Old North Tower, University of Central Oklahoma

Last updated
Old North Tower
Oldnorth4.JPG
University of Central Oklahoma's Old North
USA Oklahoma location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
LocationUniversity of Central Oklahoma campus, Edmond, Oklahoma
Nearest city Edmond, Oklahoma
Coordinates 35°39′21″N97°28′25″W / 35.65583°N 97.47361°W / 35.65583; -97.47361
Built1892
ArchitectJ.G. Haskell
NRHP reference No. 71000671 [1]
Added to NRHPJune 21, 1971

Old North Tower (or Old North) is the oldest building on the University of Central Oklahoma campus in Edmond, Oklahoma, and the oldest building of higher education in the state of Oklahoma. Originally built in 1892, it was the first permanent building on the Territorial Normal School campus. [2] [3]

Contents

History

The construction of Old North, designed by J.G. Haskell began in the summer of 1892, and classes began in January 1893.

Early in Old North's history the building was deemed unsafe. In 1911, the structure was set for demolition, but instead was renovated. [4] A major milestone for Old North was when the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. [5] In 1996, President Bill Clinton gave a speech outside of Old North. [6]

Renovation

The university closed Old North in 2001 because of structural and safety issues. Old North was left dormant until funds could be raised to renovate the building. [7] The $11 million of renovations include the addition of an east wing, an amphitheater, additional maintenance space, and elevators to make the building ADA compliant. [3] The building was the centerpiece of UCO's Always Central campaign to raise $40 million; however, the renovations were scheduled to be the last portion of the campaign. [8] In 2017, the building officially reopened. [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edmond, Oklahoma</span> City in Oklahoma, United States

Edmond is a city in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, United States, and a part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area in the central part of the state. The population was 94,428 according to the 2020 United States Census, a 16% increase from 2010. making it the fifth largest city in Oklahoma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Claremore, Oklahoma</span> American city

Claremore is a city and the county seat of Rogers County in Green Country or northeastern Oklahoma, United States. The population was 19,580 at the 2020 census, a 5.4 percent increase over the figure of 18,581 recorded in 2010. Located in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, the town is home to Rogers State University. It is best known as the home of early 20th-century entertainer Will Rogers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Oklahoma</span> Public university in Norman, Oklahoma, U.S.

The University of Oklahoma (OU) is a public research university in Norman, Oklahoma, United States. Founded in 1890, it had existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two territories became the state of Oklahoma. In Fall 2022, the university had 28,840 students enrolled, most at its main campus in Norman. Employing nearly 3,000 faculty members, the university offers 152 baccalaureate programs, 160 master's programs, 75 doctorate programs, and 20 majors at the first professional level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oklahoma State University–Stillwater</span> Public university in Stillwater, Oklahoma, US

Oklahoma State University–Stillwater is a public land-grant research university in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OSU was founded in 1890 under the Morrill Act. Originally known as Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College, it is the flagship institution of the Oklahoma State University System that holds more than 35,000 students across its five campuses with an annual budget of $1.7 billion. The main campus enrollment for the fall 2019 semester was 24,071, with 20,024 undergraduates and 4,017 graduate students. OSU is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity". According to the National Science Foundation, OSU spent $198.8 million on research and development in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Central Oklahoma</span> Public university in Edmond, Oklahoma

The University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) is a public university in Edmond, Oklahoma. It is the third largest university in Oklahoma, with more than 17,000 students and approximately 434 full-time and 400 adjunct faculty. Founded in 1890, the University of Central Oklahoma was one of the first institutions of higher learning to be established in what would become the state of Oklahoma, making it one of the oldest universities in the southwest region of the United States. It is home to the American branch of the British Academy of Contemporary Music in downtown Oklahoma City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capital University</span> University in Ohio, U.S.

Capital University is a private university in Bexley, Ohio. Capital was founded as the Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Ohio in 1830, and later was associated with that synod's successor, the American Lutheran Church. The university has undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as a law school. Capital University is the oldest university in Central Ohio and is one of the oldest and largest Lutheran-affiliated universities in North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma</span> Public university in Oklahoma, United States

The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) is a public liberal arts college in Chickasha, Oklahoma. It is the only public college in Oklahoma with a strictly liberal arts–focused curriculum and is a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. USAO is an undergraduate-only institution and grants bachelor's degrees in a variety of subject areas. The school was founded in 1908 as a school for women and from 1912 to 1965 was known as Oklahoma College for Women. It became coeducational in 1965 and today educates approximately 800 students. In 2001, the entire Oklahoma College for Women campus was listed as a national historic district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Westminster College (Missouri)</span> Private college in Fulton, Missouri

Westminster College is a private college in Fulton, Missouri. It was established in 1851 as Fulton College. America's National Churchill Museum is a national historic site located on campus. The school enrolled 609 students in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Livingstone College</span> Historically black institution in North Carolina, I.S.

