National Register Listing

First National Bank Building

100 West Main, Stratford, OK
Local significance of the building:
Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2001.

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.

architecture
Oklahoma is known as the "Sooner State" because of the land runs that occurred in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. "Sooners" were people who snuck into the unassigned lands of the Oklahoma Territory before the official opening of the land runs. The term "Sooner" eventually became a nickname for people from Oklahoma.
Oklahoma random facts
Garvin County, Oklahoma has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Choctaw Nation. European settlers arrived in the early 19th century, leading to conflicts between the Native American tribes and settlers. In 1830, the Indian Removal Act was passed, which forced the relocation of Native Americans from the region, including the Choctaw Nation.

In the late 1800s, the area that is now Garvin County experienced a significant boom with the discovery of oil. Oil wells were drilled, and numerous oil companies operated in the county, bringing great wealth and economic prosperity. The population grew rapidly as people from all over flocked to the area to find work in the oil industry.

Garvin County played a vital role during World War II, with the establishment of several military training facilities in the area. Camp Maxey, located near the town of Antlers, trained soldiers before their deployment overseas. Additionally, the county had a German Prisoner of War camp, where captured German soldiers were held.

In recent years, Garvin County has focused on diversifying its economy. Agriculture, particularly the production of cattle, has become an essential industry in the county. Additionally, the county has seen growth in tourism, with attractions like the Chickasaw National Recreation Area and Lake Murray State Park attracting visitors from all over. The county also has several educational institutions, including East Central University, further contributing to its development and growth.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Garvin County, Oklahoma.

  • 1890 - Garvin County was created after being carved out of the Chickasaw Nation.
  • 1891 - The county seat was established in Pauls Valley.
  • Early 1900s - The county experienced an oil boom, attracting many settlers and boosting the local economy.
  • 1930s - The Great Depression hit Garvin County hard, leading to economic hardships for its residents.
  • 1940s - Garvin County contributed to the war effort during World War II by providing soldiers and supporting industries.
  • 1982 - The Garvin County Courthouse, a historic landmark, was destroyed by fire and later rebuilt.
  • Present - Garvin County continues to be a vibrant community, with a diverse economy and rich cultural heritage.