Tom Mix Museum
Tom Mix Museum
PO Box 190
721 North Delaware Street
Dewey, OK 74029
918-534-1555
tommix@tommixmuseum.com
Manager: Fawn Lassiter
Museum Hours
January through February
Thursday through Saturday
10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Museum Hours
March through December
Tuesday through Saturday
10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The museum is closed on all state holidays.
Located in Dewey, the Tom Mix Museum houses items from Mix’s personal collection, providing a glimpse into the life of one of Oklahoma’s most colorful figures. Those too young to remember the man and his talent are sure to find his story as fascinating as those who watched him ride across the movie screen years ago.
Tom Mix was born on January 6, 1880, in Mix Run, Pennsylvania, to Edwin and Elizabeth Mix. After a stint in the army, Mix moved to Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory, where he worked odd jobs. At various times he worked as a bartender, a hand with Zack Miller’s 101 Ranch, and for a short time in 1911 served as marshal in Dewey, Oklahoma. While working for the Millers Brothers 101 Ranch near Ponca City, Mix began his movie career. He married five times and had two children: Ruth, born July 13, 1912, to Olive Stokes, and Thomasina, born February 12, 1922, to Victoria Ford. Tom Mix died in 1940, in a car accident on a highway between Tucson and Florence, Arizona.
Tom Mix’s movie career spanned 26 years from 1909–35. At times he was under contract with the Selig Polyscope Company, Fox Film Corporation, Film Booking Office, Universal, and Mascot. In all he made 336 feature films, produced 88, wrote 71, and directed 117. Mix made nine sound feature films and the 15-chapter serial Miracle Rider. His movies were famous for quick action and daredevil stunts. Tom and his horse Tony performed their own stunts. Mix was a superb athlete and kept himself in good physical condition. He pioneered many of the early movie stunts. No trick cameras or fake scenes were used because of the limited shooting budgets.
Misinformation and lore seem to abound about Tom Mix. Some of the stories were created as publicity for the studios, others Tom Mix spread himself, and from there the stories multiplied until the truth became hard to find.
The Tom Mix Museum is an affiliate of the Oklahoma Historical Society, and the property is managed by Tom Mix Museum, Inc. To learn more, visit the Tom Mix Museum website at tommixmuseum.com.
Explore More
Read about Tom Mix in The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture
View film footage featuring Tom Mix on YouTube
View historic photographs and more on The Gateway to Oklahoma History
