Moore-Lindsay House

a.k.a. Norman and Cleveland County Historical Museum

508 N. Peters, Norman, OK
The Moore-Lindsay house, built in 1899, is architecturally significant because it is the best surviving example of the vernacular Queen Anne style in a residential use in the city of Norman.

William S. Moore and his wife Agnes Phelps Moore, moved to Norman in 1895. Moore was a real estate investor and by 1899 was president of the Norman Building and Loan Association.

His business success in Norman made it possible for him in Norman's first affluent neighborhood. So many expensive and high style houses were built in this area bounded by Peters, Crawford and Jones Avenues and Jones Street that it became known as "Silk Stocking Row" by local citizens.

The Moore-Lindsay house was the first to be built in this exclusive neighborhood, and is the most architecturally significant and the least altered of the ten remaining structures from the 1899-1910 period. During the construction of this house the local newspaper, the Democrat-Topic printed regular stories on the progress of its construction. The house is also highlighted in a 1903 publication, "Norman, Oklahoma: Particulars, Publishers, Plat.", a publication promoting Norman featuring a photograph of this house. It is listed as being owned by "capitalist" W.S. Moore.

In November, 1908 Moore sold the house to Harry Lindsay, President of the Norman Milling and Grain Company. Lindsay also owned the Lindsay Elevator and Coal Company and a lumber year in Norman Lindsay had been a resident of Norman since 1896, had served as city treasurer. Lindsay served several terms on the Norman City Council and School Board both before and after his purchasing of the house. Though Harry Lindsay died in 1930, the Moore-Lindsay house was retained by his family until 1963. The house was obtained by the City of Norman in 1973 and has been restored as a museum interpreting the territorial and early statehood development of Norman.

The Moore-Lindsay house is the best remaining example of vernacular Queen Anne residential architecture in the city of Norman. It exhibits the typical identifying features of a steeply pitched, irregular cross-gabled roof plan with front engaged tower. Its wrap around porch features decorative dentil work, ornamental posts and balusters, topped with a shaped rail. The restoration of the house by the city of Norman has retained the many decorative details in both the exterior and interior elements of the house.

The Moore-Lindsay house, due its historical association with these two successful and influential business and because of its style of construction reflect that affluency during that period of development of the City of Norman, this house is locally significant.
Local significance of the building:
Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

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.

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Oklahoma is home to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, which celebrates the history and culture of the American West. The museum features exhibits on cowboy life, Native American culture, and the art of the American West.
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 condensed summary of the historical journey 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