NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA COUNTY

While Oklahoma is considered by many to be a "young" state, Edmond proudly boasts of a rich and colorful past which includes trains, cattle drives, Indians and settlement via an energetic Land Run. Appreciation of this heritage is readily seen by the numerous historic buildings and plaques exhibited throughout the community. Walking tour guides and other information is available from the Edmond Historical Society Museum at 431 S. Broadway. That organization deserves our special appreciation as most of the following information has been provided courtesy of the Edmond Historical Society.

American Legion Hut, 101 East 5th Street; The Legion Hut is located on the southwest corner of Stephenson Park and was built in 1936 through the help of the WPA at a cost of $7000. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.

Citizen's State Bank of Edmond, 102 South Broadway; Citizen's State Bank of Edmond was organized in April 1901. The building was completed and opened for business by October, 1901. In 1912, Citizen's Bank and Farmer's State Bank liquidated their state charters and united under a national charter. The reorganized institution became known as Citizen's National Bank. The bank building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Edmond Armory, 431 S Boulevard; This building is located on the southeast corner of Stephenson Park. The Edmond Armory was built in 1936 by the WPA. Originally the Armory served as the home of the 179th Infantry Regiment of the 45th Division. Currently the building houses the Edmond Historical Society and Museum, the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.

Gower Memorial Cemetery, located on Covell between Douglas and Post; Gower Cemetery has existed for over 100 years. It serves as a cemetery for all people and contains approximately 300 occupied grave sites of early settlers, African Americans, indigents, and veterans from the Spanish American War, both World Wars, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The Gower Memorial Cemetery was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.

Old North Tower, located on the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma - 100 N University; While Oklahoma's upper educational institutions, OU, OSU and UCO, were all founded by legislation in 1890, the first of these three institutions to open for classes was the Normal School for Teachers, today's UCO, which held its first classes on November 1, 1891. Old North Tower was the first building constructed in the summer of 1892 on the campus of what was then Territorial Normal School. Old North Tower was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.

Y-Chapel of Song, located on the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma - 100 N University; Construction on the Y-Chapel of Song was begun in 1948 and completed in 1949. A truly unique quality of the building is its stained glass windows that were designed and executed by the art students of the school. Each window represents a theme taken from the songs sang during the "Y" meetings and daily worship services. The Y-Chapel of Song was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.

HISTORICAL MARKERS/SITES IN EDMOND

Information supplied by the Edmond Historical Society

179th Infantry Regiment Memorial Overpass, located on the west side of the Waterloo Bridge Railroad Overpass. A large sign honors the memory of those who served and died in both World War II and the Korean Conflict. Dedicated November 7, 1997.

Central State College Marker, located on the south side of the intersection of Second Street and Boulevard. This metal marker details a brief history of early Edmond.

Citizen's State Bank Plaque, located at 102 S Broadway; This plaque details in brief the history of Citizen's State Bank of Edmond which organized in April 1901. The building was completed and opened for business by October, 1901. In 1912, Citizen's Bank and Farmer's State Bank liquidated their state charters and united under a national charter.The reorganized institution became known as Citizen's National Bank. The bank building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Downtown Edmond Buildings Plaques. Take a stroll down the streets of downtown Edmond along Broadway and read plaques on various historical buildings. These plaques list the early businesses that have resided in the present buildings with a short description.

Edmond Park Plaques. The Edmond Parks Foundation has placed historical plaques at our city parks. Edmond's first park was founded in 1893. Many Edmond parks are named in honor of significant Edmond individuals who have helped shape Edmond's history.

Edmond Sun Historical Marker, located in front of the Edmond Sun at 123 S Broadway. This historical marker dedicated June 15, 1984, recognizes the establishment of The Edmond Sun.

First Schoolhouse, located at 124 E Second Street. This metal marker details a brief history of the construction of the first public schoolhouse in Oklahoma Territory in August 1889. The marker also tells about the first teacher, Miss Allie McCormick. School was conducted at this site until 1899. The Edmond Historic Preservation Trust has purchased the building and property and are renovating the building to its original state - a schoolhouse. Dedicated December 1990.

Milton "Kickingbird" Reynolds Historical Marker, situated in the south central area of Gracelawn Cemetery located at Danforth and Boulevard. This granite marker is double-sided. One side of the marker gives a brief description and history of Milton "Kickingbird" Reyonlds, the publisher and founder of the Edmond Sun newspaper in 1890 - laying claim to being the first newspaper in Oklahoma Territory. The opposite side of the marker portrays statements made by Reynolds about the great spirit of the 1889ers who settled Edmond with the Land Run of April 22, 1889.
Dedicated April 11, 1995.

National Guard Armory Marker, located in front of the Edmond Historical Society at 431 S Boulevard. This granite marker details a brief history of the building that was built in 1936 to house the 179th Infantry Regiment of the 45th Division. The building was renovated in 1983 as a Community Center and currently is the home of the Edmond Historical Society and Museum.

People's Bank of Edmond/First National Bank of Edmond Plaque,
located on the SW corner of First and broadway. Built in 1893, this is the oldest commercial structure in Oklahoma County. The building was utilized as a bank until 1956. The plaque gives a brief history on the building.

Shannon Miller Parkway. In February 1998 a resolution was passed to rename a stretch of I-35 from Memorial to Danforth the Shannon Miller Parkway in honor of Edmond's Olympic Champion. Miller won a total of 7 Olympic Medals - 2 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze medals. She also holds 9 World Championship Medals.

Train Depot Historical Marker, located west of Broadway and north
of Second Street near the original train depot site. The granite marker is inscribed with a short history of the railroad in Edmond and its importance.

Veterans Memorial, located in the SW corner of Gracelawn Cemetery at Danforth and Boulevard. This memorial consists of 4 granite markers representing the branches of the armed services, surrounding a central granite marker dedicated to the memory of all. Buried at the site are the historical scrolls naming the veterans, contributors, area pioneers, Edmond city officials, and community leaders.