Theresa Hunt Tyler served as Watonga’s first dentist. She has an important connection to the museum. Having desired to be a dentist from a young age, Teresa graduated from 8th grade, taught school as was common in Missouri, saved her money for tuition. She enrolled in the Western Dental College in Kansas City, Missouri. Among 60 students, 3 were women. Earning the respect of all students, Hunt graduated in 1901.
First Dentist for Watonga
Dr. Tyler worked in El Reno as a dentist, but heard Watonga needed a dentist (none in nine years). She boarded the train to Watonga and arrived Watonga Dec. 19, 1901. Her first impression filled her heart with despair (Petticoats, Politics, and Pirouettes by Glenda Carlisle). However, she headed for the hotel and was soon seeing appreciative patients in another hotel room and later in Hooper’s Drug store while she awaited her dental chair and office in the new Rose Building.
Where could a single woman live?
The Hoopers rented the new Ferguson home on North Weigle while Governor and Mrs. Ferguson served Oklahoma Territory in Guthrie. Dr. Hunt rented the 3rd floor of the mansion. (You can visit the room with its recently replaced windows for a nice view of Watonga in three directions.)
Married and practicing dentisty in her farm home
In 1903, Theresa married a young businessman, Homer Tyler. After initially living in the back of the department store, they moved to a farm one-half mile south of Watonga. She set up her office in the front room and saw patients while raising three children.
Travel to Eagle City by horseback
Once per month, Dr. Tyler traveled to Eagle City, 17 miles by road. One of her sons saddled her horse, and one son would travel. They stayed in the Maury Hotel in Eagle City, saw patients the next day and traveled back to Watonga the third day. She also traveled to nearby native American villages, and was called to see dying patients who the medicine men thought might have a dental related illness. She accumulated a nice collection of artifacts as gifts. (By the way the Ferguson has a nice collection of Cheyenne-Arapaho items on the third floor.)
Genteel Pioneer woman
Dr. Tyler was a determined woman, even braving a severe blizzard to get to town to buy oranges and peppermints for Christmas stockings. She enjoyed hunting and fishing, social occasions, and even traveled to Hobart and Grandfield to work lottery-won properties.
Become a member of Friends with a donation
As we begin this new year at the Ferguson Home Museum, donate a membership to support the cultural and educational programs and museum upgrades by the Friends.
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