c.1920 Oklahoma Home With Carriage House $100K

602 S Seminole Ave, Okmulgee, OK 74447.  $100,000

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It appears that this was the home of Joe Burns (1875-1927) and his wife Daisy Davis Burns (1873-1952).

Joe Burns was born in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, on July 5, 1875, the second child of Liberty Burns Jr. and Mary Vasbinder Burns. The family had moved to Bradford Township in McKean County, Pennsylvania by 1880 and was living in the Summit/Rixford area of McKean County in 1889, at the time that his older sister, Nora, married. By 1900, Joe Burns was living with his father and his second wife (his mother died in 1883) and his younger sister, Mary, in Rumley Township, Harrison County, Ohio, where Joe was working as an oil well driller.

By 1907, Joe Burns had married Daisy Davis of Missouri (it was his first marriage and her second) and they had moved to the oil boom Indian Territory (Oklahoma), where they lived in Okmulgee. They had two known children: a son, Joe, Jr. (1907-1920: who died in a drowning accident) and a daughter, Frances (1908-1998), both born in Oklahoma. Joe Burns described himself as an oil fields contractor in the 1910 and 1920 censa. In 1908, Joe Burns helped establish the Okmulgee’s oil fields by opening the Bald Hill Pool in northeastern Okmulgee County. Through his experience and intellect, Joe Burns was able to patent several devices that assisted Oklahoma oil operators using the cable tool drilling method. His registered patents are a wire line rope socket (1913), a temper screw (1916) and a second temper screw (1921). He participated in the formation of several companies, including the Burns Tool Company, of which he was the general manager and a vice president. He also served on the board of the Central National Bank of Okmulgee.
He died on February 2, 1927, as a result of injuries sustained in an auto accident a few weeks previously. He was survived by his widow, Daisy, his daughter, Frances, and his sisters, Nora Burns Mortland and Mary Burns Morton of McKean County, Pennsylvania, and his brother, Frank Burns of Ohio. Both of his parents and his son, Joe, Jr., predeceased him.

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Pros of Living in Okmulgee, OK

1. Low Cost of Living & Housing

   • Cost of living is well below the U.S. average – housing especially is very affordable.

   • Median home values are quite low; median listing/sold home prices are under ~$100‑110K in many cases.

   • Housing costs are something like ~50‑55% below national average in many reports.

2. Proximity / Access to Outdoors & Recreation

   • There are parks, trails, playgrounds, bike paths, municipal parks with amenities (playgrounds, splash pads, etc.).

   • Outdoor opportunities are nearby: lakes (Okmulgee & Dripping Springs), wildlife refuges, etc. Good options for fishing, boating, camping, etc.

3. Strong Sense of Community / Local Flavor

   • Small town / smaller city feel: more familiarity, locals tend to know each other.

   • Cultural heritage: Okmulgee has Native American (Muscogee/Creek Nation) roots, historic downtown, etc.

   • Local events and festivals bring people together (e.g. Harvest Spoon Chili Festival, Pecan Festival) add to community life.

4. Commute Times / Location Relative to Bigger Cities

   • Average one‑way commute is about 21 minutes, lower than many U.S. averages.

   • Okmulgee is ~35 miles south of Tulsa, so you can access the amenities of a larger metro without living in it.

5. Affordability in Essentials

   • Things like groceries, utilities, transportation tend to cost less.

   • Lower cost for everyday things helps offset lower incomes.

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Cons / Challenges of Living in Okmulgee, OK

1. Low Income / High Poverty & Unemployment

   • Median household income is much lower than U.S. average. Many residents earn well under what many U.S. households make.

   • Poverty rate is high: ~24‑25%. Many people struggle economically.

   • Unemployment is elevated.

2. Limited Job Market & Economic Diversity

   • There aren’t many highly paying jobs; employment opportunities are more limited, concentrated in certain sectors (healthcare, manufacturing, etc.).

   • For people needing specialized careers, or ambitious salary growth, options can be somewhat constrained.

3. Education Challenges

   • School performance (math, reading, etc.) tends to lag in many reports.

   • Lower rate of higher education (few bachelor’s degree holders) in the population.

4. Amenities & Public Services Limitations

   • Many amenities are not close by / not walkable. You’ll likely need a car for a lot of day‑to‑day stuff.

   • Entertainment, shopping, cultural / specialized services are more limited compared to larger cities.

5. Crime & Safety Concerns

   • Some reports show higher crime in certain categories (especially property crime) and uneven safety depending on neighborhood.

   • Residents’ reviews sometimes mention issues like drug activity, policing, etc. (though this varies a lot by area).

6. Low Homeownership & Some Housing Issues

   • While housing is cheap, the homeownership rate is not as high as one might expect in some sources. Renting is common.

   • Some housing stock may be older, needing upkeep.

7. Income vs Cost Trade‑offs

   • Even though living costs are low, incomes are also low, so budget can still be tight, especially for non‑discretionary expenses.

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