Ingle Brothers Broomcorn Warehouse
320 NW 1st St., Shattuck, OKThe settlement of this area of Oklahoma was stimulated by the discovery and adoption of drought-resistant crops such as milo, maize, kaffir corn, and broomcorn. Broomcorn soon proved to be the best source of revenue and became the staple crop of the region. Broomcorn is a type of sorghum that is used for making brooms and whiskbrooms. It differs from other sorghums in that it produces heads with fibrous seed branches that may be as much as 36 inches long. The long fibrous shaft of the broomcorn plant is used for making brooms. By 1902, more than five thousand acres of broomcorn were raised in the area. By 1907, Shattuck became a large broomcorn market.
Broomcorn grew exceptionally well in Oklahoma; the state led the nation in production between 1915 and 1946. Broomcorn brush was sold to local, state, and national broom factories which purchased it directly from the farmer or from broomcorn warehouses. In response to the need for processing and storing broom corn, the Ingle Brothers entered the broomcorn business.
The Ingle Brothers owned a local livery in Fargo, Oklahoma. From here they came in contact with many of the buyers and dealers of broomcorn. Soon the Ingle's became brokers for the farmers, buying their crops for the manufacturing companies. In 1907, the Ingle Brothers became a corporation owning broomcorn facilities and granaries from Pennsylvania, Kansas, and Missouri to Oklahoma, New Mexico, and California. Before 1907, the brothers operated out of a small office in Shattuck, Oklahoma. That year they started construction of a warehouse and office space located between the railroad and First Street; making Shattuck the headquarters for their operation. This warehouse facility was constructed under the direction of L.G. Meyers, an employee of the Ingle Brothers Company.
When wheat became the dominant crop in Ellis County, as it was a higher revenue crop, the Ingle Brothers continued their broomcorn operation in Shattuck by importing it from Mexico. Over the course of time, many of the manufacturing facilities in Shattuck closed; closures being market driven.
The one constant for commerce in Shattuck was the Ingle Brothers Grain and Supply Company. The 1911 Sanborn Fire Insurance map reflects many industries along the railroad; from granaries and broomcorn warehouses to oil companies and lumber sheds. By 1926 Sanborn Fire Insurance maps industry is limited to granaries, broomcorn warehouses, and an ice house. The 1926-35 Sanborn Fire Insurance map shows only the Ingle Brothers Grain and Supply Company property which included the broomcorn warehouse; all other broomcorn facilities were non-extant. When other manufacturing industries were closing, and agriculture became the dominant industry, the Ingle Brothers Broomcorn Warehouse remained an active commercial enterprise in Shattuck. The Ingle Brothers business was so successful that the company owned five-grain elevators in addition to five large retail outlets. Eventually, the company focused on direct shipment rather than production. The facility in Shattuck is the only extant facility from not only the Ingle Brothers Company but also from the broomcorn business in Shattuck.
The Ingle Brothers Broomcorn Warehouse has a simplistic warehouse architectural design. The building was designed with two facades as it functioned with both the railroad and vehicular traffic. While no specific architectural style can be assigned to the building, it does exhibit stylistic elements; from the stepped gable ends to the deep brick arches above the gable end entries. Warehouses and industrial buildings are typically devoid of stylistic details. This building is a good local example of a utilitarian building with distinctive architectural characteristics.
The Ingle Brothers Broom corn Warehouse is the only extant historic warehouse associated with the broomcorn industry in Shattuck. It is significant for its role in commerce in Shattuck for its association with the broomcorn industry.
Local significance of the building:
Broomcorn grew exceptionally well in Oklahoma; the state led the nation in production between 1915 and 1946. Broomcorn brush was sold to local, state, and national broom factories which purchased it directly from the farmer or from broomcorn warehouses. In response to the need for processing and storing broom corn, the Ingle Brothers entered the broomcorn business.
The Ingle Brothers owned a local livery in Fargo, Oklahoma. From here they came in contact with many of the buyers and dealers of broomcorn. Soon the Ingle's became brokers for the farmers, buying their crops for the manufacturing companies. In 1907, the Ingle Brothers became a corporation owning broomcorn facilities and granaries from Pennsylvania, Kansas, and Missouri to Oklahoma, New Mexico, and California. Before 1907, the brothers operated out of a small office in Shattuck, Oklahoma. That year they started construction of a warehouse and office space located between the railroad and First Street; making Shattuck the headquarters for their operation. This warehouse facility was constructed under the direction of L.G. Meyers, an employee of the Ingle Brothers Company.
When wheat became the dominant crop in Ellis County, as it was a higher revenue crop, the Ingle Brothers continued their broomcorn operation in Shattuck by importing it from Mexico. Over the course of time, many of the manufacturing facilities in Shattuck closed; closures being market driven.
