Hey, friend! Welcome back to another post. Today, I want to show you around the Harn Homestead in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Let’s get started!
The Harn House
In 1891, William and Alice Harn moved to Oklahoma Territory. William had been appointed as a special land commissioner to figure out property ownership after the Land Run of 1889. Harn’s federal appointment came to an end in 1893.
Alice hoped to return back to their home in Ohio, but William wanted to stay in Oklahoma City. Harn bought 160 acres in 1897 for around $425. In December 1903, William let Alice choose any home she wished from the National Homebuilder’s catalog. She chose a Victorian, Queen Anne style kit and six weeks later their home was complete.
Florence Wilson, Alice Harn’s niece came to live with them after her mother died. Florence lived with the Harn’s until they passed in 1931 (Alice) and 1944 (William).
Florence then inherited the homestead and lived there until 1967. She deeded it to Oklahoma City for a park and museum. She wanted children to continue learning the history of the Oklahoma Territorial years. In June 1986, the Harn Homestead Museum opened.
In 1973, the Harn House was listed on the National Historic Register of Historic Places.
Swipe through the photos below to inside the Harn home!
The cellar and well pictured below are original to the Harn house and had multiple uses. In the cellar, you could hide from tornadoes or keep your food cool in the heat of the summer. The herbs growing around the cellar were used for medicines, spices, and more. The Harns could get water from the well or keep their milk and butter cool.
Harn would eventually sell 40 acres of his land for building the Oklahoma state capitol complex. You can see the capitol building in the distance from the front yard of the Harn house.
The Event Barn
The Event Barn is a replica of the one the Harns built. The original barn burned down in 1921 and the family chose not to rebuild as they were trying to reduce the size of their property.
Today, the Event Barn hosts events like plays and weddings. You can visit the Harn Homestead website for more information about shows or booking.
The Shinn Barn
The Shinn Barn was one of the first dairy barns in Oklahoma Territory built in 1904. It was built near Okeene, OK on Elmus J. Shinn’s homestead. The dairy barn complied all commercial regulations established at the time. According the plaque next to the barn: “Milking took place in an area separated from all other activities. The milk was then passed through a small door to the processing room, also completely closed off from the rest of the barn.”
The Shinn Barn was moved to the Harn Homestead in 1987 and was also listed on the National Historic Register.
Henry Neal Cabin
Henry Lee Neal used logs from his father’s original homestead cabin to build this replica of the cabin. His father had staked a claim in the Oklahoma Land Run of 1889 near Wanette.
In 1974, Henry’s daughters donated the cabin to the University of Oklahoma (OU). In 2005, OU donated the cabin to the Harn Homestead. His daughter stated: “We’re thrilled that this cabin is being used to educate children. It would be Dad’s dream come true.”
Stoney Point Schoolhouse
In 1897, the Stoney Point Schoolhouse was built near Crescent, Oklahoma. The school permanently closed in 1947. In 1986, the Stoney Point Schoolhouse was moved to the Harn Homestead for preservation.
Shepard House
In 1889, George T. Shepard built this home for his family near the site of the current Shepherd mall. They would join him in 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Shepard had eight children aged 14-24.
This two-story home was considered fancy in the late-1890s because the four rooms were separated and there was an indoor staircase. It didn’t have plumbing or electricity though.
The home was eventually moved from the site near Shepard Mall to the Oklahoma City Zoo. In 1986, the home was moved to the Harn Homestead for preservation.
The George Upton Family Farmhouse
In 1909, William F. Harn moved this house to his homestead for his nephew’s family. Harn had asked his nephew to come act as the property’s caretaker. George and Margaret Louella Harn, along with their children moved to the home in Oklahoma.
Old Farm Equipment
Swipe through the carousel to see photos of several pieces of farm equipment!
Concluding Thoughts
I enjoyed visiting the Harn Homestead in Oklahoma City. There is so much history located on this property. If you go visit, make sure to check the hours beforehand. They have field trips during the week and may not be open to the public. Their hours are updated weekly on their website!
Happy Traveling! I’ll talk to ya soon 🙂
Visit
1721 N. Lincoln Blvd
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Sources
*Plaques throughout the grounds next to each building.
Oklahoma’s National Register of Historic Places – Database
The Active Historian 
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