Carmen IOOF Home

a.k.a. The Carmen Home of Pentecostal Holiness Church

N of Carmen, Carmen, OK
Constructed to promulgate an organizational function of care for orphans of fraternity members, the building location north of Carmen, Oklahoma was the result of a subscription contest in 1902 in which the Carmen lodge solicited more than $5,000.00. Under the guidance of W.H. Willhour of Byron, Oklahoma and A.T. Whitworth of Carmen, the initial south wing of the home was constructed. J.B.A. Robertson, later to become the fourth governor of Oklahoma, laid the cornerstone for the building on 13 October 1906 and dedicated the building on 26 April 1907 in a ceremony that drew a crowd of nearly 6,000 people. By 1917 three other wings were completed, all at a total cost of &75,000.00, and were maintaining nearly 200 children. The Pentecostal Holiness Church purchased the building in 1949 after it had stood vacant during the war years. In 1955 the church converted the buildings function to a nursing home and has continued it as such to the present. The building continues to provide the area with a necessary social facility.
Local significance of the building:
Commerce; Social History

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

During the Great Depression, thousands of farmers in Oklahoma were displaced from their land due to drought and dust storms. Many of these farmers migrated to California in search of work, a journey that became known as the "Okie migration."
Alfalfa County, Oklahoma, located in the north-central part of the state, has a rich and diverse history. The area was initially inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Osage and Kaw, who thrived in the region for centuries. In the 1800s, European settlers began arriving, drawn by the promise of land and fertile soil.

Alfalfa County was officially established in 1907, just a year after Oklahoma became a state. The county was named after the perennial forage crop, alfalfa, which is widely grown in the area. Agriculture quickly became the backbone of the county's economy, with farmers using the fertile soil to grow crops such as wheat, corn, and cotton.

One significant event in Alfalfa County's history was the discovery of oil in the early 1900s. Oil wells were drilled, leading to a boom in the county's economy and population. The oil industry brought prosperity and development to the area, with the town of Carmen becoming a major oil hub.

However, like many other regions, Alfalfa County also faced challenges during the Great Depression of the 1930s. The economy suffered, and many farmers were forced to abandon their land. The Dust Bowl further exacerbated the situation, with severe droughts and dust storms devastating the agricultural sector.

Despite these challenges, Alfalfa County has persevered and continues to thrive. Today, the county remains primarily agricultural, with a focus on crop production and livestock farming. Many historic sites, such as the Cherokee Strip Museum in Alva, preserve the county's rich history for future generations to appreciate.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Alfalfa County, Oklahoma.

  • 1907 - Alfalfa County is established, named after the crop grown in the area.
  • 1899 - The town of Cherokee is established as the county seat.
  • 1904 - The railroad reaches Alfalfa County, sparking growth and development.
  • 1920s - The Great Depression hits Alfalfa County, leading to a decline in population and economic hardships.
  • 1933 - The Dust Bowl affects Alfalfa County, causing severe drought and agricultural devastation.
  • 1940s - Alfalfa County sees a rebound in population and agriculture due to World War II demand.
  • 1950s - Oil and gas production becomes a significant industry in Alfalfa County.
  • 1960s-1970s - Tornadoes strike the area, causing damage and loss of life.
  • 2008 - An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.2 hits Alfalfa County, causing minor damage.