Downtown Norman Historic District (Boundary Increase)

Roughly bounded by Webster, Gray, Porter, Eufaula, James Garner, & Comanche, Norman, OK
The Downtown Norman Historic District is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A at the local level for its association with historic commercial activities in Norman. Although there are several outstanding examples of high style architecture within the district boundaries, there is not a substantial enough concentration of architecturally significant buildings to warrant adding architecture as an area of significance for the district. Overall, the buildings in downtown Norman are very modest in size, style, materials, and ornamentation in keeping with other Oklahoma communities that derive their wealth primarily from farming and ranching activities. High style architecture seems to have been reserved for the nearby University of Oklahoma campus.

As the core of the central business district, this area has been the center of commercial development in Norman from shortly after its founding in 1889 to the present. The vast majority of construction in the area was completed by 1960, with most commercial construction activity after this time being in the form of renovations and a small number of infill construction projects. The buildings in the Downtown Norman Historic District reflect the commercial growth of this community, growth spurred by agricultural prosperity, proximity to transportation routes, and the University of Oklahoma.
Local significance of the district:
Commerce

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2012.

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 Cherokee Nation is headquartered in Oklahoma and is one of the largest Native American tribes in the country. The tribe has a long and complex history in Oklahoma, including the forced removal of thousands of Cherokees from their ancestral lands in the 1830s, which became known as the Trail of Tears.
Cleveland County, located in central Oklahoma, has a rich history that stretches back thousands of years. Prior to European settlement, the area was inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Caddo, Wichita, and Osage. These tribes were primarily hunter-gatherers and lived off the land, relying on the region's diverse wildlife and fertile soil.

In the early 1800s, European settlers began to arrive in the region. The United States government negotiated numerous treaties with the Native American tribes, leading to the forced removal of many tribes to the Indian Territory, now known as Oklahoma. This opened up the area for further settlement, and pioneers began to establish homesteads and small towns.

The establishment of the Land Run of 1889 played a significant role in the county's development. Thousands of people flocked to the region, aiming to claim free land as part of the government's plan to encourage settlement. The town of Norman, now the county seat, was established during this time. It quickly grew into a thriving community with schools, businesses, and institutions, including the University of Oklahoma.

Throughout the 20th century, Cleveland County experienced various economic and cultural changes. The discovery of oil in the county in the 1920s led to an economic boom, attracting new industries and residents. The University of Oklahoma flourished and became a renowned institution in the fields of academics and sports. Today, Cleveland County continues to be a vibrant and diverse community, known for its rich history, educational institutions, and strong sense of community.

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

  • 1844: Cleveland County founded as a part of Cherokee Indian territory
  • 1889: Land Run opens the region for settlement
  • 1890: Cleveland County officially organized with Norman as the county seat
  • 1902: University of Oklahoma established in Norman
  • 1931: Lake Thunderbird State Park opened for public use
  • 1952: Moore Air Base (now Tinker Air Force Base) established
  • 1999: Moore tornado, one of the deadliest tornadoes in US history, strikes Cleveland County
  • 2020: Celebrating over 130 years since the establishment of Cleveland County