Episode 162: The Skirvin Hotel – The Grande Dame’s Double Life

"I don't think it's haunted. I think NBA players are just a bunch of sissies." — Petra Germany, Skirvin Artist-in-Residence

In this episode, we step inside the revolving doors of Oklahoma City’s most storied landmark: The Skirvin Hilton. From its 1911 debut as the "Waldorf of the Heartland" to its dark years as a boarded-up ruin, the Skirvin has mirrored the boom-and-bust soul of Oklahoma itself.

We trace the vision of oil tycoon W.B. Skirvin, a man who didn't let Prohibition dampen the party, installing a statue of Bacchus in the lobby and allegedly running a high-stakes speakeasy on the 10th floor. We also highlight the hotel's pivotal role in the Civil Rights movement, marking the moment in 1958 when activist Clara Luper led the charge to make the Skirvin the first fully integrated major hotel in the city.

But luxury and legacy aren't the only things checking in. We dive deep into the "Spooks" that have made the Skirvin a legendary adversary for the NBA. Is there any truth to the tragic tale of Effie, the ghost of a desperate maid, or is she a folk legend born from the hotel's colorful past?

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Architecture of Ambition: How Gothic Revival style and $100,000 Austrian chandeliers defined Oklahoma luxury.

• Prohibition & Perle Mesta: Secret tunnels, "The Hostess with the Mostess," and a 99% perfect restaurant score.

• The NBA vs. The 10th Floor: Why stars like Kyrie Irving, Lou Williams, and Metta World Peace are terrified of this hotel (and why the resident artist thinks they're "sissies").

• Fact vs. Folklore: Uncovering the real-life tragedies of the Skirvin, from the 1903 murder of the real Effie to the mysterious death of manager Frederick Scherubel.

Sources:

• Haunted Oklahoma by Jeff Provine

• BBC

• Abandoned Oklahoma

Episode 161: Jim Thorpe Pt. 2 – The Bright Path Beyond the Gold

In the conclusion of our two-part series, we follow Jim Thorpe as he hangs up his cleats and heads west to the silver screen. While the world remembers him as the "greatest athlete in the world," this episode explores the gritty, complex, and often heartbreaking chapters of his life that followed his Olympic and professional sports career.

From the glitz of Hollywood to the halls of Washington D.C., and finally to a controversial resting place in a town he never visited, we trace the "Bright Path" of a man who spent his final decades fighting for the dignity of his people.

• Hollywood & Activism: Discover Jim’s prolific film career, appearing in over 70 movies. We dive into his role as a pioneer for authentic Indigenous representation, his fight against "Redface," and his work founding the Indian Center in Los Angeles.

• The Lobbyist: Hear how Thorpe used his fame and speaking fees to lobby the federal government for Sac and Fox land rights, earning the title Akapamata (Caregiver).

• Personal Triumphs and Tragedies: A deep look at Jim’s three marriages, his eight children—including the activist legacy of his daughter Grace—and his lifelong battle with alcoholism and poverty during the Great Depression.

• A "Stolen" Legacy: The shocking story of Jim’s 1953 funeral, where his third wife, Patricia, interrupted traditional Sac and Fox rites to "shop" his remains to a Pennsylvania coal town in search of a monument Oklahoma refused to build.

• Justice Delayed: The 110-year journey to restore Jim as the sole gold medalist of the 1912 Olympics, finally achieved in 2022.

• The Path Forward: We highlight the modern-day efforts of his descendants and the Sac and Fox Nation to bring his "bones" home, alongside upcoming film projects produced by LeBron James and Angelina Jolie.

"His mother named him Wa-Tho-Huk, meaning 'Bright Path.' Though that path was often shadowed by tragedy and systemic racism, it remains a beacon for Indigenous athletes and activists today."

• 70+: The number of films Thorpe appeared in between 1931 and 1950.

• 110 Years: The time it took for the IOC to officially reinstate him as the sole gold medalist (1912–2022).

• 1982: The year the "30-day rule" was discovered, proving his disqualification was illegal.

• $2,000: The annual scholarship amount currently offered by the Jim Thorpe Memorial Foundation to Native youth.

Sources:

• Olympics - Jim Thorpe

• Oklahoma Historical Society

• United States Olympic and Paralympics Museum

• CBS News

• Pro Football Hall of Fame

• Path Lit By Lightning by David Maraniss
  

Episode 160: Jim Thorpe – The Bright Path of an American Icon

"Sir, you are the greatest athlete in the world." — King Gustav V of Sweden to Jim Thorpe, 1912.

This episode explores the Herculean life of James Francis Thorpe (Wa-Tho-Huk), a man whose athletic dominance was so absolute that he redefined the limits of human potential. From the rugged wilderness of Oklahoma to the podiums of Stockholm, Thorpe’s journey is a testament to resilience in the face of systemic erasure.

• A Natural Foundation: Born in a log cabin in Indian Territory (1887/1888), Thorpe’s childhood was his training ground. He developed legendary lung capacity by swimming the North Canadian River and explosive power by chasing wild horses.

• The Weight of Loss: The tragic death of his twin brother, Charlie, and later his parents, fueled a "restless disposition" that manifested in his habit of running hundreds of miles to escape the rigid discipline of Indian boarding schools.

• The Street-Clothes Legend: In 1907, Thorpe walked onto a track in overalls and a dress shirt, borrowed shoes, and immediately shattered the school high jump record at 5' 9".

• Pop Warner’s Protégé: Under the legendary coach, Thorpe became a "one-man track team" and a football terror. He famously scored all 18 points in the 1911 upset against Harvard and once eluded 30 varsity players in a single drill to prove his toughness.

• The Mismatched Shoes: After his shoes were stolen on the morning of his events, Thorpe scavenged two different shoes from a trash bin, wearing extra socks to make them fit. He still won gold in both the Pentathlon and Decathlon.

• The Statistical Margin: In the decathlon, he scored 8,412.95 points, beating the runner-up by nearly 700 points—a record that remained untouched for 36 years.

• The Non-Citizen Champion: Ironically, as a Native American, Thorpe was not legally a U.S. citizen when he won gold; the Indian Citizenship Act didn't pass until 1924.

• The Scandal: In 1913, the AAU stripped his medals over a technicality: he had earned roughly $25 a week playing minor-league baseball, a common practice college athletes usually hid under aliases. Thorpe, famously honest, used his real name.

  • Three-Sport Titan:

  • • MLB: Played six seasons, ending with a .327 average in his final 60 games.

    • NFL: Helped found the league; served as the first president of the APFA (now the NFL) in 1920.

    • The Oorang Indians: Led an all-Native American NFL team that featured halftime shows of tomahawk throwing and bear wrestling.

Jim Thorpe wasn't just an athlete; he was a political and cultural symbol. While American officials sought to strip his identity and his medals, his competitors—the very men who "won" by default—refused to accept his titles, recognizing him as the sole true champion. His medals were finally restored in 1982, and in 2022, he was officially reinstated as the sole winner of his 1912 events.

Sources:

• Olympics - Jim Thorpe

• Oklahoma Historical Society

• United States Olympic and Paralympics Museum

• CBS News

• Pro Football Hall of Fame

• Path Lit By Lightning by David Maraniss