GUTHRIE OKLAHOMA

The largest area of historic buildings in the United States. (Updated May 2024)

Guthrie Oklahoma Land Run

As a method of getting people to settle the new territories in the west, the American government allocated free land in a method known as “land runs”. People could rush out into a specified area at a specific date and time and claim some free land. This induced people to move to Oklahoma Territory. One land run was held on 22 April 1889. One had to register at a land office in advance to participate in the land run.   The federal government set up a land office in the wilderness in Oklahoma. Overnight, the area became a tent city of 10,000 people. After claiming their land, the settlers moved out, but others moved in. The farmers needed a town with banks, stores and services. Soon, buildings replaced the tents, and that city is now Guthrie, Oklahoma.

You can see a good depiction of an Oklahoma land run in the movie “Far and Away” starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.

On 16 November 1907, Oklahoma Territory, Indian Territory, and the Neutral Zone, once part of Texas, joined the union as the State of Oklahoma, which means “red people” in Choctaw, with Guthrie as the state capital.

Four months after the land run, Guthrie had 15 hotels, 40 restaurants, six banks, and five newspapers. The state capital moved to Oklahoma City in 1913. Guthrie was booming from 1889 to 1913 but declined after the capital moved to Oklahoma City.

Historic Buildings

Today, Guthrie is a wonderful town of Victorian-era buildings. Most buildings in the downtown area were built between 1890 and 1910. Many are now antique stores, craft shops, flower shops, teashops and restaurants. I think many people come here on weekends from Oklahoma City, which is just a half-hour drive away, to shop for antiques, stroll the downtown and buy an ice cream cone. There are no modern businesses or chain restaurants in the downtown area. Modern stores and restaurants such as Walmart and McDonald’s are located a few miles away on the city’s outskirts. The drug store still has an ice cream counter and sells cones, milkshakes and other products. You can sit and have an ice cream while waiting for your prescription.

The city of Guthrie should be commended for preserving its heritage. I am sure it would be profitable to allow modern businesses into the downtown area, but it would spoil the unique beauty of the old city. 

The De Steiger Building

The Gray Brothers Building

The Library

The State Capital Building

The Pollard Theatre

The City Hall and other demolished buildings

Victorian architecture went out of favour in the 1950s, and sadly, a few wonderful old buildings were demolished. The castle-like city hall was torn down in 1955 to build a modern building. The wonderful old Brooks Opera House was demolished to make way for a parking lot. Several other historic buildings met the same fate in the 1950s. I am sure the city regrets it now. Many lovely old buildings have been saved but, sadly, the best ones are gone.

Old Ads Painted on Brick Buildings

Victorian Era Houses

Largest Masonic Temple in the World

Guthrie is home to the largest Masonic Temple in the world. At first, I thought it was the old state capital building, but it is bigger and more elegant than the capital building. The old state capital building is directly behind the Masonic Temple and is connected to it, as the Masons now occupy that as well. I asked for and was given a tour of the building. I don’t know much about Masons, but the building is very beautiful, and I was impressed with its size and beauty. It is like a royal palace on the inside. There are several huge chandeliers that are worth $100,000 each. The building is said to be worth 85 million dollars. It occupies 10.6 acres with 400,000 feet of floor space. The door knobs, locks, hinges and even the screws are gold-plated. It is said to be the most beautiful building in Oklahoma.

Visit Guthrie Oklahoma

I tend to seek out small towns like Guthrie, Oklahoma and avoid large cities like Oklahoma City. Guthrie is not a famous place, although it should be. I had not heard of it before I stumbled upon it one day. I spent a couple of days there and thoroughly enjoyed it. If you are ever in Oklahoma, be sure to visit historic Guthrie.

Oklahoma Songs

There are about 250 songs about Oklahoma. Here are some of the most famous ones:

• 24 hours from Tulsa by Gene Pitney
• Baja Oklahoma by Willie Nelson from the TV movie by the same name.
• Home Sweet Oklahoma by Patti Page,
• Oklahoma by Rogers and Hammerstein from the musical by the same name,
• Oklahoma Sunday Morning by Glen Campbell,
• Take Me Back to Oklahoma by Chubby Checker.
• Tulsa by Rufous Wainwright.
• Tulsa Telephone Book by Tom T. Hall..
• Tulsa Turnaround by Kenny Rogers.
• Okie from Moscogee by Merle Haggard