The Active Historian

Historic Markers in Stockyard City: OKC

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Hey, friend! Welcome back to another post. Today, I want to show you a few of the historic markers and statues around the historic Stockyard City in OKC. Let’s get started!

A welcome sign for Stockyard City featuring a cowboy figure waving and a longhorn silhouette, set against a brick background with a colorful sky.
“Welcome to Stockyard City.”
Sign for Stockyard City featuring a cowboy figure waving and the phrase 'Ya'll come back'.
“Y’all come back Stockyard City.”

Stockyards City was added to the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior in 1979. The property was built in 1910 in OKC. This plaque is on the Langston’s store at Agnew and Exchange.

Plaque commemorating Stockyards City, indicating it has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior, built in 1910.

The Oklahoma National Stockyards is “the world’s largest stocker and feeder cattle market.”

A woman stands smiling in front of the Oklahoma National Stockyards entrance, featuring a sign that reads 'Oklahoma National Stockyards - The World's Largest Stocker and Feeder Cattle Market.' The sky is partly cloudy and the surroundings include a street and nearby buildings.

A Brief History of Stockyards Banking

Plaque detailing the history of banking at Stockyards City, Oklahoma, including the establishment of the first commercial bank in 1910, its evolution, and notable events in its history.
Please see the transcribed plaque text below this photo.

“The first commercial bank in the Stock Yards was the Oklahoma Stock Yards National Bank at the location of today’s UMB Bank. The bank was chartered in 1910 along with the opening of the Oklahoma City stockyards and two livestock packing plants, Morris & Co and S & S Packing. The principal owner was Col. Edward Morris who also owned other banks, stockyards companies and packing plants in the Midwest. This bank moved to Downtown Oklahoma City in 1924.

In March 1925, a new bank named Stock Yards Bank opened in the same location with initial capital of $25,000. This bank is the predecessor to the current bank and was the first bank in Oklahoma City to offer drive-up banking windows. This bank survived the Depression of the 1930’s and the up and down cycles of agriculture and cattle for many decades. During World War II, the bank was one of the first financial institutions in the state to employ women in vital bank roles. The name was later changed to United Oklahoma Bank and the current bank building was constructed in 1969 with the drive-thru and second floor addition built in 1976.

United Oklahoma Bank did not survive the severe energy and real estate downturn of the 1980’s and, on March 17, 1987, the bank was closed by the FDIC and reopened the following day with new capitalization under new ownership and management. The name was changed to The Oklahoma Bank. The Oklahoma Bank prospered and was later sold to UMB Financial Corporation in 1996.

Presidents of the bank who have served for more extended periods of time include J.M. Browning (1925-1932), C.B. Yale (1932-1942), Harold R. Empie (1942-1963), R.Y. Empie (1963-1979) and Royce M. Hammons (1987-Present).”

“Headin to Market” by Harold T. Holden

A bronze statue of a cowboy on horseback in front of a building, with flags flying in the background and decorative greenery nearby.
A bronze sculpture of a cowboy on horseback, holding a rope, with a bull in front. The statue is mounted on a granite base featuring inscriptions and sponsor acknowledgments. The background showcases a blue sky with clouds.
Bronze sculpture of a cowboy on horseback, guiding two cattle, with a commemorative plaque in front, set against a blue sky with clouds.
A smiling woman with braided hair poses for a selfie in front of a large equestrian statue against a blue sky with clouds. The statue depicts a mounted figure holding a flag, located near a street with decorative elements.

Stockyards City Clock

A traditional street clock with 'Stockyards' and 'Est. 1910' engraved at the top, positioned on a sidewalk with a clear blue sky in the background.
A vintage street clock with the inscription 'Est. 1910 Stockyards' stands on a sidewalk beside a quiet street, with a clear blue sky and scattered clouds in the background.
Official Oklahoma sign promoting Historic Stockyards City in Oklahoma City, featuring a vintage building illustration.
“Official Urban District. Visit Historic Stockyards City in Oklahoma City.”
Sunset with vibrant orange and yellow rays behind clouds, silhouetted power lines and buildings in the foreground.

The sunset was beautiful on this evening and I snapped a quick picture!

Concluding Thoughts

Stockyards City is definitely a place you want to add to your list the next time you visit Oklahoma City. The area is rich with history and Western culture.

I hope you’ll join me for another future post about the historic buildings in Stockyard City. There is so much to talk about!

Until then – happy traveling! I’ll talk to ya soon 🙂

Sources

“Stockyards City Main Street.” Website.

“Stockyards City Historic District.” National Register of Historic Places.

“Oklahoma National Stockyards.” The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. Oklahoma Historical Society.

“Take a Stroll Through Historic Stockyards City.” Travel Oklahoma.

“Oklahoma City National Stockyards and the Packing Industry.” Metropolitan Library.

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