The one constant for commerce in Shattuck was the Ingle Brothers Grain and Supply Company. The 1911 Sanborn Fire Insurance map reflects many industries along the railroad; from granaries and broomcorn warehouses to oil companies and lumber sheds. By 1926 Sanborn Fire Insurance maps industry is limited to granaries, broomcorn warehouses, and an ice house. The 1926-35 Sanborn Fire Insurance map shows only the Ingle Brothers Grain and Supply Company property which included the broomcorn warehouse; all other broomcorn facilities were non-extant. When other manufacturing industries were closing, and agriculture became the dominant industry, the Ingle Brothers Broomcorn Warehouse remained an active commercial enterprise in Shattuck. The Ingle Brothers business was so successful that the company owned five-grain elevators in addition to five large retail outlets. Eventually, the company focused on direct shipment rather than production. The facility in Shattuck is the only extant facility from not only the Ingle Brothers Company but also from the broomcorn business in Shattuck.
The Ingle Brothers Broomcorn Warehouse has a simplistic warehouse architectural design. The building was designed with two facades as it functioned with both the railroad and vehicular traffic. While no specific architectural style can be assigned to the building, it does exhibit stylistic elements; from the stepped gable ends to the deep brick arches above the gable end entries. Warehouses and industrial buildings are typically devoid of stylistic details. This building is a good local example of a utilitarian building with distinctive architectural characteristics.
The Ingle Brothers Broom corn Warehouse is the only extant historic warehouse associated with the broomcorn industry in Shattuck. It is significant for its role in commerce in Shattuck for its association with the broomcorn industry.
Commerce
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2009.
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 became the 46th state in the United States on November 16, 1907, making it one of the youngest states in the country.
About Ellis County
Ellis County Timeline
Ellis County, located in Oklahoma, has a rich history that dates back to the ancient times when Native American tribes inhabited the area. The area that is now Ellis County was originally home to the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, who lived off the land and utilized the region's resources for their sustenance and cultural practices.
In the 1800s, European settlers began to venture into the area, attracted by the promise of fertile land and abundant natural resources. The Land Run of 1892 led to a surge in population as settlers sought to claim their piece of the vast open prairie. Ellis County was officially established on July 16, 1907, as part of the newly formed state of Oklahoma.
Agriculture quickly became the backbone of the county's economy, as settlers cultivated crops such as wheat, corn, and cotton. The arrival of the railroad in the early 1900s further facilitated the growth of agriculture and enabled the transportation of goods to markets outside the county. The railroad also played a crucial role in the development of small towns within Ellis County, such as Arnett and Shattuck, which served as important trading and social centers for the local population.
Over the years, Ellis County has faced its share of challenges. The Dust Bowl era of the 1930s brought severe drought and wind erosion, leading to devastating agricultural losses and widespread economic hardship. However, the resilience of the local community allowed for recovery and growth in subsequent years. Today, Ellis County remains rooted in its agricultural heritage while also embracing modern industries and businesses that contribute to its continued development.
In the 1800s, European settlers began to venture into the area, attracted by the promise of fertile land and abundant natural resources. The Land Run of 1892 led to a surge in population as settlers sought to claim their piece of the vast open prairie. Ellis County was officially established on July 16, 1907, as part of the newly formed state of Oklahoma.
Agriculture quickly became the backbone of the county's economy, as settlers cultivated crops such as wheat, corn, and cotton. The arrival of the railroad in the early 1900s further facilitated the growth of agriculture and enabled the transportation of goods to markets outside the county. The railroad also played a crucial role in the development of small towns within Ellis County, such as Arnett and Shattuck, which served as important trading and social centers for the local population.
Over the years, Ellis County has faced its share of challenges. The Dust Bowl era of the 1930s brought severe drought and wind erosion, leading to devastating agricultural losses and widespread economic hardship. However, the resilience of the local community allowed for recovery and growth in subsequent years. Today, Ellis County remains rooted in its agricultural heritage while also embracing modern industries and businesses that contribute to its continued development.
Ellis County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Ellis County, Oklahoma.
- 1850: The area that would become Ellis County is open for settlement as part of the Indian Territory.
- 1868: The Medicine Lodge Treaty is signed, opening up the area for white settlement.
- 1870: The first European settlers arrive in the area.
- 1882: Ellis County is formally established.
- 1898: The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad is built through Ellis County, leading to increased growth and development.
- 1907: Oklahoma becomes a state, and Ellis County is part of the new state.
- 1930s: The Great Depression hits Ellis County hard, causing economic hardship for many residents.
- 1940s: Ellis County experiences a population decline due to the effects of World War II, as many young men leave to serve in the military.
- 1950s-1960s: Ellis County sees a period of growth and prosperity, with the oil industry playing a significant role in the local economy.
- 1980s-1990s: The oil industry experiences a decline, leading to economic challenges for Ellis County.
- Present: Ellis County continues to be a rural area with agriculture and energy production as key industries.