1889 TERRITORIAL SCHOOL / 124 E. 2nd / PO BOX 4101 / EDMOND, OKLAHOMA 73083 / 405-715-1889
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E D M O N D
L A N D M A R K S
L A N D M A R K S
First the railroad came laying down ribbons
of steel across Oklahoma's Unassigned
lands in 1887, Edmond Station being one
of many coaling and watering stops on
this Santa Fe line. The first permanent
residents were John Steen, who worked
for the railroad, his wife Cordelia and two
year old son, Charlie.
Edmond had a slow start on this famous
day of April 22, 1889. By early afternoon
over 20 passenger trains, loaded with
people looking for free land and a new life,
made stops at Edmond Station during
the day. Many were looking for town lots
and by nightfall the village was beginning
to grow.
Broad Street became the major street in
town. It was much wider than any other
streets, mainly to accommodate horse
drawn wagons loaded with goods for the
new village. By 1890 the street became
known as Broadway with a wide variety
of shops and businesses in a two block
area from 2nd Street north to Main.
of steel across Oklahoma's Unassigned
lands in 1887, Edmond Station being one
of many coaling and watering stops on
this Santa Fe line. The first permanent
residents were John Steen, who worked
for the railroad, his wife Cordelia and two
year old son, Charlie.
Edmond had a slow start on this famous
day of April 22, 1889. By early afternoon
over 20 passenger trains, loaded with
people looking for free land and a new life,
made stops at Edmond Station during
the day. Many were looking for town lots
and by nightfall the village was beginning
to grow.
Broad Street became the major street in
town. It was much wider than any other
streets, mainly to accommodate horse
drawn wagons loaded with goods for the
new village. By 1890 the street became
known as Broadway with a wide variety
of shops and businesses in a two block
area from 2nd Street north to Main.
As Edmond grew, business came
and went; buildings were replaced
or remodeled. Today, two major
Territorial bank buildings are still
present on Broadway. The oldest
is Peoples' Bank, built in 1893, no
longer a bank, and across the
street, Citizens' State Bank, built in
1894, which still has a downtown
presence.
and went; buildings were replaced
or remodeled. Today, two major
Territorial bank buildings are still
present on Broadway. The oldest
is Peoples' Bank, built in 1893, no
longer a bank, and across the
street, Citizens' State Bank, built in
1894, which still has a downtown
presence.
In 1951 Edmond Boy Scouts began raising money to
purchase a small replica of the Statue of Liberty to be
placed in the median of 2nd and Boulevard. Nearly 60
years later, after a couple of repairs and two moves, the
statue again graces one of the busiest intersections
in town.
The Edmond Historic Preservation Trust was created in
1982, its mission to Preserve, Protect, and Promote
Edmond's Heritage, Landmarks, & Sites. One of the first
projects was in 1984, a monument to Milton "Kickingbird"
Reynolds, civic leader and founder of The Edmond Sun.
By 1993 the Trust began recognizing many of the early-day
downtown businesses and their locations with a small plaque
attached to the front of each building. All total in a two block
area there are 38 plaques. Today, a walk of these two blocks
brings history alive with names of stores of a by-gone era.
Hayes Clothing in 1915 sold "All Wool Overcoats for Men"
at 109 South Broadway. Across the street at 114 South
Broadway, Paas Hardware and Funeral Home sold windmills,
tinware and cooking utensils.
In 1891 John H. Snyder opened a grain elevator and mill west
of Broadway. In 1904 it was sold and became Farmers Grain
Company and has been operated by the same family since
1924. G.H. Fink, in 1916, constructed a brick building at 115
South Broadway which became The Penny Cash Store and
advertised "Strictly Cash for Groceries."
Today Broadway is still alive with businesses. Citizens'
National Bank moved across the street in a newer building.
There are two newspapers and antique stores that have
replaced the grocery and hardware stores of yesteryear.
The Edmond Visual Arts Commission, along with business
owners and private citizens, have assembled a collection of
life-size bronze statues and historic wall murals in downtown
Edmond such as the Rodkey Mill sign near the railroad track.
