Abernathy Boys Statue & Exhibit

www.tillmanokhistory.org | 580-335-5844 | West of Tillman Courthouse

 

Two Frederick boys became national celebrities at age 6 and 10 when they rode alone by horseback from Frederick, OK to Washington, D.C. in 1910.  This life-size statue and exhibit honor the boys well by telling their story.

A newly-installed life-size Statue of Bud and Temple Abernathy on the Tillman County Courthouse Square honors two Frederick boys who, in 1910, became national celebrities at age 6 and 10 when they rode alone by horseback from Frederick to Washington, D.C. to visit President Taft, and on to New York City where they greeted former President (and family friend) Theodore Roosevelt on his return from an African safari.

The boys then drove back to Oklahoma in a Brush Automobile. Their stories and adventures are documented in many photographs and old news articles, and will honored in a new exhibit that will be housed in the Pioneer Townsite Museum. The exhibit was part of the 2007 Oklahoma State Centennial Celebration, and includes an original Brush Automobile.

Abernathy Day Celebration coming up June 2, 2023 at 5:30pm - Pioneer Townsite Musuem.

This is a fascinating story of courage and adventure!  Books are for sale at the Chamber office.