Few people today know anything about this woman, but her name was well-known in the 1940s, 50s and into the 60s: Perle Skirvin Mesta.
Most Oklahomans are familiar with Oklahoma City’s famous Skirvin Hotel. Perle is the daughter of William Skirvin. Although the Skirvin family was originally from Michigan, they made their reputation and fortune in Oklahoma. Perle always referred to herself as an Oklahoman.
Her father, William, was an original ‘89er participating in the first Oklahoma Land Run. He remained in Oklahoma and with wise investments in real estate, oil and gas made a fortune…