First United Methodist Church
202 E. Oklahoma, Walters, OKThe building is significant because:(1) It is the only building in Cotton County with major elements of the Romanesque Revival architecture combined with a large central dome (2) It is the best example of this architecture and design in Southwestern Oklahoma.
The congregation was formed in 1902, five years before statehood, and built the first wood frame church building on the site in 1905 for a cost of $1,620.00. The nominated property was built on this site under the guidance of Rev. B.M. Nelson in 1917 for a cost of $15,000.00 and donated labor by the congregation. One other Methodist church with this design is known in Southwest Oklahoma, but that building in Tipton, is in poor condition and smaller in scale. One unique feature other than the architecture is that the building is made of hand-made bricks using a local clay and church members' labor.
The building has the monochromatic brick walls with special emphasis on the monumental semi-circular arches over the windows. The pronounced archivolt or rowlock arches over the stained glass windows are further emphasized with large overhanging gable roofs. Although the building has no polygonal towers, the octagonal central dome gives a strong hint of the Romanesque Revival style. The building is in the central downtown area of the county seat and is well known and admired by the local townspeople as a landmark.
Local significance of the building:
The congregation was formed in 1902, five years before statehood, and built the first wood frame church building on the site in 1905 for a cost of $1,620.00. The nominated property was built on this site under the guidance of Rev. B.M. Nelson in 1917 for a cost of $15,000.00 and donated labor by the congregation. One other Methodist church with this design is known in Southwest Oklahoma, but that building in Tipton, is in poor condition and smaller in scale. One unique feature other than the architecture is that the building is made of hand-made bricks using a local clay and church members' labor.
The building has the monochromatic brick walls with special emphasis on the monumental semi-circular arches over the windows. The pronounced archivolt or rowlock arches over the stained glass windows are further emphasized with large overhanging gable roofs. Although the building has no polygonal towers, the octagonal central dome gives a strong hint of the Romanesque Revival style. The building is in the central downtown area of the county seat and is well known and admired by the local townspeople as a landmark.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
About National Register Listings
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 largest ancient meteorite impact site in the United States. The impact crater, which is located in northeastern Oklahoma, is estimated to be about 300 million years old.
About Cotton County
Cotton County Timeline
Cotton County, Oklahoma, located in the southern part of the state, has a rich history that dates back centuries. Before European settlement, the land was inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Kiowa and Comanche. These tribes relied on the vast prairies and fertile soil for hunting and agriculture.
In the 19th century, the area that is now Cotton County was part of the Indian Territory. After the Civil War, the region experienced significant growth as settlers arrived, attracted by the promise of cheap land and opportunities for farming. The area saw the establishment of small communities and towns, including Randlett, Walters, and Temple.
Cotton County got its name from the cotton industry, which became a major economic force in the area during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Cotton production boomed, and the county quickly became one of the leading cotton-producing regions in Oklahoma.
The early 20th century brought both prosperity and challenges to the county. The discovery of oil in nearby Stephens County in 1918 brought an economic boom to the region, but also led to environmental and social changes. The Great Depression hit the county hard, as it did the rest of the country, but resilience and hard work allowed the county to recover in the following years. Today, Cotton County remains an agricultural hub, with farming and ranching continuing to be vital to its economy.
In the 19th century, the area that is now Cotton County was part of the Indian Territory. After the Civil War, the region experienced significant growth as settlers arrived, attracted by the promise of cheap land and opportunities for farming. The area saw the establishment of small communities and towns, including Randlett, Walters, and Temple.
Cotton County got its name from the cotton industry, which became a major economic force in the area during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Cotton production boomed, and the county quickly became one of the leading cotton-producing regions in Oklahoma.
The early 20th century brought both prosperity and challenges to the county. The discovery of oil in nearby Stephens County in 1918 brought an economic boom to the region, but also led to environmental and social changes. The Great Depression hit the county hard, as it did the rest of the country, but resilience and hard work allowed the county to recover in the following years. Today, Cotton County remains an agricultural hub, with farming and ranching continuing to be vital to its economy.
Cotton County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Cotton County, Oklahoma.
- 1901 - Cotton County is established on November 16
- 1902 - The county government is organized and Temple is designated as the county seat
- 1903 - The Missouri, Oklahoma and Gulf Railway extends through the county
- 1904 - The town of Walters is incorporated, becoming the second largest town in the county
- 1910 - Cotton County's population reaches over 12,000
- 1913 - The town of Randlett is established
- 1925 - Electricity is introduced to Cotton County
- 1935 - The Civilian Conservation Corps establishes a work camp in the county
- 1941 - The Oklahoma Ordnance Works is built near Cotton County during World War II
- 1953 - The town of Devol is incorporated
- 1976 - The Cotton County Courthouse is added to the National Register of Historic Places
- 1986 - The Chisholm Trail Anniversary Celebration is held in Cotton County
- 1990 - The county's population declines to around 7,500
- 2007 - The town of Temple celebrates its centennial