Original Townsite, Norman, Oklahoma Territory

The Original Townsite in Norman, Oklahoma, represents an area with significant historical and architectural importance, located east of Norman’s Central Business District. It was platted in 1887 by the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway Company and developed in 1889 after the opening of the Unassigned Lands. This district forms the core of Norman, with Main Street dividing the area into two triangles, and it showcases a mix of modest residential development to the east and more prominent homes to the west, originally favored by wealthier citizens.

The district is characterized by its slightly rolling landscape, tree-lined streets, and a mixture of architectural styles from the turn of the century, including Folk Victorian and Queen Anne elements, alongside bungalows from the 1920s. The homes range in size from small one-story houses to medium-sized two-story residences, many of which retain their original architectural integrity despite subsequent modifications. Decorative features like fish scale shingles, bay windows, and steeply pitched roofs are common, as are porches on various sides of the homes.

Development in the Original Townsite area was initially sparse, with many vacant lots remaining until the 1950s. Infill development occurred after 1944, though newer buildings have affected the historical consistency of the district. Notable public structures within the district’s history include the Cleveland County Courthouse, which was controversially placed in a residential area and later destroyed by fire in 1904, and the Central State Hospital, a mental health facility whose presence impacted the area’s growth.

Despite changes and some deterioration, the district remains a valuable representation of early Norman housing, reflecting the community’s growth following the Land Run of 1889.