National Register Listing

Gillespie Building

a.k.a. American State Bank Building;Canadian Rivers Historical Muse

102 E. Main St., Geary, OK
The Gillespie Building is significant within the historic context of Geary, Oklahoma, because it reflects the town's early development and commercial growth during the 1903-1931 period. During these years the building was continuously occupied by banking concerns. In the circumstances of its construction and subsequent function, it typifies Geary's business buildings of the era. It reflects the historical associations of "the bank corner," which was the financial heart of Geary in its early years.
Local significance of the building:
Commerce

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1989.

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.

commerce
Audiobooks about the history of Oklahoma.
Oklahoma was originally intended to be two separate states: Oklahoma and Indian Territory. However, when Oklahoma became a state in 1907, it included both areas.
Oklahoma random facts
Blaine County is located in the state of Oklahoma, USA, and has a rich history that dates back to its early settlement by Native American tribes. The region was originally inhabited by various groups of Native Americans, including the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, who roamed the area for centuries before the arrival of European settlers.

In the 19th century, the land that would become Blaine County was part of the vast territory designated as Indian Territory. During this time, the United States government forcibly relocated Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the East to the western territories, including present-day Oklahoma. The establishment of Indian Territory opened up opportunities for non-Native settlers to homestead in the area.

Blaine County was officially established on November 16, 1892, when it was carved out of several neighboring counties. It was named in honor of James G. Blaine, a prominent politician and statesman of the time. The county seat was initially located in Watonga, which had been settled in the late 1880s.

The early economy of Blaine County revolved around agriculture, with farming and ranching playing a vital role. The discovery of oil in the early 20th century brought significant changes to the county's economy. Oil wells were established, attracting new industry and boosting the local economy. Today, Blaine County continues to be an important agricultural region, as well as benefiting from industries such as oil and gas production.

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

  • 1884 - Blaine County is established as part of the Oklahoma Territory
  • 1906 - The town of Watonga becomes the county seat
  • 1912 - Longdale, Canton, and Okeene are incorporated as towns
  • 1947 - The Roman Nose State Park is established
  • 1993 - The Blaine County Museum is opened in Watonga