OKC's Historic Chalkboards Featured In New 'Ripley's Believe It Or Not!'’ Book

The new “Ripley’s Believe It or Not!” book, “Unlock the Weird!,” features three Oklahoma stories, including chalkboards dating back to 1917 with perfectly-preserved drawings and writings found at an Oklahoma City school.

In June 2015, contractors working at Emerson High School in Oklahoma City, found a link to the past. The school, built in 1911, was undergoing renovations to replace the old blackboards with whiteboards in four of the five classrooms. When they were removed, a second set of chalkboards dating back to 1917 were discovered underneath - complete with 100-year-old, perfectly-preserved drawings and lessons on multiplication, the history of the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony, and even daily hygiene.

The story can be found on page 204 of the new book.

Also featured in the new book, a Muskogee man who lifted a 4,387-pound SUV off the floor using nothing more than his breath to inflate two bags that had been placed under the vehicle, and a Tulsa man who has a collection of more than 100 giant hornet and wasp nests at his home.

“Ripley’s Believe It or Not!” is a collection of strange stories, amazing achievements, incredible people, and fun facts. Learn more.