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

Edmond Public School 1889

First Public Schoolhouse In Oklahoma Territory

Photographed by Jason Voigt, April 8, 2021

1. Edmond Public School 1889 Marker

Inscription. One of the first Oklahoma Official Centennial Projects was the preservation of Oklahoma Territory's first public schoolhouse, located in Edmond. It was originally built with funds raised by the Ladies School Aid Society under the leadership of Mrs. Jennie Forster. Community volunteers supplied the labor. On September 16, 1889, the first public school opened with Miss Ollie McCormick as the teacher for nineteen pupils. No fee for tuition was ever collected. Now the oldest documented building still standing in Oklahoma County, the schoolhouse also was the site for the establishment of four local protestant churches and the first recorded wedding in the county. Converted to a private residence in 1900, and the Sanders Camera Shop in 1950, the building, which has remained on original schoolyard lots, was saved and rehabilitated under the direction of the Edmond Historic Preservation Trust. It serves as a symbol of Edmond's early commitment to education and community spirit.

Erected 2007 by Oklahoma Historical Society & Edmond Historic Preservation Trust.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this

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topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Oklahoma Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 16, 1889.

Location. 35° 39.168′ N, 97° 28.732′ W. Marker is in Edmond, Oklahoma, in Oklahoma County. It is on East 2nd Street (U.S. 77) west of South Boulevard, on the right when traveling east. Marker is in front of the schoolhouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 122 US-77, Edmond OK 73034, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Oklahoma — Frontier Country

and in Greater Oklahoma City.

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: Central State College (within shouting distance of this marker); Replica of the Statue of Liberty (within shouting distance of this marker);

Photographed by Jason Voigt, April 8, 2021

2. Edmond Public School 1889 Marker

Classen's Grove (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Early Days (about 800 feet away); Citizens Bank (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Early Days (approx. 0.2 miles away); Stephenson Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Shannon Miller Park (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edmond.

Also see . . . 1889 Territorial Schoolhouse. From Edmond Historical Society's website. Contains history and photos. (Submitted on April 16, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 16, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 553 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 16, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.