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Description

Fascinating pictorial map of the Oklahoma Military Academy, in the style of Frank Dorn.

There are two distinctive clues as to the as to the artist responsible for this map, both of which can be clearly seen by comparing this map to Frank Dorn's 1931 map of Fort Sill Oklahoma:   https://www.raremaps.com/gallery/detail/52386

First, the first is the signature of the map at the bottom right corner, both of which employ an artist in front of and easel with animals watching the artist.  Second, both employ the nomenclature "XXX Drew This."

The basic presentation, compass rose and a host of other features clearly point to the maps being somehow related to one another, but the mapmaker for the this OMA map, so far was we can see, is anonymous, as the artwork and lettering are not a match for Frank Dorn's hand.

Despite some effort, we have not been able to identify "Warren".  (UPDATED January 25, 2019:  "Warren" is Leonard Earl Warren ("Grassey") of Watonga, Oklahoma.  Research in the OMA year book revealed that Warren was at OMA, and likely was an advanced Infantry ROTC student who also went to summer camp at Ft Sill, where he may have met Frank Dorn.  The OMA yearbook entry for Warren notes "He is a born artist, and when the school or any of its departments has had a need for expert services in the field of artistry, Warren has met the call efficiently.  Many of his drawings will remain as monuments to him long after his departure.)

Oklahoma Military Academy

Between 1919 and 1971, more than 10,000 cadets attended the Oklahoma Military Academy (OMA) in Claremore, Oklahoma. The school was originally established just after the end of WWI when the Oklahoma Legislature called for a state-sponsored school to help maintain a trained military force.

OMA quickly turned into a six-year program providing four years of high school as well as junior college courses and became known as “The West Point of the Southwest.” More than 2,500 graduates served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, before declining enrollment during the 1960s prompted the state legislature to close the school.  

Rarity

The map is very rare.  We find no other known examples.

Condition Description
Minor toning near the center.