Ardmore in Carter County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

Randol Hotel

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 21, 2019

1. Randol Hotel Marker

Inscription. Before 1899, J.W. Banks built, at this site, a mercantile establishment combined with lodging quarters. In 1903, W.F. (Dixie) Gilmer arrived from North Carolina and leased the hotel which was a three story structure with rooms on the second and third floors and long, wide verandas facing Main Street. As was the custom of the day, a horse-drawn carriage carried guests of the hotel to and from the train station.

But it was the Randol Hotel that international attention was focused on this location when on November 21, 1920, Jake Hamon, prominent oil man and political figure slated to become Secretary of the Interior under President-elect Warren G. Harding, was shot by his mistress and died a few days later. The murder trial of Clara Smith Hamon in 1921, which ended in acquittal, was closely followed by newspapers around the world through reports from the mass media that descended upon Ardmore.

On July 17, 1925, fire of undetermined origin destroyed this famous landmark.

Erected by Ardmore Main Street Authority.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce •

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Notable Buildings • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #29 Warren G. Harding series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 17, 1925.

Location. 34° 10.4′ N, 97° 7.858′ W. Marker is in Ardmore, Oklahoma, in Carter County. It is on West Main Street (Oklahoma Route 199) west of B Street NW, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 209 West Main Street, Ardmore OK 73401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Oklahoma’s Chickasaw Nation.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Luke’s Music Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Federal Courthouse (1898) (within shouting distance of this marker); Noble Brothers Hardware

Randol Hotel Marker above haystack, in bushes. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 21, 2019

2. Randol Hotel Marker above haystack, in bushes.

(within shouting distance of this marker); Carter County Courthouse (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ardmoreite Building (about 500 feet away); The Banker's National Bank Building (about 500 feet away); Carter County (about 600 feet away); The First National Bank and Trust Company of Ardmore (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ardmore.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on Jake Hamon. (Submitted on November 9, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,157 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 9, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.