It was neither her birth name, nor the name most of us would come to know her as. But in between, she took the name Billie, and it was that little girl who lived in Lawton for a few short years ... and it was here that her dreams of becoming a big star were born.
Born in poverty, her mother brought her and her brother from Texas to Oklahoma shortly after statehood. Myth and poor records mean a lot of Billie’s life story is “flexible.” We’re not exactly sure what year she was born, or when Henry came into her life, but whether it was before the family came to Lawton or after they arrived, Billie’s mother took up with Henry and he became Billie's stepfather.
Henry did a number of jobs while they lived in Lawton, including running the Lawton Opera House and the Air Dome Theater just a few blocks down the street. Henry allowed little Billie to accompany him to work where she could watch musical acts. In the backyard of their home was a small barn where her stepfather stored extra props and costumes. Little Billie found her hopes and dreams inside that makeshift prop shop and she would put on performances for her neighborhood friends, copying the dance moves she learned while watching the vaudeville performers.
When she was around age 8, Billie’s hopes of a future in dancing seemed to be ruined when she severely cut her foot on a broken bottle. Several operations were needed and Billie missed so much school that she fell a number of grade levels behind her peers. She slowly was able to resume dancing but never could do any “toe dancing” due to that injury.
Compounding the family’s problems, Henry had a side job running an abstract company. There were accusations of embezzlement resulting from the disappearance of around $4,000. Although he was acquitted, Henry’s reputation was ruined and the family soon left Lawton, moving out of state.
When you reach GZ, you will be standing where the family last lived in Lawton. The home stood for more than a century, but, sadly, was razed in 2023, along with the house next door. Nothing remains except a few trees and sidewalks that lead to nowhere. No effort was made to save the home of this Hollywood star.
Who was little Billie? She became one of Hollywood’s most famous actresses, and even won an Academy Award. Find this geocache and you will know her identity.
[Congratulations to rubiconlaw for being the first to find.]