Group Acquires Guthrie Land 100 Years After Woody's Father Bought It

One hundred years to do the day since the Guthrie family bought land outside Okemah, a group planning to rebuild Woody Guthrie's childhood home acquired it.

The "This House Is Your House" group will use the land to rebuild London House, built by Woody's father. C.E. Guthrie bought the property for $2,300 on September 16, 1913, according to a Dan Riedemann, the historic preservation contractor hired to complete the project.

"When the contracts were issued, it triggered something in my memory so I looked through my notes," he said. "Sure enough, the day that we acquire the land will be one century to the day after Woody's father purchased the London House to begin with.

"It was a nice little cosmic high five."

The Guthrie family home - called London House - was torn down in the 1970s, but the original foundation remains. The group plans to rebuild the home using the original construction materials.

A benefit concert with singer Kris Kristofferson is planned to raise funds for the project. Kristofferson will play at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, October 13 at the Mabee Center in Tulsa. Tickets are $35 and $55.

Get tickets to An Evening With Kris Kristofferson.