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Who doesn’t love a little nostalgia?
With the appointment of a new Executive Committee Member, Ashley Miller, to the 2024 Chamber Board of Directors, I started thinking about the history of our past Chamber Chairs. You see, we thought we may have a Chamber Chair first in the making. Ashley is our Vice-Chair, but will eventually move into the Chamber Chair’s seat in two years. Ashley’s brother, Erik Peitz, was our Chamber Chair in 2019, and we think when Ashley becomes Chamber Chair in 2026, it will be our first brother and sister duo to serve as chairs!
So, please step into a moment of nostalgia for our organization’s rich history as I take a stroll down memory lane recollecting the connections of some of the remarkable individuals who once held the prestigious position of Chamber Chair. Through the ebbs and flows of time, the past Chamber Chairs form a dynamic tapestry of interconnected leadership, weaving a thread of continuity that binds the history of our chamber into a resilient and vibrant narrative.
This month, let’s start by exploring the influential roles of four Northcutt men who served as chamber chairs of the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce. C.E. Northcutt was the Chamber Chair in 1933 and was the mayor of Ponca City from 1935-38. He was a physician in partnership with Dr. Niemann, and together they ran the Niemann-Northcutt Clinic in Ponca City located on the 4th floor of the Security Bank Building now known as City Central. Then in 1941, the 2nd Northcutt, L. (Lawrence) R. Northcutt served as the Chamber Chair, and he was a pharmacist at Northcutt Rexall Drug in Ponca City, which we believe was located at 4th and South Avenue. C.E. and L.R. Northcutt were brothers.
The 3rd Northcutt serving as a Chamber Chair for the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce was C.D. Northcutt in 1950. C. (Clarence) D. (Dewey) Northcutt came to Ponca City and worked for his cousin, C.E. Northcutt as the office manager for the Niemann-Northcutt Clinic while he established his law firm. C.D. attended the University of Oklahoma and graduated when he was 20 years old, but could not take the bar exam until he turned 21 years old. C.D. was awarded the Outstanding Citizen award in 1982 and was later inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2001, along with many other accomplishments. Gayle Northcutt Young, a current resident of Ponca City, is the daughter of C.D., and several other relatives still live and work in Ponca City today.
The final Northcutt serving as Chair of the Chamber in 1964, was Paul E. Northcutt. Paul came to Ponca City to practice law with his beloved brother C.D. in 1950 after graduating from the University of Oklahoma School of Law. Paul and his brother C.D. were both decorated war veterans. Northcutt and Northcutt Law Firm was located on the 2nd floor of the Security Bank Building. The Northcutt, Clark, Oldfield, and Jech law firm, founded by Senior Partner, C. D., is still serving northern Oklahoma today at City Central.
Brothers C.E. and L.R. were cousins to brothers C.D. and Paul. These two sets of brothers left an enduring legacy as past Chamber Chairs united in their commitment to economic growth and community engagement. Their collaborative leadership has set a standard of excellence for our organization, showcasing the powerful impact of familial bonds and shared vision.
After nine months with the Chamber, I have had many people help me discover some incredible history of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce! Thank you to Suzanne Zanardi, Gayle Young, Bobby Gibson, Pat Mulligan, Larry Bittman, Kelly Johnson and Larry Murphy to name a few. Stay tuned for more nostalgia next month!
The Ponca City Chamber of Commerce is a dynamic organization committed to promoting and supporting the growth and prosperity of Ponca City, Oklahoma, and its surrounding communities. With a rich history dating back over 130 years, The Ponca City Chamber of Commerce strives to connect businesses, government entities, and community organizations to drive innovation, economic vitality, and community engagement. We are proud to support and champion the diverse industries and enterprises that make Ponca City a thriving and welcoming place to live, work, and do business.
For more information about the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.poncacitychamber.com.
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