Livingstone College is a private historically black Christian college in Salisbury, North Carolina. It is affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Livingstone College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor's degrees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Central</span> United States historic place

Old Central, historically known as the College Building, is the oldest building on the Oklahoma State University campus in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Originally built in 1894, it was the first permanent building on the Oklahoma A&M campus. Old Central's bell clapper once served as a traveling trophy in the Bedlam Series athletics rivalry between Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma. The new "Bedlam Bell" is a crystal trophy modeled after Old Central's bell and is awarded to the winner of each individual athletics contest in addition to the overall series winner for each year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oklahoma City Community College</span> College in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.

Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) is a public community college in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The college was founded in 1972 as South Oklahoma City Junior College. OCCC has a current enrollment of 18,549 students and is the second largest community college and the fifth largest public higher education institution in Oklahoma. OCCC operates a main campus and three satellite locations in the south metro. A large percentage of OCCC students join or rejoin the local workforce each year. Their added skills translate to earnings of more than $220 million in annual additional income to Oklahoma's economy.

Chad Richison Stadium is the on-campus football facility for the Central Oklahoma Bronchos football team in Edmond, Oklahoma. The official seating capacity of the stadium, following recent renovations, is 12,000, making the 7th largest Division II stadium, and the largest in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.

Hamilton Field House is a 3,000 -seat multi-purpose on the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) in Edmond, Oklahoma, and is home to the Central Oklahoma Bronchos men's and women's basketball teams, as well as volleyball, and wrestling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cherokee Female Seminary</span> United States historic place

The Cherokee Female Seminary,, was built by the Cherokee Nation in 1889 near Tahlequah, Indian Territory. It replaced their original girls' seminary that had burned down on Easter Sunday two years before. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Main, University of Arizona</span> United States historic place

Old Main, University of Arizona, originally known as the University of Arizona, School of Agriculture building, was the first building constructed on the University of Arizona campus in Tucson, Arizona, United States. Old Main is one of the oldest surviving educational structures in the western United States. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

Layton & Forsyth was a prominent Oklahoma architectural firm that also practiced as partnership including Layton Hicks & Forsyth and Layton, Smith & Forsyth. Led by Oklahoma City architect Solomon Layton, partners included George Forsyth, S. Wemyss Smith, Jewell Hicks, and James W. Hawk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Oklahoma Bronchos</span>

The Central Oklahoma Bronchos, often referred to as Central Oklahoma, Central State or UCO, are the intercollegiate athletic teams representing University of Central Oklahoma, located in Edmond, Oklahoma. The 14 men's and women's varsity teams are called the "Bronchos", with a unique use of the letter H. The school's identification as Bronchos dates back to 1922, when the wife of football coach Charles W. Wantland suggested it for the school's mascot. The official colors of the teams are bronze and blue, which the institution adopted in 1895. The Bronchos compete in the NCAA's Division II and in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association in all sports except women's rowing, which competes in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. The Bronchos have won 22 national championships, with the most recent coming in 2023 as the wrestling program won the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships. The university's current athletic director is Stan Wagnon, who has served in the position since 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Oklahoma Bronchos football</span> College football team (University of Central Oklahoma)

The Central Oklahoma Bronchos football team represents the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) in college football. The team is a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), which is in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Bronchos football program began in 1902 and has since compiled over 600 wins, two national championships, and 27 conference championships. As of 2022, the Bronchos are ranked fifth in NCAA Division II for wins. In 1962, the Bronchos went 11–0 on the season and defeated Lenoir–Rhyne University (NC) 28–13 in the Camellia Bowl to claim its first NAIA national championship. Twenty years later, Central Oklahoma defended its home turf and defeated Colorado Mesa University 14–11 in the NAIA national championship game to take its second title and finish the season with a 10–2 record. Despite its rich history in football, Central Oklahoma has struggled beginning in the late 2000s. The program has not participated in the NCAA Division II playoffs since 2003. The Bronchos play their home games at Chad Richison Stadium, a 12,000-seat football stadium built in 1965, and remodeled in 2022. The Bronchos have enjoyed nine undefeated home seasons and are 5–1 in playoff games at Wantland Stadium.

Donna Nigh is an inductee of the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame and wife of former Oklahoma Governor George Nigh. She served as the First Lady of Oklahoma for eight years as well as the first lady of the University of Central Oklahoma. She is well known for her service to Oklahomans with special needs and worked to improve the quality of living for citizens with disabilities.

Charles William Wantland was an American athlete and coach. Wantland served as a sports coach and athletic director, and dean at Central State Teachers College in Edmond, Oklahoma.

References

  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. "UCO: History of The University of Central Oklahoma". uco.edu. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  3. 1 2 "UCO: Old North". uco.edu. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  4. "University of Central Oklahoma nears fundraising goal to reopen historic building | News OK". newsok.com. November 3, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  5. "AssetDetail". focus.nps.gov. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  6. Ross Jr., Bobby (April 6, 1996). "Enthusiastic Crowd Greets President on UCO Campus". The Oklahoman. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  7. Gollob, Beth (September 23, 2004). "UCO seeks funding to revamp Old North | News OK". newsok.com. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  8. "University of Central Oklahoma gets $500,000 gift to help restore Oklahoma's oldest higher education building | News OK". newsok.com. October 7, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  9. McNutt, Kathryn (April 13, 2017). "Building a New Life For Old North". newok.com. Retrieved November 8, 2017.