Books
Haskell: A Centennial Celebration
I offer a brief history of my hometown of Haskell, Oklahoma. Haskell’s story begins with the ancient Mississippian Mound Builders, continues through the establishment of the Creek Nation, the devastation of the Civil War, the birth of the town along the railroad and the creation of the state of Oklahoma. The book covers events from early statehood to the town’s centennial celebration in 2004.
Glimpses of Our Past
Book 1: A Look Back at Three Forks History
I have compiled 80 articles from my popular column “Three Rivers History” published in the Muskogee Phoenix newspaper. Arranged chronologically, this Look Back covers Oklahoma history in the Three Forks region from the time of the ancient Calf Creek culture to the time of statehood.
Book 2: Life Along the Rivers
This second collection of my columns from the Muskogee Phoenix tells of the importance of the rivers in Oklahoma. The rivers were the life blood and life line for Oklahoma's settlement and development as a state where the Old South met the Wild West.
Missions of Indian Territory: A Trilogy of Historical Novels
Book 1: Journey to an Untamed Land
In her first novel, Jonita shares the story of Clarissa Johnson, the first schoolteacher in Oklahoma. In 1820, she travels with a group of young missionaries to teach Osage students at Union Mission. Facing disease and danger that tests their courage and fortitude, they struggle to build a school on the prairie and work to bring education and the gospel to the Osages and Cherokees in what would become the state of Oklahoma.
Book 2: Look Unto the Fields
This novel is a sequel to Journey to an Untamed Land and will continue the story of Clarissa Johnson and the unfolding development of a land set aside for the Native Americans.
Book 3: Come to Lovely County
This historical novel tells the story of Ella Selden who joins Union Mission to serve as a new seamstress. She comes to Lovely County expecting to marry her long-time suitor Samuel Douglas who is working as the mission’s bookkeeper. But Samuel has a secret that could destroy Ella’s hopes and dreams. Will his actions lead to murder?
Cooking on the Frontier
A companion to Journey to an Untamed Land, this collection of recipes offer dishes that the cook at Union Mission might have prepared at the prairie outpost in the land of the Osages.
The Jefferson Highway in Oklahoma: The Historic Osage Trace
This history from Arcadia Publishing was named Best Non-Fiction Book for 2017 by the Oklahoma Writers Federation. It also received a Citation of Merit from the Oklahoma Historical Society. You'll want to get this book to learn all about this road's long history.
History Tours
Jonita conducts weekly walking tours through one of the historic neighborhoods of Muskogee giving an up close look at the gracious homes and gardens while sharing stories about people from the past who once inhabited them. (Some say a few of them still do!) She also leads custom trolley tours around Muskogee and the region to localities where Oklahoma's colorful history happened.
Visit my business website okieheritage.com to learn more about my products and services and to make a purchase through PayPal.
Haskell: A Centennial Celebration
I offer a brief history of my hometown of Haskell, Oklahoma. Haskell’s story begins with the ancient Mississippian Mound Builders, continues through the establishment of the Creek Nation, the devastation of the Civil War, the birth of the town along the railroad and the creation of the state of Oklahoma. The book covers events from early statehood to the town’s centennial celebration in 2004.
Glimpses of Our Past
Book 1: A Look Back at Three Forks History
I have compiled 80 articles from my popular column “Three Rivers History” published in the Muskogee Phoenix newspaper. Arranged chronologically, this Look Back covers Oklahoma history in the Three Forks region from the time of the ancient Calf Creek culture to the time of statehood.
Book 2: Life Along the Rivers
This second collection of my columns from the Muskogee Phoenix tells of the importance of the rivers in Oklahoma. The rivers were the life blood and life line for Oklahoma's settlement and development as a state where the Old South met the Wild West.
Missions of Indian Territory: A Trilogy of Historical Novels
Book 1: Journey to an Untamed Land
In her first novel, Jonita shares the story of Clarissa Johnson, the first schoolteacher in Oklahoma. In 1820, she travels with a group of young missionaries to teach Osage students at Union Mission. Facing disease and danger that tests their courage and fortitude, they struggle to build a school on the prairie and work to bring education and the gospel to the Osages and Cherokees in what would become the state of Oklahoma.
Book 2: Look Unto the Fields
This novel is a sequel to Journey to an Untamed Land and will continue the story of Clarissa Johnson and the unfolding development of a land set aside for the Native Americans.
Book 3: Come to Lovely County
This historical novel tells the story of Ella Selden who joins Union Mission to serve as a new seamstress. She comes to Lovely County expecting to marry her long-time suitor Samuel Douglas who is working as the mission’s bookkeeper. But Samuel has a secret that could destroy Ella’s hopes and dreams. Will his actions lead to murder?
Cooking on the Frontier
A companion to Journey to an Untamed Land, this collection of recipes offer dishes that the cook at Union Mission might have prepared at the prairie outpost in the land of the Osages.
The Jefferson Highway in Oklahoma: The Historic Osage Trace
This history from Arcadia Publishing was named Best Non-Fiction Book for 2017 by the Oklahoma Writers Federation. It also received a Citation of Merit from the Oklahoma Historical Society. You'll want to get this book to learn all about this road's long history.
History Tours
Jonita conducts weekly walking tours through one of the historic neighborhoods of Muskogee giving an up close look at the gracious homes and gardens while sharing stories about people from the past who once inhabited them. (Some say a few of them still do!) She also leads custom trolley tours around Muskogee and the region to localities where Oklahoma's colorful history happened.
Visit my business website okieheritage.com to learn more about my products and services and to make a purchase through PayPal.