Former Tulsa World Publisher Eugene Lorton and Mayor Herman Newblock are shown in a historical photo in front of the first officially legal beer delivery in eastern Oklahoma. This significant event took place in July 1933 at the Tulsa World Building, as Lorton had advocated for the legalization of beer sales in Oklahoma.

Oklahomans had a strong desire for beer.

This was particularly true in Tulsa, where there had never previously been legal beer sales. The populace eagerly voted in favor of the legalization of 3.2% alcohol beer on July 11, 1933.

In Tulsa County, this proposal received overwhelming support, passing by more than a four-to-one margin. Similarly, in Oklahoma County, the initiative was approved at nearly a three-to-one rate.

Across the state, the proposition was passed by a two-thirds majority, although it was surmised that more individuals might have voted in favor had the temperature not been excessively high.

The weather on Election Day soared to 105 degrees, marking the 15th day in a row of temperatures exceeding 100 degrees.

Despite the overwhelming support, the implementation was not immediate.

Governor William H. “Alfalfa Bill” Murray announced that the commencement of beer sales would only occur following an official proclamation. He also deployed the Oklahoma National Guard to secure the 50 rail carriages filled with beer at the Oklahoma City railway yard, preventing them from being accessed prematurely.

Though Attorney General J. Berry King declared that the beer sales were legalized following the election, dealers chose to wait until the governor sanctioned the sales. The Frisco Railroad was allowed by Governor Murray to transport 43 freight cars filled with beer into Tulsa, with the stipulation that they remain unloaded until his approval was granted.

Out of these, 27 freight cars were designated for Tulsa.

In anticipation of the governor’s nod, beer companies and vendors secured prominent advertisements in the Tulsa World newspaper on that day.

The following day, Governor Murray officially authorized the sales, marking this event with the delivery of the first legally sold case of beer in eastern Oklahoma to Eugene Lorton, the Publisher of Tulsa World. This historic delivery occurred in front of the World Building at 315 S. Boulder Ave., and was notably made using a wagon drawn by the renowned six-horse team of Anheuser-Busch.

A large number of people from Tulsa congregated in front of the newspaper office to observe the event, with notable attendees including Mayor Herman Newblock and World Editor N.G. Henthorne, who participated in both the state and Tulsa County committees of the Beer for Oklahoma League.

Lorton was a pioneer in campaigning for the legalization of beer sales in Oklahoma.

Within two days, a price competition arose, with numerous beer vendors reducing their prices to 15 cents per bottle, down from 20 cents. Previously, beer distributors and vendors had reached a consensus that beer would be maintained at 20 cents per bottle in hotels, coffee shops, and restaurants, and sold at two bottles for 35 cents in grocery stores.

According to a survey, only a handful of drugstores were still charging the 20-cent price. Those sticking to the agreed price indicated they might have to lower their prices to stay competitive.

Like this column? Read all the columns in the Only in Oklahoma series from the Tulsa World Archive.

Only in Oklahoma is a series from the Tulsa World Archive that was written by former Tulsa World Managing Editor Gene Curtis during the Oklahoma Centennial in 2007. The columns told interesting stories from the history of the country’s 46th state. The Tulsa World Archive is home to more than 2.3 million stories, 1.5 million photographs and 55,000 videos. Tulsa World subscribers have full access to all the content in the archive. Not a subscriber? We have a digital subscription special offer of $1 for three months for a limited time at tulsaworld.com/subscribe.

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