A major highway once passed through Edmond. Historic
Route 66 is no longer considered a major cross county
highway, however, today tourists, seeking a much slower
pace of life and a little nostalgia, often are seen traveling this
Old Mother Road through Edmond.
A statue of seven-time Olympic medalist, Shannon Miller
graces Shannon Miller Park. A short distance away, a
plaque honors pioneer land developer, Anton Classen.
Tragedy struck Edmond on the morning of August 20, 1986,
when a postal worker went on a rampage killing 14 co-workers
and wounding six. The incident was the inspiration for the
inclusion of the term "Going postal" into the American lexicon.
In 1989, a statue of a man and woman holding a gold ribbon
was dedicated at the Post Office.
Edmond is not without its Territorial legend. In 2007 a statue
was unveiled in Farmers Market Place Plaza, near the railroad
tracks. It has been said that a woman, jumping from the
cowcatcher of a slow moving train, staked her claim, and then
jumped back on the last car. The woman's name was Nannitta
R.H. "Kentucky" Daisey and the date was April 22,1889.
purchase a small replica of the Statue of Liberty to be
placed in the median of 2nd and Boulevard. Nearly 60
years later, after a couple of repairs and two moves, the
statue again graces one of the busiest intersections
in town.
The Edmond Historic Preservation Trust was created in
1982, its mission to Preserve, Protect, and Promote
Edmond's Heritage, Landmarks, & Sites. One of the first
projects was in 1984, a monument to Milton "Kickingbird"
Reynolds, civic leader and founder of The Edmond Sun.
By 1993 the Trust began recognizing many of the early-day
downtown businesses and their locations with a small plaque
attached to the front of each building. All total in a two block
area there are 38 plaques. Today, a walk of these two blocks
brings history alive with names of stores of a by-gone era.
Hayes Clothing in 1915 sold "All Wool Overcoats for Men"
at 109 South Broadway. Across the street at 114 South
Broadway, Paas Hardware and Funeral Home sold windmills,
tinware and cooking utensils.
In 1891 John H. Snyder opened a grain elevator and mill west
of Broadway. In 1904 it was sold and became Farmers Grain
Company and has been operated by the same family since
1924. G.H. Fink, in 1916, constructed a brick building at 115
South Broadway which became The Penny Cash Store and
advertised "Strictly Cash for Groceries."
Today Broadway is still alive with businesses. Citizens'
National Bank moved across the street in a newer building.
There are two newspapers and antique stores that have
replaced the grocery and hardware stores of yesteryear.
The Edmond Visual Arts Commission, along with business
owners and private citizens, have assembled a collection of
life-size bronze statues and historic wall murals in downtown
Edmond such as the Rodkey Mill sign near the railroad track.
A major highway once passed through Edmond. Historic
Route 66 is no longer considered a major cross county
highway, however, today tourists, seeking a much slower
pace of life and a little nostalgia, often are seen traveling this
Old Mother Road through Edmond.
A statue of seven-time Olympic medalist, Shannon Miller
graces Shannon Miller Park. A short distance away, a
plaque honors pioneer land developer, Anton Classen.
Tragedy struck Edmond on the morning of August 20, 1986,
when a postal worker went on a rampage killing 14 co-workers
and wounding six. The incident was the inspiration for the
inclusion of the term "Going postal" into the American lexicon.
In 1989, a statue of a man and woman holding a gold ribbon
was dedicated at the Post Office.
Edmond is not without its Territorial legend. In 2007 a statue
was unveiled in Farmers Market Place Plaza, near the railroad
tracks. It has been said that a woman, jumping from the
cowcatcher of a slow moving train, staked her claim, and then
jumped back on the last car. The woman's name was Nannitta
R.H. "Kentucky" Daisey and the date was April 22,1889.
Peoples' Bank plaque
Citizens' State Bank built in 1901
Milton "KIckingbird" Reynolds
plaque
plaque
Rodkey Mill mural
Replica of
Statue
of Liberty
Statue
of Liberty
| Historic Route 66 |
Downtown
art sculpture
art sculpture
