The way we were

I don’t remember the exact date but I do remember the exact day I 40 opened. Our house just happened to be located right along old Route 66. My mother and I were sitting in our living room and she made the comment how much quieter it is now that interstate 40 opened up. Not only was our house right in front of old 66 but we were also at the top of a hill. Semi trucks driving up the hill always shifted right in front of our house. But that day there wasn’t much shifting happening. I also didn’t realize at that time what shifting this I-40 was about to do to my little town.

I came of age in this bustling little town during the seventies. Oh it was the greatest time to be alive. The guys had hot muscle cars or pickup trucks all jacked up in back. Before I or any of my friends were old enough to drive we would sit out on my front porch and watch all those vehicles drag and of course we’d try to get the guys attention. Then the second that drivers license was issued we were out on the town drag as well. We girls knew all the hot guys from the surrounding small communities because they would come to our town to drag too. But along with the guys there were a couple of gals from a neighboring community that us hometown girls didn’t think needed to be in our territory so we politely escorted them out of town, every time! There was so much life going on Saturday night down town Sayre. We had a pool hall, a movie theater, a bowling alley, at least 3 drive ins which were encompassed in the drag. There were Saturday night dances at the legion hall. The full service gas station was open. We girls would stop in Popes DX to use their restroom. Rodney never cared because he was stuck at work and he was always glad to see us come in.

During the day our town had so many businesses to shop at. We had anything you could possibly want. Jewelry stores, clothing stores, at least 3 appliance stores. A malt shop in the drug store that gift wrapped for free. A five and dime as well as an elegant women’s clothing store. Christmas time was so very special down town. The city would string decorations across Main Street and we all loved seeing the Santa Clause in front of Lawrence’s department store automatically go up and down his little chimney. Every Saturday afternoon during the holiday time so many people would gather downtown to be there for the big drawing. They put all the tickets in a big drum up on a trailer for all to see. I’d watch as the tickets spun around as the man turned the big drum. He’d stop and call a lucky number then shut it and turn it some more. It was an enjoyable community event where people got to visit one another and a few got to leave with prizes. I cherished being able to walk to town on Saturdays with my allowance and buy some 45’s or if I’d saved enough a whole album. I might pick up a MAD or Seventeen magazine as well. Being a growing girl, some Saturdays my mother would take me down town to C.R. Anthony’s. We would fuss over what she thought looked good on me compared to what I thought looked good. When we finally agreed on a few things on layaway it would go. No instant gratification for this gal! But it had its perks of generating anticipation for the day it was paid in full and they were mine to wear. The town had lots of motels and small cafes to choose from. There were even apartments rented out above some down town businesses. The oilfield was booming at the time and kept things going for a while.

But in the mid 80’s the oilfield started dying out. With the loss of that then the loss of the route 66 traffic was becoming more evident. Businesses were struggling to keep their doors open. They couldn’t sell out to anyone so one by one they’d close. A few smart businesses located near the I-40 exits and they are still doing well but as far as downtown it’s now such a sad sight to see. So many vacant run down buildings where so much commerce once took place. There’s not a soul downtown at night because there’s absolutely no reason to be. Kids are no longer making drags, honking, waving each other down for friendships or more. Actually there’s hardly any cars out at all on a Friday or Saturday night. If they are it’s just for a trip to pick up something then back home again.

Now if you’re a traveler just passing through you might not think as much of it, just yet again another small town that lost out.
But there are those of us that did live here when this little town was alive! When there were lots of employment opportunities, plenty of people, fun and excitement to be had every Saturday night! And we are still here. And we so very much long for the way we were.