406 EAST OKLAHOMA AVENUE
GUTHRIE, OKLAHOMA 73044
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405.282.1889
April 20, 1889, Guthrie, IT
Walking to Guthrie
on April 22, 1889
on April 22, 1889
Tent City, Guthrie, IT
April 27, 1889
April 27, 1889
Oklahoma Avenue
Guthrie, IT
June 8. 1889
Guthrie, IT
June 8. 1889
With the passing of the Organic Act in 1890, Oklahoma
became a US Territory and Guthrie was designated to
be the territorial capital. On November 16, 1907, Oklahoma
was declared a state by President Theodore Roosevelt
with Guthrie as the first state capital.
It was mandated by The Organic Act to remain the capital
until 1913 when a vote of the people was set to decide
on a permanent location. As the new state government
grew, and other cities developed, the political landscape
became heated between the governor and the
legislature (D) and Frank Greer (R), editor of the
State Capital Newspaper. As a result of these squabbles,
and to calm the situation, Governor Haskell called for
an early statewide election to decide the locality issue.
On June 11, 1910 by a majority vote, Oklahoma City
was selected as the capital over Shawnee and Guthrie.
The state government moved south and Guthrie was
left behind. Built as a testament to Victorian elegance
befitting the capital of a new state, the city still retained
its style and architectural integrity. Most likely because
it was abandoned, the buildings, built to define Victorian
elegance were spared the updating and sprawl that goes
with urban development. Today, with careful preservation
and restoration, Guthrie stands as a National Historic
Landmark with dozens of beautifully restored buildings,
perfect examples of late 19th and early 20th Century
architecture.
became a US Territory and Guthrie was designated to
be the territorial capital. On November 16, 1907, Oklahoma
was declared a state by President Theodore Roosevelt
with Guthrie as the first state capital.
It was mandated by The Organic Act to remain the capital
until 1913 when a vote of the people was set to decide
on a permanent location. As the new state government
grew, and other cities developed, the political landscape
became heated between the governor and the
legislature (D) and Frank Greer (R), editor of the
State Capital Newspaper. As a result of these squabbles,
and to calm the situation, Governor Haskell called for
an early statewide election to decide the locality issue.
On June 11, 1910 by a majority vote, Oklahoma City
was selected as the capital over Shawnee and Guthrie.
The state government moved south and Guthrie was
left behind. Built as a testament to Victorian elegance
befitting the capital of a new state, the city still retained
its style and architectural integrity. Most likely because
it was abandoned, the buildings, built to define Victorian
elegance were spared the updating and sprawl that goes
with urban development. Today, with careful preservation
and restoration, Guthrie stands as a National Historic
Landmark with dozens of beautifully restored buildings,
perfect examples of late 19th and early 20th Century
architecture.
Guthrie began life as a primitive prairie stop along the
AT&SF Railroad. On the day of the Land Run, April 22, 1889,
Guthrie exploded into a city of 10,000 people by nightfall.
Its location in the Unassigned Lands of what was
called Indian Territory, had been chosen as a site for
one of the Federal Land Offices where land seekers
were required to file claims for their land. Within days,
Guthrie morphed into a huge tent city dominating the
landscape. Just as quickly, wooden buildings
replaced the tents that spread across the hills along
the Cottonwood Creek. Guthrie became one of the
largest cities west of the Mississippi and was soon
recognized for its beautiful buildings built of red brick
and pale native sandstone.
AT&SF Railroad. On the day of the Land Run, April 22, 1889,
Guthrie exploded into a city of 10,000 people by nightfall.
Its location in the Unassigned Lands of what was
called Indian Territory, had been chosen as a site for
one of the Federal Land Offices where land seekers
were required to file claims for their land. Within days,
Guthrie morphed into a huge tent city dominating the
landscape. Just as quickly, wooden buildings
replaced the tents that spread across the hills along
the Cottonwood Creek. Guthrie became one of the
largest cities west of the Mississippi and was soon
recognized for its beautiful buildings built of red brick
and pale native sandstone.
| A National Historic Landmark and the Birthplace of Oklahoma |
| The facade of the Carnegie Library is one of many outstanding architectural elements that contribute to Guthrie's appeal as a National Historic Landmark |
One of the few photographs
of Oklahoma's Land Run
of Oklahoma's Land Run
