Press Release
June 26, 2024
Contact: Shea J. Otley
State Historic Preservation Office, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 405-522-4485
shea.otley@history.ok.gov
www.okhistory.org/shpo
Beckham County Owners Receive Centennial Farm Awards
OKLAHOMA CITY — Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Lynda Ozan announced that Oklahoma Centennial Farm awards have been presented to the owners of two Beckham County farms.
Helen McLaury Burrows owns the McLaury Family Farm located northwest of Sayre. The family, including Helen’s husband of 45 years and farm manager Kenny Burrows, has run a cow/calf operation and raised cotton, wheat, love grass, and native bluestem hay on the land since grandfather Shirley George (S. G.) McLaury, Sr. settled the land in 1920.
James and Gloria Gurley own Gurley Farms also located in the vicinity of Sayre. The family has grown wheat and raised cattle on the land since grandfather C. E. Gurley settled the land in 1921.
To qualify for a Centennial Farm or Ranch Award, a property must be occupied by a family member for at least 100 years and currently be operated or occupied by a family member or leased out by a family member. The property must include a minimum of 40 acres and gross annual sales of at least $1,000. The Oklahoma Historical Society and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry have sponsored the Centennial Farm & Ranch Awards for 35 years, in which time 36 awards have been given in Beckham County.
For further information about the Centennial Farm & Ranch Program, contact Shea J. Otley at 405-522-4485 or shea.otley@history.ok.gov.
The State Historic Preservation Office is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.
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