Montgomery Ward Building

Montgomery Ward Building. . , This is the third and final structure to be built on this block by philanthropist oilman E.W. Marland. The middle building was completed first and Marland envisioned spending $250,000 to complete the block in a way which would harmonize with the structure. The architect was John Duncan Forsyth. He was a good friend of Marland's and also designed the second Marland Mansion. Preliminary plans for this building began in 1926 but the actual structure was not completed until 1929 at a cost of $35,000. During this period Marland's fortunes declined and the building is somewhat less exuberant than the other two. , Construction on this Art Deco building had not yet begun when Montgomery Ward signed a five-year lease for $800 a month. The store originally featured a double entrance with three large plate glass show windows and over 22,000 feet of floor space. The main floor was devoted to household articles, jewelry, shoes and men's wear. Women's ready-to-wear and children's clothing were sold on the mezzanine level. The second floor displayed household furnishings. The basement was proclaimed “a man's paradise,” which included hardware, tires, sporting goods, and seasonal gardening supplies. A former employee even remembers selling baby chickens! Cashier and office space was located on a balcony at the front of store. From this point a central change system was used throughout the store “with an endless chain system carrying cash boxes to and from the cashier's office from all departments.” , Ward's lease was renegotiated in 1934 and rent dropped in half, to $400 a month. This was a reflection of the hard economic times during the Depression. The building underwent some changes in 1946, including the addition of air conditioning. In 1977 Montgomery Ward left the building and opened a catalog store. , In Ponca City, the architect John Duncan Forsyth is best known for his Spanish-influenced and traditional architectural styles. However, he later moved to Tulsa and became very involved in the Art Deco movement of the late 1930s. This structure represents one of his first buildings in the Art Deco style.