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Historical Sites
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Alpha Chi Omega Sorority House
- Location:
- 103 West Boyd
- Description:
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Constructed in 1925 for the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, Casa Blanca is one of the best examples of Spanish mission revival style architecture in Norman. The house features two wings, set at right angles, with the entry inset into the junction. A stepped parapet caps the entry pavilion. Paired, round arch windows set in round arch recesses mark the second floor and single and double windows of the same configuration highlight the first floor of this stucco building.
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Bavinger House
- Location:
- 730 60th Ave. NE
- Description:
- Considered to be the crown jewel of architect Bruce Goff's many works. Also the "most significant" of his designs and the master work of Eugene Bavinger, the house has been awarded the 25-year award by the American Institute of Architects, is listed on the National Historic Register, and was voted one of the top fifteen structures in the US by MSNBC.
The "Birthplace of Sustainable Movement in Modern Architecture" is presently closed to the public due to storm damage sustained to the house.
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Beta Theta Pi Fraternity House
- Location:
- 800 S. Chautauqua Avenue
- Description:
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Designed by noted local architect Harold Gimeno, the Beta Theta Pi house is an outstanding example of the Italian renaissance revival style. Completed in 1929, the dressed limestone walls of the house are interrupted by steel casement windows set regularly on three levels. The first floor windows feature round arch panels inset above the lintels. Recessed panels between the windows on the 2nd and 3rd floors feature bas relief cartouches and swags. A full-height portico with Tuscan columns dominates the facade.
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Bizzell Memorial Library
- Location:
- 401 West Brooks Street
- Phone:
- 405-325-3341
- Description:
- Completed in 1929, Bizzell Library is an elaborate Collegiate Gothic Building and is a National Historical Landmark of the Untied States. It is nationally significant for its association with the racial desegregation court case of George McLaurin, a black man who was at first denied admission to the University of Oklahoma?s law school solely on the basis of race, in which the Supreme Court ruled against the segregation. This was a precedent for the more famous Brown v. Board of Education case later.
There are four special collections housed in Bizzell - Bass Business Collection, Bizzell Bible Collection, Nichols Collection, History of Science Collection, and Western History Collection.
The Bizzell Memorial Library is located in the middle of campus. Look for the seventy-five foot clock tower. This is directly west of the main entrance to the library. The original gothic entrance to the Bizzell Memorial Library is on the south of the building, allowing for a more scenic entrance to the original 1928 building. The west entrance is handicap-accessible.
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Boyd House
- Location:
- S. University Blvd. and W. Boyd Street
- Description:
- The most recognizable Norman residence is the Boyd House, also known as the President's House and the ?OU White House?. It is the official residence of the president of the University of Oklahoma. In 1976, the Department of the Interior added it to the National Register of Historic Places, citing the building's "great contribution to the growth and development of Oklahoma."
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Chautauqua Historic District
- Location:
- West Boyd St. and Chautauqua Ave.
- Description:
- The Chautauqua (and Miller) Historic Districts are made up of approximately 150 historical homes each built between 1910 and 1938, with the majority of the development occurring in the 1920's. The architecture and environment of the Chautauqua District represents a unique time period in Norman's history. Stately residences reflect the character of the university deans, faculty, and other prominent individuals who assisted in the development of the City. The Chautauqua District is roughly bounded by Symmes Street on the north, Brooks Street on the south, Chautauqua Avenue on the east and Lahoma Avenue on the west.
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Downtown Norman
- Location:
- East Main St. and Jones Ave.
- Phone:
- 405-366-8095
- Description:
- Downtown Norman provides you with a historical walk through a beautifully landscaped and paved Legacy Trail, with sculptures and historical points of interest. Along the way, marvel at the stunning bronze sculptures - most created by Norman's local foundry, the Crucible. View a nine-foot statue of James Garner, an enormously detailed replica of the University of Oklahoma in 1942 and the historic clock tower. The trail runs parallel to the tracks in the downtown area.
