More than seven years ago, I was wandering my Uncle Andy’s property in Barnsdall with my mother when I came across an old restaurant sign.
It piqued my curiosity, as I’d always had a fascination with brands and logos, but my aunt and uncle didn’t have a lot of information about it aside from the fact it came from the closed movie theater in town. I did a little research when I got home, but, I didn’t dig up anything.
A few years later, I wrote and published Lost Restaurants of Tulsa. Even during that time, I couldn’t find out much about the White Knight Nickel Sandwich System, aside from the fact it originated in Tulsa. Additionally, the sign (which was most likely the side of a sandwich case) had been sold. I was disappointed, but such is the way of things. I figured that would be the last I heard of this phantom Tulsa restaurant. I’m glad I was wrong!
This weekend, my aunt Jeanie brought me an etched pane of glass from the White Knight Sandwich System. To my delight, my research resources have grown since the last time I looked into this restaurant…and now I know more of the story!
The White Knight Nickel Sandwich System was founded by Allen D Strahm of Tulsa. The first store opened in September 1938 at 310 S Boulder, right across from the Tulsa World building. Everything cost 5¢, from sandwiches to pastries and soft drinks along with other basic fare. Sandwiches were wrapped in a napkin, placed in a little paper carton, and given to the customer for easy transport to “home, card parties, picnics, etc.” and kept them hot en route.
The buildings, clearly inspired by White Castle of Wichita, Kansas (founded 1921), were castle-shaped steel buildings finished in white enamel with white porcelain enameled steel and stainless steel on the inside. The equipment was cleaned using a newfangled “automatic electrical dishwasher and sterilizer.” The main turret was ROUND instead of SQUARE, as to head off any court battles.
The first store was very popular and spawned a second location in October 1939 at 2nd and Boston. Interestingly, both locations were also tied to parking lots operated by the same company. The lot at 2nd and Boston was eventually upgraded to a beautiful multi-level structure called The Parkade, which was demolished with the Williams Center was built in the 1970s.
In 1940, a store opened in Wichita with several more added over the next decade. It was not a long-lived enterprise, however. By 1951, all of the Kansas locations were shuttered. The last operating store, Tulsa’s original on Boulder, fell to the wrecking ball in 1956 to accommodate expanding the parking lot. When Allen Strahm died in 1992, his obituary called out the White Knight along with Lucky 7 restaurants, the Jefferson Hotel, two bottling companies, and his parking facilities.
That brings me to the movie theater in Barnsdall. How did those items get there?
The history of the theater is a little spotty, but the Runyon Opera House dates back to 1920. It was later known as the Thompson Theater and the Barnsdall Theater. It was the Roxy when it was damaged by a fire in 1953. It was closed for many years but did reopen as the Bigheart Theater for a short time in 1993; I saw a movie there when visiting my grandparents once.
Nothing I’ve found mentions the White Knight, or any other food service for that matter. Multiple Tulsa World articles about Strahm’s business concerns specifically mention Tulsa and Wichita but never any other locations. Judging by the years of prosperity for the sandwich shop and the history of the theater, my guess is that these items were purchased after closure and stored.
BUT – you never know what new information you’ll find down the road. I’m looking forward to getting this glass pane hung somewhere in the house, a connection to Tulsa’s restaurant history and my Osage County family nonetheless.
Rhys' Pieces 
Better than fiction!
Very interesting piece, Rhys ! Thanks for sharing…. 🙂
Great history Rhys, I wish I could see inside that theatre. I was told a guy from Skiatook owns it.
I was happy to read this since Allen David Strahm Sr was and is my grandfather. My name is Steven Strahm I grew up eating at the parkade restaurant. I remember many stories told of these businesses. Thankyou for writing about them. Sincerely Steven Strahm Terlton Oklahoma
Oh, this is so wonderful! Thank you for commenting, Steven. White Knight is a place I thought I would write about and that would be it but a surprising amount of folks have been interested in the story – and I love it when I hear from people with a family connection.