Welcome to the Oklahoma City Department of Airports
In the heartland, warm welcomes are always in season. At the OKC Department of Airports, we pride ourselves on creating an inviting atmosphere for all travelers. Learn more about all three of our airports, the friendly faces behind the operations, and more below.
A Tale of Homespun Horizons
Will Rogers was born on election day in 1879, in a small town called Oologah in Indian Territory. He was one of eight children, and he spent his youth riding horses and watching the sunset on golden wheat fields.
Cowboying Up
He was born restless. In 1898 he left school to work as a cowboy in Texas. Before he was 20, he’d traveled around the globe. In 1902 he landed in South Africa. Later, he joined the circus, visiting Australia and New Zealand. He earned his way performing rope tricks. Once in a while, he threw in a homespun line. His act quickly became a hit, and it didn’t take long before he found himself back in Chicago, appearing on the vaudeville stage.
Flight of Fancy and Funny
In 1908, he married the love of his life, Betty Blake. By 1916, he was appearing nightly with the Ziegfeld Follies. By 1918, he’d starred in the first of 70 movies. And by 1919, he’d published two books.
He was our court jester. He made us laugh at ourselves. He entertained royalty and ruffians alike. He joked about the politicians and patriarchs of his day. He was good natured, gentle and wise beyond his years. He was an honored guest – on both sides of the aisle – in Washington, D.C.
In 1922, he began a syndicated newspaper column — a column which continued the rest of his life. He was one of our first radio commentators. He was a born entertainer who laughed along with us. He once said, “I’ve joked about every prominent man in my time, but I’ve never met a man I didn’t like.”
A Star on the Rise
He was fascinated by air travel. He was the world’s first Frequent Flyer, zooming from coast to coast on whatever plane he could find, often riding with the mail pilots.
By 1930, he was world renowned. He’d been the featured speaker at both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. He was quoted as often as the president. He raised thousands of dollars for charities like the Red Cross and Salvation Army.
He served as mayor of Beverly Hills and as America’s “unofficial president.” And, when the need arose, he sided with the poor, the destitute, and the underprivileged. At the height of the Great Depression, he inspired us, reminding America he was on our side.
The Final Frontier
In 1935, he flew to Alaska with friend and famed aviator, Wiley Post — it would be their last flight.
His death was mourned by the entire world. He was a cultural and political icon. He was Oklahoma’s native son. A down-to-earth, gum-chewin’ philosopher who was loved and respected by almost everyone. He was Will Rogers.