1. Moore-Lindsey House
William S. Moore constructed the Moore-Lindsay House in 1899. It is the best example of the late Victorian, Queen Anne architectural style to be found in Norman. Typical features of this style are varied exterior coverings, such as clapboard and shingles, iron work on the roof, towers, spindle work porches, decorative wood trim, and stained glass windows. Notice the unique expression of the Queen Anne Style in the large, round tower with a conical roof topped by a tall finial. A wrap around porch with classical details of the period can also still be seen.This home represents a growing affluency that was taking place in Norman shortly after the settlement in 1889. This area was the city's first exclusive residential district, nicknamed "Silk Stocking Row." The Moore-Lindsay House currently serves as the Cleveland County Historical Museum.This structure was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on November 14, 1985.
2. The Abe Andrews Park Amphitheater
This half-circle structure is the crown jewel of the park's WPA buildings and is located on the west side of the park. The amphitheater was built of native stone with a compatible, rose-colored, concrete cap for seating, which is typical of WPA construction. It was completed in 1937. Over the decades the amphitheater has been used for hundreds of shows and events and is still used today!This structure was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on November 28, 2000, as part of the Norman City Park New Deal Resources.
4. Legacy Trail
Established by the City of Norman, this downtown walking, jogging and bicycle path began as a path paralleling the Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Railroad tracks. It is a landscaped route with plazas commemorating significant events in Norman's history. Art sculptures depicting the history can be found along the trail, including an art sculpture depicting a World War II plane as well as a sculpture depicting historic Downtown Norman! As you travel along Legacy Trail, be sure to stop and get your picture taken with the sculpture of the actor James Garner, a hometown celebrity best known for his role in the Maverick television series.
7. Sooner Theatre
Opening in 1929, the first movie theatre in the region to show “talking pictures” was designed by architect Harold Gimeno, who spared no expense in constructing the Spanish Gothic building. Construction costs of $200,000, expensive at the time, allowed for 252 hand-painted wall panels by Patricio Gimeno, the architect’s father. Sooner Theatre is still used today for live shows from plays to concerts! This structure was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on August 31, 1978.
10. Cleveland County Courthouse
Completed in 1940, the building was designed by Walter T. Vahlberg and constructed using monies provided by the Public Works Administration (PWA). Although the form very closely resembles the Classical Revival style, it is classified as Art Deco due to its prominent Art Deco-style ornamentation. This building is still utilized for the Cleveland County’s court system. The property was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on December 28, 2000.
13. Miller Historic District
This city-designated historic district is historically significant for two reasons: for the role it played in the urban development of Norman, and for the collection of eclectic residential architecture built between 1920 and 1938 that remains standing, most of which retain their architectural integrity. Houses designed in the Bungalow/Craftsman style, Tudor Revival style, Colonial Revival style and National style are found in this district. The designated district is roughly located along Miller Avenue, Crawford Avenue and the west side of Classen Boulevard between Alameda and Emelyn Street. Stroll the tree-lined streets and notice the various styles of architecture in these historic structures!
14. Alpha Chi Omega Sorority
The Alpha Chi Omega Sorority house, known by many as simply “Casa Blanca,” was completed in 1925, and complemented the many Mission-Revival style structures located in the Campus Corner area. The terra cotta tile roof, tile-capped chimneys and prominent curvilinear parapet wall that is similar to a bell tower are all trademarks of the Mission-Revival style. The property was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on February 21, 1990.
15. Campus Corner
Established in 1917 as a shopping and entertainment district adjacent to the University of Oklahoma, the area is undergoing a renaissance of remodeling and growth. It is bounded by University Boulevard to the west, Boyd Street to the south, Deans Row to the east and Apache Street to the north. Of particular note is the old Boomer Theatre building on Asp Avenue, now converted into an office building. Note the “mission-style” facades facing Boyd Street. While not in a designated historic district or listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Campus Corner is beloved for its historical and cultural importance to the community.
16. The Boyd House (President’s House)
Built in 1906 as the private residence of David Ross Boyd, University of Oklahoma’s first president, the house became the official residence of university presidents in 1914. The Neoclassical Revival style reflected a sense of tradition, permanence and classical learning. Presidents of the university used this as their primary residence until 1968. Between 1968 and 1996 it was used for a variety of administrative offices. President David Boren, in the fall of 1996 after a major renovation and restoration of the structure, re-established the structure as the University of Oklahoma President’s residence. It is still used today as the president’s home. The property was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on July 6, 1976.
