John Monroe Davis
June 27, 1887 – Feb 7,1973

• the largest privately-held collection of firearms in the world
• 1917  J.M. and Addie Davis buy the  Mason Hotel in Claremore, OK
• 1919, Mr. and Mrs. Davis built a home in Claremore and took over the management of the hotel
• 1921 to 1923 mayor of Claremore
• 1933 to 1943 mayor of Claremore
• 1929 Mr. Davis’s collection had grown to 99 guns
• 1930 purchased U.S. Bessette collection of 500 pieces
• 1932 purchased the Smith collection at Vinita, Oklahoma of 1,500 guns
• 1932 purchased the John Sallings collection of 500 pieces
• World War II veterans would bring him war trophies
• gunsmiths would bring in guns they had modified, sporterized, or completely invented
• 1948 purchased the Merle Gill collection
  (Outlaw and Lawman guns, hanging nooses, and hand cuffs)
• November, 1959 Addie Davis passed away (married 49 years)
• July 1961, J.M. married Genevieve Breeden
• 1965, Mr. Davis established a nonprofit foundation, the J.M. Davis Memorial Foundation, Inc
•  Governor Henry Bellmon signed the legislation to establish the J.M. Davis Memorial Commission and appropriate funds to purchase the entire city block where the museum now stands
• 1968, plans were approved for a 40,000 square foot J.M Davis museum building
• June 27, 1969, Mr. Davis’ 82nd birthday, the museum was opened to the public
• June 27, 1972, Mr. Davis’ 85th birthday, the city of Claremore honored him by renaming a street after him: J.M. Davis Boulevard
• February 7th, 1973 J.M. Davis  passed away