National Register Listing

Johnson Home

400 Country Club Rd., Ardmore, OK
The Roy M. Johnson Home is both historically and architecturally significant because: (1) its historic association with Roy M. Johnson, co-founder of the Crystal Oil Company, the first such operation to purchase leases and drill wells in the Healdton Oil Field, one of Oklahoma's richest petroleum discoveries, and (2) it is the best remaining example of Richardsonian Romanesque vocabulary as applied to a dwelling in Ardmore.
In 1907, the year of Oklahoma statehood, Johnson moved from Texas to Ardmore where he started a weekly newspaper, the Ardmore Statesman. During the next eight years, he promoted the potential of petroleum in the Ardmore vicinity. Finally in 1915, he and two fellow Ardmore businessmen (Galt and Franklin) formed a development company which drilled the first well in the Healdton Oil Field, which dominated the petroleum industry of Oklahoma for the next decade. Following the discovery of oil in 1915, Johnson had accumulated sufficient wealth to build a mansion in the Country Club section of Ardmore. From 1915 until his death in 1960, Johnson and his family resided in the nominated property. His most productive years were in the 1920s and 1930s when he served as treasurer of the Crystal Oil Company, County Commissioner of Carter County, a member of the first Oklahoma Highway Commission, financed the first skyscraper in Ardmore (Simpson Building), director of the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce, and director of the Ardmore National Bank. He was also known for his philanthropic activities having donated land for both the Ardmore Memorial and Ardmore Adventist Hospitals.
The Johnson Home features a simplified Richardsonian Romanesque vocabulary. Noteworthy elements include the rock-faced coursed ashlar wall finish giving the dwelling an overall sense of heaviness and rough texture, arched openings in front and rear, stone voussoirs and keys, numerous casement windows, and short columns. Additional decorative elements consist of lunette-type windows, balustraded deck and front patio, French-type doors with sidelights, and Spanish red tile roof Johnson's most significant contributions to the historical development of city of Ardmore and state of Oklahoma were made while residing in the nominated property. The home is currently owned by the Otey Johnson Estate (Otey was one of Roy's children) thereby continuing its historic association with the Roy Johnson family.
Local significance of the building:
Industry; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

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.

industry architecture
The Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 was the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history. The bombing, which was carried out by Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, killed 168 people and injured hundreds more.
Oklahoma random facts
Carter County, Oklahoma, has a rich history dating back thousands of years. The area was initially inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Chickasaw and Choctaw nations, who relied on the fertile land for farming and hunting. European explorers, such as Hernando de Soto in the 16th century, also passed through the region.

In the early 1800s, the United States government began negotiating treaties with the Native American tribes in the area, leading to their forced removal to Indian Territory. During the 1837 Chickasaw Removal, the Chickasaw Nation established its capital in present-day Tishomingo, which became a prominent town in the county.

After the founding of Oklahoma Territory in 1889, Carter County was officially established in 1907. Its name honors Captain Ben W. Carter, a well-known Cherokee Indian scout and leader in the region. The county's main industries at that time were agriculture and ranching, with cotton and cattle being the primary commodities.

Oil was discovered in the Healdton Field in the early 1900s, sparking an oil boom that significantly impacted the county's economy. The population increased rapidly, and towns such as Ardmore and Healdton saw tremendous growth. The oil industry continues to play a significant role in the county's economy.

Today, Carter County is home to numerous historical sites, including the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, which was established in 1902 as the first national park in Oklahoma. The county also boasts a diverse economy, with sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, and tourism contributing to its growth and development.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Carter County, Oklahoma.

  • 1837 - The land that is now Carter County is part of the Chickasaw Nation's territory.
  • 1856 - The Chickasaw Nation enters into a treaty with the United States, establishing a reservation in present-day Carter County.
  • 1872 - The Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad begins construction through the area, leading to increased settlement.
  • 1901 - Carter County is established as part of the Oklahoma Territory.
  • 1907 - Oklahoma becomes a state, including Carter County.
  • 1910 - The city of Ardmore becomes the county seat of Carter County.
  • 1933 - The construction of Lake Murray State Park begins, providing a recreational area for residents and visitors.
  • 1964 - The Turner Falls Park is established in the Arbuckle Mountains, becoming a popular tourist attraction.
  • 1995 - The Murray State College Arbuckle Center opens in Ardmore, providing educational opportunities to the community.