the Forest Park Line.  Some sources say that the Oklahoma Union Traction company subsequently became the Oklahoma Union Railway.

The new Interurban to Sapulpa connected to Oklahoma Union Railway at the Owen Park Line, Tulsa.  Rolled canvas route signs preserved from the "Maggie M." were gently unrolled to reveal Tulsa stops such as "North Main, South Main, South Frisco, Show Grounds," and others.  The double rolls feature 4" high white lettering, and are 24" wide, bordered on top and bottom with perforated copper runners which moved on sprockets.  Movable placards were placed in the front windows for town destinations.  The Maggie M saw service as a Tulsa trolley and as a Sapulpa Interurban car.

On June 29, 1929, the Mississippi Valley Trust company filed a bill of complaint against Oklahoma Union Railway, and in September of 1933, for the amount of $21,000, receivers transferred the property to Oklahoma Union Salvage Company.  At this time, Orville Ross Bennett, Sr., and his son, Merton A. Bennett purchased the former trolley car, removed the wheels, and placed it at 912-916 South Main in Sapulpa.  It served as the office for the Bennett and Son Diamond DX Oil Company.  In 1942, Merton joined the Frisco Railroad, and the car was moved to the property of Merton and his wife, Maggie Anthony Bennett, where it became his workshop.

The car has been given the name "Maggie M" as a tribute to Maggie and Merton Bennett.

- History courtesy of Shirley Ann Bennett Brooks