January 2007 Volume XIII No
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PRESERVATION OKLAHOMA NEWS January 2007 Volume XIII No. 2 Stag Bar, Ardmore Masonic Lodge, Tonkawa Grants Awarded to 2006 Endangered Places The Water Tower in Boley, the Masonic Lodge assessments, engineering studies, and/or fund in Tonkawa and Stag Bar in Ardmore were raising plans. It is our hope this planning chosen as participants for the “2006 Most grant will serve as a catalyst to help move Endangered Places Grant” pilot program. these three projects forward through the use of qualified professionals and good Recognizing that all successful preservation preservation practices. projects begin with a solid plan, this grant program is designed to offer planning Preservation Oklahoma is honored to offer assistance only. Typical uses for these this special grant opportunity through the funds might include architectural planning generosity of the Kirkpatrick Family Fund. documents, feasibility studies, conditions Water Tower, Boley PRESERVATION OKLAHOMA NEWS, January 2007 A joint project of the State Historic Preservation Office and Preservation Oklahoma BancFirst Announces $10,000 Commitment for Historic Preservation through Grant Program October 26, 2006 -- BancFirst announced Communities eligible include: preservation in Oklahoma, and strengthen today a $10,000 commitment to Ardmore, Tahlequah, Lawton/Ft. local communities through preservation Preservation Oklahoma to launch the Sill, Hugo, Norman, Weatherford, efforts,” said David Rainbolt, BancFirst’s PlanFirst Grant Program. This pilot project Stratford, Tishomingo, Blackwell, Chief Executive Officer. underscores the bank’s continued loyalty Hennessey, Kingfisher, Hobart, Lone and commitment to helping Oklahoma’s Wolf, Davenport, Meeker, Prague, “We are honored to be a partner in this communities grow and prosper. Stroud, Guthrie, Marietta, Thackerville, new initiative,” said Heather Seifert, Kingston, Madill, Sulphur, Muskogee, Executive Director of Preservation Recognizing the importance of the initial Del City, Edmond, Harrah, Stillwater, Oklahoma. “I believe this grant program planning phase, this grant program McAlester, Konawa, McLoud, Shawnee, can make a difference in preserving will focus on planning initiatives Tecumseh, Seminole, Duncan, Marlow, Oklahoma’s historic resources.” only. Examples of eligible projects Chattanooga, Frederick, Broken Arrow, could include architectural planning Glenpool, Jenks, Sand Springs and BancFirst is Oklahoma’s largest state- documents, condition assessments Coweta. Oklahoma City and Tulsa are chartered bank with more than 100 service and/or fund raising plans. All funds not eligible for this program at this time. locations in 45 Oklahoma communities. from this grant program will be used to support preservation projects in “BancFirst’s partnership with Preservation For more information or to receive a grant communities served by BancFirst. Oklahoma seeks to increase public application, contact Heather Seifert at awareness of the importance of historic (405) 525-5325 or [email protected]. Pearl Show III a Success If you would like to receive email notices regarding preservation related grants, workshops and upcoming events, please forward your email address to: [email protected] Renate Wiggins, Annie Bohanon and Susan Devening Preservation Oklahoma News, the newsletter of Oklahoma’s historic preservation community, is published quarterly as a joint project of Preservation Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. On November 9, Fox Lane and Co-Editor Heather Seifert Co-Editor Melvena Heisch Executive Director Deputy State Historic Preservation Oklahoma co-sponsored a Preservation Oklahoma, Inc. Preservation Officer Pearl Show and Sale at the Overholser Overholser Mansion Oklahoma Historical Society 405 Northwest Fifteenth Street 405/522-4484 Carriage House. A portion of the day’s Oklahoma City, OK 73103 www.okhistory.org/shpo/shpom.htm sales was donated to the Overholser 405/525-5325 Mansion. From strands of freshwater www.preserveok.org All correspondence, materials, or address changes should be sent to: pearls, to fabulous Tahitian and South Preservation Oklahoma, Inc. Seas pearls, customers browsed through Preservation Oklahoma Board of Directors 405 Northwest Fifteenth Street a variety of pearl necklaces, bracelets Oklahoma City, OK 73103 President Dr. John Feaver, PhD. Chickasha [email protected] and earrings imported directly from Past President Bill Gumerson, Oklahoma City Secretary Jeanette Elliott, Oklahoma City The activity that is the subject of this publication has been financed in part with China, Japan and the South Seas. federal funds from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. How- Treasurer Suzette Hatfield, Oklahoma City ever, the contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policites of the Department of the Interior, nor does the mention of trade names or com- Cathy Ambler, Tulsa merical products constitute endorsement or recommendations by the Department Thanks to the generosity of Fox Lane: of the Interior. This program receives financial assistance for identification and Bret Carter, Ponca City protection of historic properties. