A nostalgic trip to Eufaula’s past will be the topic at the 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, meeting of the Friends of the Eufaula Memorial Library.
Kay Foley Owens will share notes taken by her father, Marshall Foley— football hero supreme and son of Cornelius E. Foley, one of Eufaula’s most formidable founding figures. The notes offer a personal look at the town’s early years, preserved through generations of a family deeply tied to Eufaula and Indian Territory.
“As my father was, I am very proud of the history our family has with Eufaula and Indian Territory,” Owens said while arrangements were being made for her presentation. The Friends are pleased to welcome her to share this special heritage at a free, open-to-the-public meeting.
Marshall Foley was the star running back when the Eufaula football team captured a state championship in 1926, completing an undefeated season that lifted community pride during a time when the town was still forging its identity. Ever wonder how the team came to be known as the Ironheads? The nickname dates to that era, when Coach Harry “Ironhead” Hansard led the team during Foley’s standout years.
Football then was more than a game; it was part of how the community bonded and defined itself. The fierce rivalry between Eufaula and Checotah began in those early years, and its frenzy continues to this day.
Owens’ presentation will also touch on the remarkable legacy of her grandfather, Cornelius E. Foley. In 1898, the same year Eufaula was incorporated with a population of about 800, a devastating fire destroyed much of downtown. Foley quickly responded by building the Foley Building at Main Street and Foley Avenue, a magnificent structure that stood for more than a century until its collapse in 2021.
It is little wonder Eufaulans elected Foley as the town’s first mayor. After another fire destroyed what had been used as the county courthouse in 1925, Foley constructed a onestory replacement using salvaged materials from the ruins. His influence continued for decades: Eufaula’s first traffic light was installed at Main and Foley in 1947, and in 1961 a historical marker was placed on Creek Council grounds on Foley Mountain—a lasting testament to his impact.
Foley was also instrumental in bringing water from the North Canadian River through towers and pipes to fire hydrants, drinking fountains, and watering troughs, laying critical groundwork for public safety and daily life in early Eufaula.
For more of these often forgotten contributions, the public is invited to attend the Friends of the Eufaula Memorial Library meeting at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20. Reservations are not required.
Owens’ presentation is the second of twelve free programs planned for 2025 by the Friends. Information about upcoming 2026 programs will be available, along with membership forms for those interested in helping enhance Eufaula’s cultural landscape. Annual membership is $5.
