Nine OK properties added to historic places list

Nine Oklahoma properties have been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The properties include two designed by renowned architect Bruce Goff in Norman and Tulsa, the White City Historic District in Tulsa and a historic district in downtown Sulphur.

The properties designed by Goff, former head of the University of Oklahoma School of Architecture, included the H.E. Ledbetter House in Norman and the Riverside Studio in Tulsa, said Architectural Historian Jim Gabbert of the State Historic Preservation Office.

New National Register properties also included the Oklahoma Odd Fellows Home in Checotah, the Y Chapel of Song in Edmond, the Charles G. Jones Farmstead near Jones, the First National Bank in Stratford and the Rock Cafe in Stroud.

The addition of these properties bring the current total National Register properties in Oklahoma to 980, said Gabbert. Efforts are continuing to reach the new State Historic Preservation Office goal of 1,001 by the end of the year 2001.

The Ledbetter House, constructed in 1948 in Norman, shows the evolution of Goff's organic philosophy of design, Gabbert said.

The Riverside Studio in Tulsa was constructed in 1928 and reflects the influence of both Art Deco and International styles. OU Professor of Architecture Arn Henderson nominated both Goff- designed properties, which represent the maturation of his design philosophy.

The White City Historic District is a residential neighborhood, formerly on the outskirts of the east side of Tulsa. Planned just before the Great Depression of the 1930s, it was not fully developed until the years before and after World War II.

It reflects the changing trends and tastes in residential design from the 1920s to the 1940s, said Gabbert. The nomination was prepared by public historian Cindy Savage for Tulsa's Urban Development Program as part of the city's Certified Local Government Program.

The Historic Downtown Sulphur Commercial District represents the third incarnation of the town, which was forced to move twice to accommodate the nearby Chickasaw National Recreation Area, formerly Platt National Park. The district centers on Muskogee Street and features buildings that represent the development of the town. Cindy Bissett of the Sulphur Main Street Program prepared the nomination.

The Oklahoma Odd Fellows Home, built in 1932 in Checotah, was listed in the National Register for its significant role in social and educational history, said Gabbert. It was also recognized as the works of Joseph Foucart, one of Oklahoma's master architects. Foucart was responsible for many of Guthrie's downtown distinctive buildings. His influence and design ethic are evident in the Odd Fellows Home.

The nomination was prepared by Glen Vaughn-Roberson of the State Historic Preservation Office.

The Y Chapel of Song, built in 1949 on the campus of what is now the University of Central Oklahoma, was listed for its significance in art. The building was designed by architects Duane Connor and Fred Pojezny to showcase magnificent stained glass windows, which were designed and constructed by students during World War II to commemorate YWCA and YMCA songs.

Students and faculty members also carved pews and fashioned other artistic elements for the chapel. Bruce Love prepared the nomination for the Edmond Historical Society.

The Jones Farmstead was listed for its association with Charles G. Grist Mill Jones, a leader in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Territory and Oklahoma politics. He was responsible for bringing the St. Louis and San Francisco (Frisco) Railroad from Sapulpa to Oklahoma City. He also served as mayor of Oklahoma City three times, platted towns such as Mustang, helped develop the State Fair and served in territorial and state legislatures. Randall McMillin prepared the nomination.

The First National Bank Building in Stratford was listed for its architectural significance. Built in 1907, it is an excellent example of late Victorian Commercial architecture, said Gabbert, with a bell-cast dome on top of a corner tower. The building was rehabilitated by the Stratford Historic Preservation Association, which hired Cindy Savage to prepare the nomination.

The Rock Cafe in Stroud was listed as part of a continuing effort to recognize significant structures along historic Route 66, which extends from near Miami to Texola. The cafe was built in 1939 and has served patrons continually on the Mother Road for 62 years with a guest register that includes visitors from every corner in the world. Dawn Welch, owner of the Rock Cafe, prepared the nomination.

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