Historic tradition of hospitality
Story and Photos By Doug HILL Montford Inn honors Chickasaw Rancher ’ s heritage
Countless visitors from all over the world know Norman ’ s Montford Inn as a place of friendly comfort after long travels . What they also may become aware of after a stay is that the lodging establishment is named for Montford Johnson , the Chickasaw Rancher . That 19th century gentleman ’ s remarkable life has been documented in a 1961 book written by his grandson Neil Johnson titled “ The Chickasaw Rancher ” later edited and republished again by his great , great grandson Neil Kingsley . Recently the written account was used as the basis for 2022 Chickasaw Nations Production film “ Montford : the Chickasaw Rancher ” currently streaming on Netflix .
Phyllis Murray and her son William Murray are innkeepers at the Montford Inn . They had the primary structure at 322 W . Tonhawa St . built over 25 years ago . It ’ s within walking distance of the University of Oklahoma , Norman ’ s downtown arts district and the Cleveland County Court House . This makes it attractive to a variety of people seeking lodging with business or recreation in mind . For many coming to OU it will be their first exposure to Oklahoma hospitality . Innkeeper Phyllis Murray is the great , great granddaughter of Montford Johnson , Chickasaw Rancher . Honoring his legacy as a man of character who cared for people , animals and the land is important to her and son William . She wants all people and especially Norman residents to be aware of the history .
“ Montford was an early part of Norman ,” Murray said . “ He was born on the Blue River down south but he brought all the cattle through here . A lot of his kids settled here .”
As with many Oklahoma families , the history is a long and complicated one that involves both Native and white characters . Montford Johnson ’ s story is remarkable to the degree that it ’ s documented in scholarly texts including “ A Standard History of Oklahoma ,” “ The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture ” along with multiple other sources . There are currently 36 reference citations at the Chickasaw Rancher ’ s Wikipedia page . Or you can watch the entertaining film about him released this year . For a few years prior to the film ’ s release members of the Chickasaw Nation Production organization occasionally visited the Montford Inn just to chat with Murray . They asked historical questions that she often had to research to be able to provide answers . Vintage photographs were provided and maps were studied together . Montford ’ s life geography points including cattle trails used by Cherokee trader Jesse Chisolm were established . Montford was known to have traveled as far away as Florida on horseback .
“ Montford took care of his family and orphans from the Chickasaw Tribe ,” Murray said . “ He was a vital part of not just Norman but this area from Texas all the way to Kansas where he drove cattle . He made friends with Indians and whites and took care of them .”
Montford ’ s son E . B . Johnson founded the Arline Hotel in early Norman at the northwest corner of Main and Webster . Hospitality is a family business .
“ That hotel was named after his youngest child ,” Murray said . “ The hotel didn ’ t last long as long as it should have because ladies had to walk from the railroad depot to the Arline Hotel to stay . The streets were muddy and they got their dresses dirty so it wasn ’ t very popular .” Unlike 1902 Norman , all the streets around the Montford Inn today are paved .
“ We have people stay here from all over the country ,” Murray said . “ The Montford Inn opened in 1994 . I ’ d been an innkeeper in Guthrie and was determined to have an inn in Norman . The city helped us find this location and now we have cottages across the street . We
10 NormanMagazine . com | MAY / JUNE 2022