National Register Listing

Moore Public School Building

a.k.a. Central Elementary 4-6

NW First and Broadway, Moore, OK
The Moore Public School Building is significant because it is the oldest surviving educational building facility in Moore. Erected in 1928 this building was Moore's first and only school building until 1958. The building served not only as an educational facility, but also as a community building for the various activities occurring in a small town such as Moore. The building initially occurring in a small town such as Moore., The building initially housed all twelve grades, later it became an elementary school and now serves as the administrating building and houses an alumni association museum.
Local significance of the building:
Education; Social History

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

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.

education
Audiobooks about the history of Oklahoma.
The state capital of Oklahoma is Oklahoma City, which was settled in 1889 during the Land Run of 1889, when settlers rushed to stake their claim on land that had previously been reserved for Native American tribes.
Oklahoma random facts
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