17. Evans Hall
This structure was designed to accommodate administration offices, a few classrooms and the College of Fine Arts. The building is named for Arthur Grant Evans, OU’s second president. It was built in 1912, with fireproof bricks, after the first two administration buildings comprised of primarily wood, burned to the ground. Today, Evans Halls serves as the administration building for the University. Note the stone statues that are part of the exterior building – these are made in likeness of past OU’s presidents!
18. Bizzell Library
Located prominently on the north end of the “South Oval” on the University of Oklahoma Campus, this brick building was designed in the Collegiate Gothic style and completed construction in 1928. While the structure is an excellent example of the University of Oklahoma architectural style, it is its cultural significance for the role it played in the desegregation of higher education facilities in the United States that lead to its designation as a National Historic Landmark, the highest honor given to historic properties in the country.A prospective African American student, George McLaurin, was denied admission to the University of Oklahoma in October of 1948, based upon the existing “separate but equal” law which required educational facilities be racially segregated. While the District Court of the United States overruled the law which allowed McLaurin to attend, he was segregated from other students in the classroom and the library. Though McLaurin was allowed to enter the Bizzell Library, he was limited to a designated desk on the Mezzanine level, outside the main reading room where the rest of the students studied.Eventually in June of 1950, the United States Supreme Court in a landmark decision, in George W. McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, Board of Regents, et al., along with other racial segregation cases before the Supreme Court, overturned the “separate but equal” law.Bizzell Library was designated as a National Historic Landmark and listed in the National Register of Historic Places on January 3, 2001.
19. The Oklahoma Memorial Student Union
This magnificent campus structure dominating Asp Avenue was completed in 1928 and the clock tower was added in 1936. The Will Rogers Room on the first floor, contains an 83-foot- long mural depicting the life of Oklahoma’s favorite son, Will Rogers. This room has long been used for studying and eating and is still used today with café-style seating adjacent to fast-food restaurants.The Beaird Lounge and the Stuart Landing on the second floor were restored in recent decades and feature a six-foot bronze of the University of Oklahoma seal along with a life-size bronze of the sculpture entitled “The Sower” by Paul Moore. The face is sculpted in the likeness of OU’s first president, David Ross Boyd, and represents the sowing of seeds of knowledge. While the Oklahoma Memorial Student Union is not on the National Register of Historic Places, it is important not only for its architecture but the role it plays in student life!
20. The University of Oklahoma Armory
The ROTC program was established at the University of Oklahoma in 1917 and has served to develop cadets at the University for future service in the military ever since. The Armory was constructed two years later in 1919 and is significant for the impact the ROTC program had at the University of Oklahoma. ROTC stands for Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) and is a college program offered at many colleges and universities across the United States helping to prepare students to become officers in the U.S. Military. Note the towers on this two-story brick Collegiate Gothic building which give it a fortress feel and allude to its military function. The property was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on December 8, 2015.
21. Oklahoma Center for Continuing Education Historic District
The Oklahoma Center for Continuing Education, called O.C.C.E by staff and locals alike, is located south of Lindsey Street on the north side of Timberdell Road between Asp Avenue and Maple Avenue, and is comprised of sixteen buildings as follows: the Administration Building, Forum Building, Housing Units # 1, Kitchen and Dining Hall, Chilled Water Plant, the Kyle McCarter Hall of Advanced Studies and ten small housing units referred to as “cabins”. All were built between 1961-1964 as one of eleven W.K. Kellogg Foundation-funded centers in United States, Great Britain, and Costa Rica.The buildings as well as a fountain and sidewalks are all designed in the Modern architectural style featuring geometric patterns throughout. The Oklahoma Center is unique in Oklahoma Modern buildings because of its use of a variety of polygon patterns with the focus of facilities being the hexagon Forum Building at the center of the grounds. Modern Movement style can be seen in the structures including the overall lack of ornamental details, the use of decorative concrete block as sunscreens for windows, the vertical rows of windows, and flat concrete ledges. These structures still serve as facilities for continuing education, bringing people from across the nation and around the world! The property was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on June 10, 2011.
22. Beta Theta Pi Fraternity House
The Beta house is significant both in terms of architecture and education. Like most major universities in America, there are many fraternities and sororities at the University of Oklahoma. Many of these organizations constructed elegant houses in the 1920s during a period of economic growth and university expansion. The Beta Theta Pi Fraternity House completed construction in 1929. The three-story structure is comprised of a limestone exterior with steel casement windows and tile roofing. Designed by local Harold Gimeno, known for his mission-style architecture, this structure is an outstanding example of Italian Renaissance Style. The most prominent architectural element is the semi-circular portico that extends the entire height of the front façade. The Beta fraternity at the University of Oklahoma is significant in education for the number of young men pledged that became strong leader, particularly, military leaders and politicians. The house still serves as the fraternity house for the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity today. The property was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on July 2, 1982.
