The Active Historian

Hey, Friend! Welcome back to another post. Today, I want to tell you about the Oklahoma Publishing Company Building originally built as The Oklahoman building. Let’s get started!

History

E.K. Gaylord, Ray M. Dickinson, and Roy M. McClintock established Oklahoma Publishing Co. (OPUBCO) in 1903 in Oklahoma City. They paid $15,000 to purchase a 45% interest in the Daily Oklahoman. The newspaper grew with Gaylord’s guidance.

In 1909, the plant at Harvey and California was damaged by a fire. Many of the machines fall into the basement and the parts had to be replaced. Three floors were entirely gutted and the Giant Press and Linotype became a “mass of twisted steel.” The estimated damages cost roughly $45,000.

Land had already been purchased at 4th and Broadway with plans drawn. Construction on the new facility began the next day after the fire.

D.D. Durland won the bid for the excavation work of the building and was working at the begging of February 1909.

The Oklahoma Publishing Company Building (aka The Oklahoman Building) was built in the Classical Revival style of architecture. This five-story building was designed in 1909 by Solomon Layton and built by Westlake Construction. It is made of Batesville marble which has a similar look to marble. The estimated cost of construction was $125,000.

In June 1909, there was a work strike amongst some of building trades. The strike ended in mid-July and work was resumed.

The building was completed in 1910 and the new location was operational.

In 1918, Gaylord was elected the president of OPUBCO. Stafford sold his controlling interest to Gaylord for $300,000.

The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

Today, the Oklahoma Publishing Company Building houses the YMCA Association Offices.

Current Photos

Historic Marker Transcription

“Built in 1909 and in advance of its time by the foresight of E.K. Gaylord, this Neo-classic edifice has housed a company whose growth closely paralleled that of Oklahoma City.”

Oklahoma City Historical Preservation Commission 1973

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500 N Broadway Ave.

Oklahoma City, OK 73102

Sources

Primary Sources

Newspapers

“Important Consolidation of Architectural Interests.” The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), January 3, 1909.

“Daily Oklahoman Plant Wrecked By Fire Flames Destroy J.I. Case Branch House.” The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), January 30, 1909.

“Wanted Today.” The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), February 2, 1909.

“Start Work On Paper’s New Home.” The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), February 3, 1909.

“Oklahoma Landmark Is Razed By the Hand of Progress.” The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), February 6, 1909.

“The Oklahoman’s New Building Now Under Construction At Broadway and Fourth.” The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), April 22, 1909.

“Oklahoman Building Struck By The Building Trades.” Oklahoma Labor Unit (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), June 26, 1909.

“Call Off Strike on Oklahoman Building.” The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), July 15, 1909.

“Geo. L. Sayles & CO.” The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, OK), July 25, 1909.

“From Embers of a Year Ago To Our Potential Present.” The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), January 29, 1910.

“The History of the Daily Oklahoman.” The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), April 22, 1910.

“Illustrating Some Of Oklahoma City’s Best Buildings.” The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), April 22, 1910.

“The OKLAHOMA PUBLISHING COMPANY Building a Better Oklahoma.” The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), April 16, 1989.

Secondary Sources

“Oklahoma Publishing Company Building.” Oklahoma’s National Register of Historic Places. (ID Number: 78002249)

“The Oklahoma Publishing Co. Building.” National Register of Historic Places.

David Dary, “Oklahoma Publishing Company,” The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. Oklahoma Historical Society.

M. Ben. “Oklahoma publishing Company Building.” Clio: Your Guide to History. August 1, 2019.