Tipton orphans home added to National Register of Historic Places

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Historical Society and State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) announced the designation of three new locations, including the Tipton Orphans Home, to the National Register of Historic Places.

The National Register of Historic Places is our nation’s official list of properties significant in our past.

Built in 1923-1924 and located at 1000 North Broadway Ave. in Tipton, the orphans home is an example of late 19th and 20th Century Revivals/Classical Revival Orphanage, according to a release from SHPO. Through an act of benevolence, Sol and Maggie Tipton donated 80 acres for the new home to be built. It has helped over 3,100 children who needed assistance physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. The Tipton Orphans Home has provided a safe place for those who did not have a home. Still in existence today, it remains a safe haven for children, the release said. The Tipton Orphans Home is significant for its impact on social history as it has been a vital part of Tillman County since 1923. It is also the oldest children’s home in Oklahoma.

Two other designations were also announced including the Dusbabek Filling Station, 101 N. Main St., in Okeene. It’s significant for its role in commerce in Okeene as well as its Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival architectural style. This building was also built in 1923-24. Due to its location at the intersection of two state highways, it attracted customers entering and leaving Blaine County in every direction. It was the only station in Blaine County during World War II that was certified to sell gasoline in the area. During this time of heavy rations and struggles, these doors and buildings were a welcome sight to consumers who needed gas for their personal and business needs.

The third designation was given to Booker T. Washington School, located at 801 Pastor Alfred Baldwin Jr. Way, in Enid. Completed in 1922, was constructed as a segregated public school building to provide better education to Enid’s Black students. This new school significantly impacted the Black community as it served as a permanent structure to teach first through twelfth grades during the legal segregation of Oklahoma schools. In addition, it was momentous because it was the first segregated school in Enid that offered a high school and manual (vocational) training. Roy W. Shaw, a local architect, designed the school and its 1926 addition using the Classical Revival architectural style. 

The State Historic Preservation Office is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.