When we began our traveling nurse adventure in October 2017, our first overnight stop on the drive to El Paso was historic Guthrie Oklahoma. We wanted to explore the downtown area, but due to a needed RV repair, we did not have time. You can read about that first night at On the Road to El Paso.
After two wonderful nights camping at Palo Duro Canyon State Park, we headed northeast early Monday morning towards Guthrie. About six and a half hours later, we pulled into Cedar Valley RV Park. We set up, walked the dogs, and drove downtown.
It was a little after 5 pm when we parked near the post office. We were in search of the smallest U.S. National Park mentioned in the brochure we picked up in October. Located on 2nd street, the 100 square foot park borders the post office parking lot.
Due to a 1907 clerical error, the city founders plan to commemorate the site of the 1889 land run office with a 100-foot square park, turned into a much smaller memorial. This error was not discovered until decades later when the city’s historic district boundaries were being set.
The little park was not the only reason we wanted to visit the downtown area. Guthrie is home to the largest contiguous historic district on the National Register of Historic Places. We enjoy reading the history of small towns and looking at the different types of architecture.
It was a pleasant late April evening, perfect for a stroll along the brick sidewalks. After leaving the park, we walked south on 2nd Street, toward W. Harrison. On the corner is Honor Park, at the site of the Reeves Brothers Casino.
In the background of the above picture, is The State Capital Publishing Company. Built in 1902, the building was designed by a local architect to meet the specific needs of the newspaper, making it a great example of the functional industrial architecture of the period.
Across the street is the Coyle & Smith Building, also on the National Register of Historic Places. What caught our eye was this little U.S. Marshall jail.
On the opposite corner of The State Capital Building, at 224 W. Harrison Ave, is the Blue Bell Bar. The bar has been reopened as The Blue Belle Saloon, a Mexican bar and grill.
We walked along the brick sidewalk on the W. Harrison side of the Blue Bell. That is where we saw Miss Lizzie’s red door. The story is her customers used this door to go upstairs to the 17-room bordello she managed above the bar. Oh, and it’s also haunted.
We continued our stroll, stopping at the Victor Building on the corner of W. Harrison and 1st St.
On the opposite corner is the Sneed-Coffin Building. Built in 1904, it is now home to the Guthrie Pet Hospital. We could not find any information regarding the history of the sign advertising the benefits of Coca-Cola.
We stopped again at the corner of Division St. and W. Oklahoma. Built in 1890, the Gray Bros. Building is a huge presence on this corner.
Crossing Division, we were now on E. Oklahoma. The famous DeSteiguer Building was our next stop. Look closely. This is actually two buildings designed to look like one.
Across the street was this interesting storefront. This is a good example of the entry for apartments above the shops. The address is 109 1/2.
Taking the sidewalk to the corner, we saw Bryon’s Double Stop Fiddle Shop and Music Hall at the corner of E. Oklahoma and N. Wentz. We really wanted to go in, however, it was closed for the day. Their website provides some interesting information and fiddle playing.
We decided it was time to head to the car. We were not done seeing historic sites and captured several more along the way.
The Historic Guthrie First National Bank, built in 1923, is on the corner of S. 1st Street and W. Oklahoma Ave.
On the opposite corner is The Lintz Department Store. The original two-thirds of the building was built in 1899 as a two-story. A renovation in 1909 incorporated the building to the east. A third story was also added during the renovation. The original storefronts are surrounded by black Carrera glass.
Walking down W. Oklahoma, we passed the front side of the Post Office and continued towards S. 2nd St. That is where we found the Oklahoma Frontier Drugstore Museum. Since it was closed on Mondays, we peeked into the windows and took a few photos.
Adjacent to the museum is The Apothecary Garden. In the center of the garden is Guthrie’s Oklahoma Centennial Clock.
We had parked across from the Post Office on W. Oklahoma. This building did not have a name or a date on the front and we were unable to find information on it. We just thought that it looked a bit out of place with the historic Beadles Building next door.
The Santa Fe Station was our next stop. It was a short drive to 403 W. Oklahoma. The historic station was built in 1902.
Our last stop before heading back to the RV Park was the Old Logan County Memorial Hospital. Currently, it is being renovated into senior living apartments. The hospital has a reputation as haunted and has been the subject of several articles and shows.
Just a couple more pictures from our stay in Guthrie, Oklahoma.
Our next post features another historic town, Fort Madison, Iowa. If you would like to be notified when that post is ready, complete the Subscribe section below.