George Walter Archibald
George Walter Archibald
'My father was a wonderful man.'
Biography
George Walter Archibald was born in Texas and came to Durant from Marietta, Oklahoma, in 1909. He and his partner, R.F. Story, purchased the Durant Daily News and renamed it the Durant Daily Democrat. The first issue under the new name was printed on June 1, 1910. Archibald remained editor and publisher of the paper until his death in 1940.
Historians regard Archibald’s personal integrity and leadership in the newspaper business as one of the most important aspects of the growth and development of the Durant area. Archibald also played a major role in bringing the Red River Dam project to Oklahoma, which resulted in the creation of Lake Texhoma, spanning the Texas/Oklahoma border.
Fun fact
G. Walter Archibald was selected for induction into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in April 1940 and unexpectedly passed away in August of the same year, just three months before his formal induction.
Oklahoma connections
Archibald came to Durant, Oklahoma, in 1909.