Science Building

The Old Science Building at Southwestern State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma is significant because it is the oldest extant structure associated with the nationwide teacher training movement as it developed in southwestern Oklahoma. The teacher training school (normal school) movement began during the 1830s as an outgrowth of the demand for free public education. During the early 1900s, a shortage of adequately trained teachers created a demand for normal schools, especially in the Western states.

In 1901, the Oklahoma Territorial legislature authorized the establishment of a normal school in southwestern Oklahoma. Custer county residents felt that because it was the only Republican county in Southwestern Oklahoma and the territorial Governor William M. Jenkins, was Republican, it should be awarded the normal school. In fact, this was the case and the normal school was placed in Weatherford in 1902 although other towns outside Custer county had lobbied for the school. The new school was an addition to a regional network of teacher training institutions which included Central State Normal School, Edmond; Northwestern State Normal School, Alva; East Central State Normal School, Ada; Southeastern State Normal School, Durant; and Northeastern State Normal School, Tahlequah.

The building program proceeded slowly at Southwestern. The first building, constructed in 1903, served as the Administration and classroom building, however, it burned in 1941. The Science Building was erected in 1909. Senate Bill No. 334 provided $100,000 for the construction of the building. The new structure actually housed sixteen departments in addition to the sciences, such as history and foreign languages. The number and size of the classrooms provided ample classroom space for 1,500 students. The building was vital to the growth of the school and therefore, to the prosperity of Weatherford. The facility attracted more students, which in turn brought more instructors. This meant more money for the local economy. One newspaper account demonstrated the importance of the Science Building to the area. When news that Governor Charles Haskell had signed the appropriations bill, Weatherford citizens built a huge bonfire, rang every bell in town, and fired skyrockets throughout the night. After completion of the science hall ten years elapsed before the next major additions to the school's physical plant. In 1920, Southwestern Normal School became a four-year college until university status was granted in 1974. The Science Building has served continuously as a classroom building, providing a sense of continuity for higher education in southwestern Oklahoma.