Thomas Community Building
120 E. Broadway, Thomas, OKThe Thomas Community Building is significant within the economic context of the Works Progress Administration project in Thomas, Oklahoma and within the architectural context of the Works Progress Administration construction locally. It is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places for its association with the work undertaken by the Works Progress Administration using local men who were qualified for work relief under specific guidelines established by the WPA. It is also eligible for its architectural significance as an excellent example of Works Progress Administration construction reflecting the goals of the building program of the WPA. The work relief provided by the WPA allowed many local people to survive the trying times of the 1930s while also stimulating the local, and therefore state and national, economies. The building is located in downtown Thomas, Oklahoma, and was built in 1939.
Economic conditions and the morale of the southwestern region of Oklahoma were in dire circumstances in 1935. Fortunately, the WPA provided timely assistance. The construction component of the WPA greatly assisted those in need in southeastern Oklahoma. It provided meaningful employment and some degree of financial security. The Thomas Community Building is significant for its association with the WPA program.
The physical, economic and cultural environment of the community of Thomas shaped the built environment. As the Thomas Community Building was part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) building program it had to be: useful in terms of the needs of the community, sponsored by a public body and project workmen had to come from persons on the relief rolls.
Both skilled and unskilled relief workers were used for the construction of the Thomas Community Building. Because of the nature of the workers, the building was simple in design and uncomplicated in construction technique. At any one time sponsors of projects had to supply from 10 to 25% of the total construction cost which meant that the building was generally modest. With a WPA appropriation of $38,681, the Thomas Community Building is vernacular in style but distinctly identifiable as WPA architecture.
The method of construction, contribution of materials, and sources of labor were standard operating procedures for the WPA throughout the nation. WPA buildings are significant as the program through which they were funded significantly reduced the economic and social distress of the national depression of the 1930s. The Thomas Community Building provides a legacy to the WPA through recognizable architecture by its type, style, scale, materials and workmanship. The Thomas Community Building is significant as an excellent local example of WPA construction in both Thomas and Custer County.
Local significance of the building:
Economic conditions and the morale of the southwestern region of Oklahoma were in dire circumstances in 1935. Fortunately, the WPA provided timely assistance. The construction component of the WPA greatly assisted those in need in southeastern Oklahoma. It provided meaningful employment and some degree of financial security. The Thomas Community Building is significant for its association with the WPA program.
The physical, economic and cultural environment of the community of Thomas shaped the built environment. As the Thomas Community Building was part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) building program it had to be: useful in terms of the needs of the community, sponsored by a public body and project workmen had to come from persons on the relief rolls.
Both skilled and unskilled relief workers were used for the construction of the Thomas Community Building. Because of the nature of the workers, the building was simple in design and uncomplicated in construction technique. At any one time sponsors of projects had to supply from 10 to 25% of the total construction cost which meant that the building was generally modest. With a WPA appropriation of $38,681, the Thomas Community Building is vernacular in style but distinctly identifiable as WPA architecture.
The method of construction, contribution of materials, and sources of labor were standard operating procedures for the WPA throughout the nation. WPA buildings are significant as the program through which they were funded significantly reduced the economic and social distress of the national depression of the 1930s. The Thomas Community Building provides a legacy to the WPA through recognizable architecture by its type, style, scale, materials and workmanship. The Thomas Community Building is significant as an excellent local example of WPA construction in both Thomas and Custer County.
Economics; Architecture; Politics/government
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2011.
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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Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher was the first Black woman to attend law school in Oklahoma. In 1946, she applied to the University of Oklahoma College of Law but was denied admission because of her race. She sued the university, and her case eventually went to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled in her favor. She went on to graduate from law school in 1951 and became a prominent civil rights attorney.
About Custer County
Custer County Timeline
Custer County, Oklahoma, has a rich and fascinating history that dates back to the early days of the American West. The area that is now Custer County was originally home to Native American tribes, including the Cheyenne and Arapaho. Europeans began to settle in the area in the late 1800s, drawn by the promise of fertile land and the opportunities offered by the expanding frontier.
The county was officially established in 1892, named in honor of General George Armstrong Custer, the controversial military figure who played a prominent role in the Indian Wars. In its early years, Custer County experienced a boom in agriculture, particularly wheat production. The introduction of railroads in the area further facilitated economic growth, as it allowed farmers to transport their goods to larger markets.
Over the years, Custer County faced its share of challenges. The Dust Bowl, a period of severe drought and soil erosion during the 1930s, devastated the region's agriculture. Many farmers were forced to abandon their land and seek employment elsewhere. The county also played a role in World War II, as the Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base was established in 1942 and served as a training facility for pilots.
In more recent years, Custer County has continued to diversify its economy. The discovery of oil and natural gas reserves in the 1950s brought economic prosperity and new opportunities for the county. Today, Custer County thrives on a combination of agriculture, energy production, and a growing tourism industry. The county is known for its natural beauty, with the picturesque Red Rock Canyon and the Washita Battlefield National Historic Site being popular attractions for visitors.
The county was officially established in 1892, named in honor of General George Armstrong Custer, the controversial military figure who played a prominent role in the Indian Wars. In its early years, Custer County experienced a boom in agriculture, particularly wheat production. The introduction of railroads in the area further facilitated economic growth, as it allowed farmers to transport their goods to larger markets.
Over the years, Custer County faced its share of challenges. The Dust Bowl, a period of severe drought and soil erosion during the 1930s, devastated the region's agriculture. Many farmers were forced to abandon their land and seek employment elsewhere. The county also played a role in World War II, as the Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base was established in 1942 and served as a training facility for pilots.
In more recent years, Custer County has continued to diversify its economy. The discovery of oil and natural gas reserves in the 1950s brought economic prosperity and new opportunities for the county. Today, Custer County thrives on a combination of agriculture, energy production, and a growing tourism industry. The county is known for its natural beauty, with the picturesque Red Rock Canyon and the Washita Battlefield National Historic Site being popular attractions for visitors.
Custer County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Custer County, Oklahoma.
- 1892 - Custer County is established.
- 1897 - The town of Arapaho is incorporated.
- 1901 - The town of Clinton is incorporated.
- 1916 - The Battle of Turkey Springs takes place in the county during the Mexican Border War.
- 1954 - The Foss Dam is completed, providing irrigation and flood control for the area.
- 1983 - The National Route 66 Museum is opened in Clinton.
- 1992 - Clinton becomes the county seat of Custer County.
- 2007 - The Stafford Air & Space Museum expands and reopens in Weatherford.