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1972, Buz and Judy Goodrich, and Cecilia Blake Hoenig, Oklahoma City the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of Konrad Keesee, Oklahoma City race, color, national origin, or handicap in its federally assisted program. If you and Rick Lane, over $2100 was raised believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility as Julie Miner, Tulsa described above, or if you desire further information, please write to: for the Overholser Mansion. A special John Snyder, Tulsa Barrett Williamson, Norman Office of Equal Opportunity thank you to Annie Bohanon who helped U.S. Department of the Interior host the event. Connie Yellowman, El Reno Washington, D.C. 20240 2 PRESERVATION OKLAHOMA NEWS, January 2007 Buildings Golf Courses by… Perry Maxwell -Jim Gabbert, Architectural Historian Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office Born in Kentucky was devastated. After laying her to rest in 1879, Perry Duke atop a ridge overlooking the golf course Maxwell and his new that she helped inspire, Maxwell retired wife, Ray Woods from banking and toured the world. While Maxwell, moved in Europe, Maxwell met some of golf’s for health reasons biggest names and studied some of golf’s 5to Ardmore, Indian legendary courses. Upon his return to Territory, in 1904. A banker by trade Ardmore, he decided that golf course and a stockman by avocation, Maxwell design would become his life’s work. established himself as a pillar of Ardmore society. He was the head cashier at the The results were astonishing. Beginning Ardmore National Bank where he formed with an expansion of his beloved Dornick a close friendship with bank president Hills in 1924, Maxwell quietly established Lee Cruce. Maxwell owned a tract of himself as the best American-born designer land north of town that he called Primrose of the first half of the 20th Century. Farm, where he and his brother-in-law raised a small dairy herd. Perry Maxwell was an innovator. He Perry Maxwell Photo credit: SHPO helped develop a Bermuda grass strain Maxwell was introduced to the game of that would withstand the Oklahoma golf by his wife through an article in a Nationally, he teamed with Scottish summer. Dornick Hills had grass greens magazine. His interest was bolstered by a legend Dr. Alester MacKenzie, designer in 1924; they are reputed to be the first trip to Scotland, the land of his father, of Augusta National, to create Crystal in Oklahoma. Being able to grow grass where he saw firsthand the legendary Downs in Michigan and the university greens led to the creation of Maxwell’s Scottish links. Inspired upon his return to courses at Ohio State and the University of trademark rolling putting surfaces. Ardmore, in 1909 Maxwell constructed Michigan. Said MacKenzie of Maxwell, 4 golf holes on a corner of his Primrose “Mr. Maxwell speaks of my ability to Maxwell Rolls, as they have become Farm. A diligent, if not particularly make a good fairway or develop a good known, are a part of his overall design successful golfer, Maxwell became green, but I wish to tell you that in the philosophy. “Par is best defended at the increasingly enamored of the game. laying out of a golf course and to give it green.” Bold contours tested the skills everything that the science and art of golf of every golfer and placed a premium In 1909, the new state was not devoid of demands, Mr. Maxwell is not second to on accurate shot-making. Over the golf courses. Oklahoma City, Guthrie, anyone I know.” years, these rolling greens have become Tulsa, and Muskogee all boasted golf legendary. Designed for Bermuda, those courses prior to statehood, let alone So highly regarded was Maxwell by those replaced with faster bent grasses have the laying out of Maxwell’s 4 holes. in the know that after Mackenzie’s death, become even more treacherous. Undoubtedly, there were other primitive Bobby Jones himself called on Maxwell courses located in pastures across the land. to redesign a number of holes and greens Maxwell’s overall philosophy was to let Golf was a popular pastime. at his Augusta course prior to his new nature dictate the course. This philosophy tournament, the Masters. Maxwell was arose both out of his love for Scottish In 1913, a subscription campaign was also asked to “improve” such storied and English links