New Oklahoma National Register Listings
Lynda Ozan
(405) 522-4478
03/22/12
Oklahoma City, OK
For Immediate Release
The Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office is pleased to announce three new National Register of Historic Places listing. The newest listings from Oklahoma include: one historic district, an archeological site and a railroad resource. The National Register of Historic Places is our nation's official list of properties significant in our past.
The Downtown Norman Historic District, located in Norman, Cleveland County, is significant for its association with historic commercial activities in Norman. As the core of the central business district, this area has been the center of commercial development in Norman from shortly after its founding in 1889 to the present. The vast majority of construction in the area was completed by 1960, with most commercial construction activity after this time being in the form of renovations and a small number of infill construction projects. The buildings in the Downtown Norman Historic District reflect the commercial growth of this community, growth spurred by agricultural prosperity, proximity to transportation routes, and the University of Oklahoma. The nomination was prepared by Kelli Gaston for the City of Norman.
The Heerwald site, located in Custer County, is significant as it represents a village of the incompletely understood Turkey Creek phase, A.D. 1200-1450. The presence of intact cultural deposits and subsurface features indicates this site has the potential to provide important information on the subsistence, trade, site structure, and other socio-economic activities of groups in the Washita River basin of west-central Oklahoma 600-800 years ago. From the investigations of 34CU27, the site can provide additional information concerning diet, tool industry, town layout, and other aspects of Plains Villager life leading up to the precontact coalescent or "protohistoric" period. The Heerwald site has the potential to answer many basic questions concerning the Turkey Creek phase and the lifestyle of these people during the 13th through early 15th centuries.
The Santa Fe Depot in Ponca City is significant for its association with rail transportation in Ponca City from its construction in 1911 until its remodeling at the end of World War II. It is also significant as a notable and unique example of a modified Mission/Colonial Revival style combination passenger and freight depot. The nomination was prepared for the City of Ponca City by Kelli Gaston.
Listing in the National Register is an honorific designation that provides recognition, limited protection and, in some cases, financial incentives for these important properties. The SHPO identifies, evaluates, and nominates properties for this special designation.
For detailed information, contact Lynda Ozan at 405/522-4478 or email lozan@okhistory.org.
