Old Plant Office Building, U.S. Gypsum Co.
OK 51A, Southard, OKThe old Plant Office Building is significant because of its historical relationship to the principal industrial activity in Blaine County, Oklahoma In the county is one of the purest gypsum deposits in the United States. Commercial exploitation of the mineral began as early as 1902, but it was not until 1905 that George H. Southard opened his mine and mill in the community that now bears his name. In 1912 the United States Gypsum Company acquired the property and has since operated the facility as its Southard plant. After quarrying the mineral rock (CCS04-2H20) is calcinated (removal of water) and turned into plaster or an inert filler. The ore taken from some 4000 acres of land, is refined and processed into 260 different products that are shipped daily in 30 railroad cars and 15-20 trucks. The plant employs approximately 230 people and has an annual payroll of over $2,000,000. Vendors sell annually to the plant goods valued at more than $3,000,000. Put differently, the Southard gypsum plant is the industrial base of Blaine County.
The old Plant Office Building was the headquarters of the George H. Southard Company at the genesis of mining and milling operations in 1905. It continued in that capacity following the purchase of the operation in 1912 by the United States Gypsym Company. There are additional office facilities today, but the building still houses clerks and administrators critical to the management of the plant. Just to the rear of the structure is the huge mill and processing facilities of the company. Since those are of relatively recent vintage, only the old Plant Office Building reflects the development over time of the gypsum industry in Blaine County as well as all of Oklahoma.
Local significance of the building:
The old Plant Office Building was the headquarters of the George H. Southard Company at the genesis of mining and milling operations in 1905. It continued in that capacity following the purchase of the operation in 1912 by the United States Gypsym Company. There are additional office facilities today, but the building still houses clerks and administrators critical to the management of the plant. Just to the rear of the structure is the huge mill and processing facilities of the company. Since those are of relatively recent vintage, only the old Plant Office Building reflects the development over time of the gypsum industry in Blaine County as well as all of Oklahoma.
Industry
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
About National Register Listings
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.
The first land run in Oklahoma took place on April 22, 1889, when more than 50,000 people rushed to claim free land in the Unassigned Lands, which had been opened up for settlement by the federal government.
About Blaine County
Blaine County Timeline
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.
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.
Blaine County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history 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