The home was built by Judge John Robert Thomas, Carolyn's father. He purchased the 300 square feet of prairie land in 1898 and constructed the home, adding to it from time to time giving it a typical charm that "just grew". Inside the home, you will find evidence showing the energy, skill and outlook of these two amazing historians. Many books abound telling the wide range of interest, history and expansive travels of the Foreman's. Out of the many places they visited; Mexico, Asia, Africa, and the East Indies. Europe was known as their favorite destination. Learning from their mementos and visits, the knowledge illuminated their writings. As their fame grew, the Foreman's entertained many guests in their home as visitors were always welcome. Dr. Grant Foreman died in the home in April, 1953. Carolyn Foreman died in the home February, 1967, at the age of 95, having lived in the home for 69 years. The Foreman's had no children. |
Grant Foreman came to Oklahoma in 1899 from Illinois as an employee of the Dawes Commission.
In 1903 he formed a law partnership in Muskogee with Judge John Robert Thomas, an appointed Federal Judge at Large for Indian Territory. Judge Thomas and his wife had two children, John Robert Jr and Carolyn. In 1905, Grant Foreman and Carolyn Thomas were married. They lived in the home with Judge Thomas until 1914 when the Judge was killed during a penitentiary outbreak at McAlester where he was interviewing a prisoner. Judge Thomas is buried in Arlington National Cemetery honoring is service during the Civil War. Grant and Carolyn devoted their time and energy to historical writing through research and travel. Grant's first book "Pioneer Days in the Early Southwest" was published in 1926. During his years of writing and editing, he wrote fifteen volumes of original manuscripts. Carolyn was also busy writing and editing. "Oklahoma Imprints" was her first book, published in 1936. This book covered the history of printing from 1835 to 1907. Carolyn also published four books in her later years, the last of when she was 91 years old. Both contributed many articles and journals to The Chronicles of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Historical Society, and numerous newspapers. |