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

Samuel Richard Memorial Hall

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 30, 2024

1. Samuel Richard Memorial Hall Marker

Inscription. Built in 1922, the Samuel Richard Memorial Hall was named in memory of Samuel Richard, a Bacone student who died while he was attending school at Bacone in 1916. The building cost $150,000 to build, with $58,000 of the funding used to build this Collegiate Gothic-style building donated by his father, Eastman Richard, Creek. As the history is told, Eastman Richard was allotted what was thought to be "worthless" land, but oil was later discovered there and he soon became a millionaire - one of the richest Creek Indians of his time. The remainder of the funding to build Samuel Richard Memorial Hall came from the General Education Board and the American Baptist Home Mission Society. The cornerstone was laid by Joseph S. Murrow on June16, 1921, which reads: "Erected in 1921 in memory of Samuel Richard by Eastman Richard and the American Baptist Home Mission Society for Bacone College, Benj. D. Weeks, President; James H. Reddick, Contractor; Chas. W. Dawson, Architect; T.E. Bassham, Associate." In addition to Eastman Richard's donation, Mrs. Susanna Butler, Creek, gave $25,000 for furnishings; Mrs. Winy Brown, Creek, gave $10,000;

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Mrs. Louisa Brown, Creek, gave $5,000; Mr. John David, Choctaw, gave $10,000; Eliza Sewell, Euchee, gave $500; and Oliver C. Wilkerson, Cherokee, gave $1000. Soon after it was built, the American Baptist Home Mission Society said in its annual report: "There are few larger and better school buildings or more convenient recitation halls in all the south." This building has been home to administrative offices, the library and classrooms.

Erected by Daughters of the American Revolution.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1922.

Location. 35° 46.674′ N, 95° 20.037′ W. Marker is in Muskogee, Oklahoma, in Muskogee County. It is on Old Bacone Road 0.2 miles east of Daniel Rogers Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Muskogee OK 74403, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Oklahoma’s Muscogee Nation

and specifically

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 30, 2024

2. Samuel Richard Memorial Hall Marker

in the Cherokee 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: Mackey's Salt Kettle (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Milly Francis (about 500 feet away); Ataloa Lodge (about 600 feet away); Isaac McCoy Hall (about 700 feet away); Benjamin Wacoche Hall (about 800 feet away); Site Given to the American Baptist Home Mission Society (approx. 0.3 miles away); Founded as Indian University (approx. half a mile away); Fort Davis (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Muskogee.

Also see . . . Bacone College - A History (.pdf). (Submitted on July 15, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 30, 2024

3. Samuel Richard Memorial Hall Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 278 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 15, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.