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History of Science Collection
- Location:
- 401 West Brooks Street
- Phone:
- (405) 325-2741
- Description:
- Located within the Bizzell Library, this collection contains some of the original works by Galileo and the first book on agriculture in Europe printed with moveable type dating back to 1467. Some of the 90,000 plus volumes and most valuable books are kept in a temperature-controlled vault that can be viewed by an appointment.
The Bizzell Memorial Library is located in the middle of campus. Look for the seventy-five foot clock tower. This is directly west of the main entrance to the library. The original gothic entrance to the Bizzell Memorial Library is on the south of the building, allowing for a more scenic entrance to the original 1928 building. The west entrance is handicap-accessible.
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Ledbetter House
- Location:
- 701 West Brooks
- Description:
- While not accessible, feel free to drive by a second Bruce Goff designed house in Norman. (The other being the Bavinger House.) The Ledbetter House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Legacy Trail
- Location:
- 200 S. Jones Ave.
- Phone:
- 405-366-5472
- Description:
- Take a historical walk through a beautifully landscaped and paved trail with sculptures and historical points of interest. Along the way you'll marvel at the stunning bronze sculptures, the majority created by Norman's local foundry, the Crucible. View a nine-foot statue of James Garner and see an enormously detailed replica of the University of Oklahoma in 1942. The newest addition to the trail is the historic clock tower.
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Miller Historic District
- Location:
- East Alameda Street and Classen Blvd.
- Description:
- The Miller (and Chautauqua) Historic Districts are made up of approximately 150 historical homes each built between 1910 and 1938, with the majority of the development occurring in the 1920's. The Miller Historic District is predominately a residential area and significant for the role it played in the urban development of Norman, and for its excellent collection of eclectic residential architecture built between 1910 and 1938. The Bungalow, a nationally popular subtype of the Craftsman style, represents the predominate architecture of the District. The majority of these homes were build in the 1920's. The District is roughly bounded by Symmes Street on the north, Classen Avenue on the east and Miller Avenue running northwest to southeast.
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Moore-Lindsey Historical House
- Location:
- 508 N. Peters
- Phone:
- 405-321-0156
- Description:
- Constructed in 1899, The Moore-Lindsey House is the best example of the late Victorian, Queen Anne architectural style to be found in Norman. Stroll back through time when you tour this charming house of spindle work porches, opulent furnishings and glorious landscaping. Free admission.
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Norman Welcome Center
- Location:
- 2424 Springer Drive, Suite 107
- Phone:
- 405-366-8095
- Description:
At the Norman Welcome Center, talk to the Norman experts about various historical attractions in and around Norman. Pick up a copy of the Official Norman Visitor Guide, maps, and materials on nearly 40 attractions in Norman, Oklahoma City and the state.
Open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m. to one hour before kick-off on game days.
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Original Site of the University of Oklahoma
- Location:
- West Main St. and Santa Fe
- Description:
- A historical marker designates the location of the first building and original site of the University of Oklahoma.
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Santa Fe Train Depot
- Location:
- 200 S. Jones
- Description:
- Built in 1909, the Depot served continuously until passenger service ended in 1979. During the 1980's, a concerned group of citizens oversaw restoration of the depot. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places the depot resumed its original use when passenger service was restored to Norman.
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Western History Collection
- Location:
- 630 Parrington Oval
- Phone:
- 405-325-2904
- Description:
- One of the largest and five most important collections of Western history documents, maps and photos in the United States. Over 2,000 manuscripts and 800,000 photograph prints and negatives are securely kept and preserved for the public. The collection houses a rare multivolume portfolio on the Indians of the United States and showcases the Noah H. Rose collection, which includes original photographs of great warriors, chiefs, and civilized tribes. One of the newest additions are the manuscripts from the hit series "Maverick" donated by Norman native James Garner.
