Hey, Friend! Welcome back to another post. Today, I want to show you a Victorian house in Edmond, Oklahoma which belonged to the Rodkey family. Let’s get started!
Who were the Rodkeys?
Born to German farmers in Maryland, Isaac Wesley Rodkey grew up learning the value of hard work. He eventually moved to McPherson, Kansas to learn how to mill flour. While living in Kansas, Isaac met Catherine Rank and they were married in 1888.
The Rodkey family moved from Kansas to Oklahoma City in 1894 when Isaac accepted a partner position at the Acme Milling Company.
In 1897, the Rodkeys moved from OKC to Edmond. Isaac and his business partner, George Farrar bought the Gallihue-Martin Mill. They renamed it the “Eagle Milling Co.”
The Rodkeys were prominent and active citizens in Edmond for many years hosting several socials in their home for the community. They had three children: Bess, Earl, and Don.
Isaac Rodkey later bought out George Farrar’s shares of the mill and sold one-half interest in the mill to his oldest son, Earl. His other son Don would join them in the business later. The mill was renamed, “Rodkey Flour Mill.”
During the Great Depression, Rodkey Flour Mill sacks were used to make clothing for families. The colorful sacks were fashioned into outfits by women to dress themselves and their families.
“Buy the flour, use the sack – if not satisfied, get your money back.”
-Rodkey Company Motto
Rodkey House History
The Rodkey House was built in 1900 on a southwest corner lot at Campbell and Littler. The Rodkey home was built in the Edwardian architecture style and is roughly 1400 square feet. The exterior of the home has been restored to its pale peach color.
In 1922, Isaac Rodkey purchased a brick home on Jackson Street and sold the Rodkey Home home to his youngest son, Don.
Don and his wife lived in the Rodkey Home until 1960. After this, the home passed through a few different set of hands before an Edmond businessman purchased it and decided to donate it to the City of Edmond.
Today, the Rodkey Home sits in Stephenson Park after being restored in 2016. The property is managed by the Edmond History Museum and it utilized for events, school programs, and the occasional film set.
The Rodkey Flour Mill was closed in 1972 and today houses Dwain’s Automotive who have incorporated the historic sign on the silo.
In 2004, the Rodkey Flour Mill sign was also restored. The Rodkey Mill still stands in Edmond today at 105 W. Third Street where you can visit it.
It is fitting that from the Rodkey Home in Stephenson Park you can look up and to Northwest and see the Rodkey Flour Mill still standing tall on the skyline.
Rodkey’s Best Flour Newspaper Ad Examples
Historic Marker Transcription
The Rodkey House
“Built in 1900, The Rodkey House is a 1,388 Square Foot Victorian Home. The house was originally located at 30 E. Campbell Street in Downtown Edmond and was the home of Isaac W. and Catherine Rodkey and their children, Bess Earl and Don.
Isaac Rodkey founded the Eagle Milling Company which produced Rodkey’s Best Flour. Catherine was involved in Edmond’s Women’s Clubs and Civic Improvements. In 1927, Don Rodkey purchased the house and lived in it until 1961. In 2007, Pete Reeser, an Edmond businessman donated the house to the city and it was moved to its current location at Stephenson Park. The house underwent a complete restoration in 2016. Today, the Rodkey House continues to be owned by the City of Edmond and maintained by the Edmond History Museum.”
Visit
410 S Littler Avenue
Edmond, OK 73034
Sources
Secondary Sources
“Rodkey Field Trips.” Edmond History Museum.
“Rodkey Flour Mill.” Edmond History Museum.
“Rodkey House Rental.” Edmond History Museum.
“Photographs of Rodkey Milling.” Edmond History Museum.
“Rodkey Milling Co. Photos.” Edmond History Museum.
“1900 Territorial Home.” Edmond Historic Preservation Trust.
“Rodney House Event and Education Annex.” Visit Edmond.
“Featured Location for January 2022: 1901 Historic Rocky House.” Oklahoma Film + Music. January 6, 2022.
*Panel at the Rodkey House shown below.
Primary Sources
Newspapers
“All About Everything.” Edmond Sun (Edmond, Oklahoma), November 2, 1900.
“A reception carrying out the rose idea…” Edmond Enterprise and Oklahoma County News (Edmond, Oklahoma), May 21, 1903.
“Rodkey’s Best Flour.” The Edmond Enterprise (Edmond, Oklahoma), November 3, 1921, The Gateway to Oklahoma History, Oklahoma Historical Society.
“Rodkey’s Best Flour.” The Edmond Enterprise (Edmond, Oklahoma), April 13, 1922, The Gateway to Oklahoma History, Oklahoma Historical Society.
“Rodkey’s Best Flour.” The Edmond Enterprise (Edmond, Oklahoma), July 10, 1924, The Gateway to Oklahoma History, Oklahoma Historical Society.
“Week-End Specials.” Luther Register (Luther, Oklahoma), July 30, 1931, The Gateway to Oklahoma History, Oklahoma Historical Society.
“Mr. and Mrs. Rodkey Have House Guests.” The Edmond Sun (Edmond, Oklahoma), August 2, 1934.
“Crescent Grocery and Market.” The Crescent Times (Crescent, Oklahoma), March 23, 1939, The Gateway to Oklahoma History, Oklahoma Historical Society.
“December Date Is Set For Exchange Of Vows.” Sapulpa Sunday Herald (Sapulpa, Oklahoma), October 22, 1950, The Gateway to Oklahoma History, Oklahoma Historical Society.
“Rodkey sign to be dedicated.” The Edmond Sun (Edmond, Oklahoma), November 14, 2004, The Gateway to Oklahoma History, Oklahoma Historical Society.
“Project honors bygone flour mill.” The Edmond Sun (Edmond, Oklahoma), November 17, 2004, The Gateway to Oklahoma History, Oklahoma Historical Society.
“The Rodkey House.” The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), October 2, 2026.
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