By Eric Dama
If you've ever driven down Maguire Road in Slaughterville, there's a strong chance you've seen or even stopped in the Maguire Farm Store.
That's because this month marks the 40th year the store has been in that location.
And if you know of the store, you almost certainly know its owners, Jim and Annette Brown, who bought the store on June 10, 1969.
"Gosh, we remember the very first store. It was small, and everything was behind the counter," Jim said. "We used to joke that you could turn around and put your hand on everything in the store."
That was then. In 1971, the store's current building was constructed, making it only the third different building since the original store opened down the street in May of 1900.
Over the years, the store has seen many changes. It has offered everything from kerosene and hardware to baked pizza and salami.
At times it functioned as the town hall. It housed the town's first firetruck when the fire department was just getting under way. At one point you could also register to vote at the store.
But no matter what it sold or served as, it has always been there.
"Everybody knows the store," said Marsha Blair, Slaughterville town clerk and longtime friend of the Browns. "It's such a big part of the everyday life of the town and the entire community."
Everybody may know the store. But the Browns remember those who come in the store as well.
"We've been here so long, it's interesting that we know so many people. For some people, we know four generations of their families," Annette said. "There have been a lot of differences over the 40 years, but the people have stayed the same. That's what's so rewarding."
But the Maguire Farm Store is only the tip of the iceberg in relation to the Browns' role in the Slaughterville community.
What may be about as well known as the store is the Browns' "burn closet," a miniature warehouse behind their house filled with furniture, appliances, etc. -- most everything you would find in a normal home.
"They have all those things so that if a family's home is destroyed in a fire, they can go there and get the things they need. It is really phenomenal," Blair said.
It's no wonder the Browns feel a special connection to the Slaughterville community -- after all, they helped create it.
"Back in the late '60s, early '70s, the people were worried that this area would be annexed by Noble or Norman, so we formed a town called Slaughterville," Jim said.
Jim served a term as mayor in the early '70s and helped establish the town's fire department while Annette began working on the charitable endeavors that have become so large today.
"They did a lot of the grassroots work. They helped get so many positive things started," Blair said. "And now, 40 years later, we see the incredible benefits."
As the saying goes, Rome wasn't built in a day. Neither was Slaughterville.
"I don't think any one of us have any regrets about any of it," Annette said.
Eric Dama 366-3527 edama@normantranscript.com
