Norman Public Library

a.k.a. Senior Citizens Building

329 S. Peters Ave., Norman, OK
Local significance of the building:
Education; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2000.

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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In the early 1900s, a group of African American settlers founded the town of Boley, Oklahoma. The town became a center of Black entrepreneurship and culture, with businesses ranging from banks to newspapers to theaters. Today, Boley is a small town but continues to celebrate its rich history.
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