Guthrie in Logan County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

Bonfils Building

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 22, 2019

1. Bonfils Building Marker

Inscription. The 1890 City Directory lists 107 S. 2nd as F. C. Bonfils Real Estate with residence on 2nd floor. Son of a Missouri Judge and descendant of Napoleon, he was 28 when he joined the Land Run of 1889. A colorful con man and lottery promoter, he had but one intention - - to make money for Bonfils. His confidence games forced him to leave town after constructing this first native stone business building in Guthrie. Among his schemes was selling town lots in Oklahoma City at bargain prices - - but they were in Oklahoma City, Texas, not Oklahoma, as most supposed. Bonfils was also involved in a "money-making machine" which duped early settlers into believing the machine actually made large bills from small ones.

He later went to Denver and was co-founder of the Denver Post newspaper. He died 1932, a wealthy and nationally influential figure.

Erected 1980 by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.

Location. 35° 52.66′ N, 97° 25.661′ W. Marker is in Guthrie, Oklahoma, in Logan County. Marker is on South 2nd Street south of West Oklahoma Avenue, on the right when traveling

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south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 107 South 2nd Street, Guthrie OK 73044, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. U. S. Government Land Office (a few steps from this marker); De Ford Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Office of E.P. McCabe (within shouting distance of this marker); Post Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Reeves Brothers Casino (within shouting distance of this marker); Guthrie City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Blue Bell Bar (within shouting distance of this marker); Land Office (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Guthrie.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on Frederick Gilmer Bonfils. (Submitted on October 26, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Native stone Bonfils Building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 22, 2019

2. Native stone Bonfils Building and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 3, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 204 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 26, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.