23. Ledbetter-Taylor House
Designed in 1947 and constructed in 1948, the house is an excellent example of late American architect Bruce Goff’s work. Based on a series of designs using composite geometry, the Ledbetter house contrasts natural forms and materials with modern or even futuristic elements. The Ledbetter-Taylor House was one of his first designs completed after WW II, and drew local and national attention for its unique Modern design. The house has many imaginative design elements, such as a sawtooth rhythm on the façade along with a contrast of geometric forms with the natural undulating curves of the sandstone wall the surrounds the garden at the front of the house. There are two large circular aluminum disks suspended by cables from steel pipe frames that rise above the house; One disk is the carport while a second disk provides a covered entrance from the side garden. Both are clearly visible from the front sidewalk. The Ledbetter-Taylor House is located at 701. W. Brooks Street; this house is a private residence and is not open to the public. This property was listed in National Register of Historic Places on June 4, 2014.
3. Norman Drainage Ditch
Built along the same time as the Andrews Park Amphitheater, the WPA-built drainage ditch can be found just south of the amphitheater. Built of native stone and concrete and crossed with five bridges in the park, two of which are historic. The bridges are also constructed of native stone and concrete. The drainage ditch crosses central Norman diagonally from Andrews Park to approximately Lions Park. These structures were listed in the National Register of Historic Places on November 28, 2000 as part of the Norman City Park New Deal Resources.
11. Norman Public Library
Designed in the Italian Renaissance style and typical of early 20th century library buildings, it is a simple building that offers classical style and fine interior finish. Constructed in 1929, it served as Norman's library until 1975 and is now the Norman Senior Citizen Center. The property was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on December 28, 1991.
6. Downtown Norman, Main Street
The 100 and 200 blocks as well as the Interurban Trolley Station were listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. These buildings range in age from 1890 to 1971. Many of the buildings on the south side of the 100 block date from the years immediately following the 1902 fire that leveled all but the two easternmost structures. Another serious fire explains why half of the 200 block on the south dates from the 1920s. All along the street are examples of the most popular commercial building designs, from the brick front with pressed iron cornices (a projecting, continuous, prominent horizontal feature located at the top) and cartouches (a rounded, convex surface, usually surrounded with carved ornamental scrollwork, for receiving a painted decoration) to the elaborately ornamented brick facades and classically pillared marble institutions. The 100-200 block of East Main Street, part of Downtown Norman, were listed in the National Register of Historic Places on October 10, 1978. This National Register listing was expanded on March 12, 2012, to encompass all of Downtown Norman from the 100 block of east Main Street to Porter Avenue.
5. Norman Post Office
Built in 1932, the U.S. Post Office is an example of a federally designed Classical Revival style government building. Located away from other Norman government buildings, it is distinguished from other buildings by its style and setting. It served the community as the main post office until 1965. Presently this structure houses private office space. This property was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on November 28, 2000.
9. Santa Fe Depot
Built in 1909 and designed in an interpretation of the Mission Revival style, the depot has a cross-gabled clay tile roof with curvilinear parapets incorporating the Santa Fe logo. The railway company was instrumental in the founding of Norman. The Santa Fe Depot structure is currently being used for a not-for-profit arts and entertainment venue called The Depot. The brick platform next to the rail line is used today by passengers boarding the Heartland Flyer headed for Ft. Worth, TX. The property was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on December 30, 1991.
8. Interurban Trolley Station
Built in 1913 as the Interurban Trolley Station, this location was the terminus for the southern spoke of the trolley system out of Oklahoma City (west was El Reno and the northern spoke was Guthrie, Oklahoma). The trolleys were commuting until September 27, 1947. After the operation of the Interurban ceased, the building was vacant until 1952, when it became the Norman Bus Station. Benvenuti’s Restaurant now utilizes this structure today!
12. Mary Abbott Children’s House
Built in 1903, this grand example of a Victorian home built in Norman. It was owned by Fred and Gertie Reed; Reed was one of Norman's first pharmacists. Fred and Gertie raised four generations of their family in this house. It was converted to a Child Advocacy Center in 2000. It is located within the city-designated Miller Historic District.
