1889 TERRITORIAL SCHOOL / 124 E. 2nd / PO BOX 4101 / EDMOND, OKLAHOMA 73083 / 405-715-1889
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1 9 0 0
T E R R I T O R I A L
H O M E
T E R R I T O R I A L
H O M E
Isaac Wesley Rodkey was born in
Maryland, the son of a farmer, in
1864. His family was originally from
Germany, immigrating to America
in the early 1700's. In 1881, Isaac
moved to McPherson, Kansas,
to learn the flouring mill business.
Here Isaac met Alice Kate (known
as Catherine) Rank, in 1888.
In 1894 the Rodkey family, which
included two young children, moved
to Oklahoma City where he became a
partner in Acme Mill. Three years later
the Rodkeys moved to Edmond and
Isaac and his new partner, George
Farrar, purchased the Gallihue-Martin
Mill, renaming it Eagle Flouring Mill.
The Rodkey family now had three
children, Bess and her younger
brothers Earl and Don. The family had
been living in a rental house but soon
moved into a fine new home. Built in
1900, it was on a corner lot facing
Normal Avenue, later named
Campbell Street. Rodkey's partner,
George Farrar, built a home directly
behind the Rodkeys across the alley.
Maryland, the son of a farmer, in
1864. His family was originally from
Germany, immigrating to America
in the early 1700's. In 1881, Isaac
moved to McPherson, Kansas,
to learn the flouring mill business.
Here Isaac met Alice Kate (known
as Catherine) Rank, in 1888.
In 1894 the Rodkey family, which
included two young children, moved
to Oklahoma City where he became a
partner in Acme Mill. Three years later
the Rodkeys moved to Edmond and
Isaac and his new partner, George
Farrar, purchased the Gallihue-Martin
Mill, renaming it Eagle Flouring Mill.
The Rodkey family now had three
children, Bess and her younger
brothers Earl and Don. The family had
been living in a rental house but soon
moved into a fine new home. Built in
1900, it was on a corner lot facing
Normal Avenue, later named
Campbell Street. Rodkey's partner,
George Farrar, built a home directly
behind the Rodkeys across the alley.
Catherine quickly became active in Edmond social and
cultural life as well as Methodist Church activities. Early
newspaper articles attest to her skill and talent as a
hostess for these various groups. She was the founder
of the Edmond Gardening Club which became active in
landscaping Edmond's first city park, North Park. The later
named Mitch Park was directly across the street from the
Rodkey home and for many years was filled with flowers
and trees and shaded paths as well as a grand fountain.
Today it is the site of the downtown US Post Office.
cultural life as well as Methodist Church activities. Early
newspaper articles attest to her skill and talent as a
hostess for these various groups. She was the founder
of the Edmond Gardening Club which became active in
landscaping Edmond's first city park, North Park. The later
named Mitch Park was directly across the street from the
Rodkey home and for many years was filled with flowers
and trees and shaded paths as well as a grand fountain.
Today it is the site of the downtown US Post Office.
In 1911, Rodkey bought out Farrar, and sold one-
half interest in the mill to his eldest son, Earl. The
flouring mill was closed in 1972. In 1922, Issac
purchased a large brick home on Jackson Street
and sold the Campbell home to his youngest son,
Don, who lived there with his wife until 1960. The
home went through a series of ownerships until
an Edmond businessman donated it to the City of
Edmond.
The city relocated the home to Stephenson Park
in 2007. The park, originally named South Park, is
the home of two Works Progress Administration
(WPA) buildings. The old National Guard Armory
and American Legion Hut are both listed on the
National Register of Historic Places and
Stephenson Park is listed on the Oklahoma
Landmarks Inventory.
The house is not currently open to the public but
future plans could include restoration by the
Edmond Historic Preservation Trust, the group
responsible for restoring the 1889 Territorial School.
half interest in the mill to his eldest son, Earl. The
flouring mill was closed in 1972. In 1922, Issac
purchased a large brick home on Jackson Street
and sold the Campbell home to his youngest son,
Don, who lived there with his wife until 1960. The
home went through a series of ownerships until
an Edmond businessman donated it to the City of
Edmond.
The city relocated the home to Stephenson Park
in 2007. The park, originally named South Park, is
the home of two Works Progress Administration
(WPA) buildings. The old National Guard Armory
and American Legion Hut are both listed on the
National Register of Historic Places and
Stephenson Park is listed on the Oklahoma
Landmarks Inventory.
The house is not currently open to the public but
future plans could include restoration by the
Edmond Historic Preservation Trust, the group
responsible for restoring the 1889 Territorial School.
Isaac & Catherine Rodkey & children
House moving day, 2007
Restored gable
Interior view of home
Restored house
exterior
exterior