Shirley Killian

Sayre (Images of America Series) Shirley Killian

Sayre, Oklahoma, was founded shortly after the railroad arrived on September 14, 1901. Before that, it was known as Riverton because of its location near the North Fork of the Red River. When the Choctaw, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad completed its line to Sayre,

businesses sprang up overnight, causing many people from surrounding communities to move closer to the rail. Sayre's historical downtown area is home to many buildings that date from the city's founding in 1901. When Route 66 was constructed through Sayre, transportation was solidified as the community's main industry. The town began to grow again when Farmrail launched an American Short Line Regional Railroad through Sayre and its surrounding area in 1981. Through the years, many legendary people have called Sayre home, including horseman Walter Merrick, world champion bull rider Justin McBride,

bronc riders Gene Ross and Jonas DeArmon, and singer Roger Miller. The community is known for its natural beauty, sensational sunsets, and a flat landscape that allows one to see for miles in every direction. Shirley Killian was born and raised on a farm at Delhi, Oklahoma, just south of Sayre, and learned a lot about life while growing up in the country. Shirley and her husband, Ray, have lived in the area for most of their 53 years together. They have owned and operated the RS & K Railroad Museum for the past 20 years.