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

City Hall & Opera House

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 9, 2024

1. City Hall & Opera House Marker

Inscription.
Nehemiah M. Tubbs built the City Hall and Opera House in 1901 for $5,838.29. Councilmen at this time were W.D. Ezel - mayor, E.F. Korns, J.C. Columbia, George Midgley, John S. Miller, W.M. Ferguson, J.S. Thomas, F.M. Morrison, and C.F. Rogers. The Newkirk Post Office rented the northeast room for $14 per month at this time and was located here until 1958.

In the early days, the City Hall was used as a community gathering point with dances, civic meetings, military assemblies, operas, vaudevilles, and church revivals hosting evangelists.

The City Jail and the Public Library have both been housed under this roof. The Library was organized through the Newkirk Study Club in 1905 with the donation of twenty-six volumes which became the nucleus of the Library. In 1920 the collection which had grown to 1,500 volumes was officially donated to the City and moved into the City Hall.

The top floor of the building was removed in 1973 by Lambert Construction of Stillwater.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education • Entertainment • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.

Location. 36° 52.93′ N,

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97° 3.258′ W. Marker is in Newkirk, Oklahoma, in Kay County. It is on West 7th Street just west of South Main Street (U.S. 77), on the left when traveling west. The marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject building, on the left side of the front/north entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 107 West 7th Street, Newkirk OK 74647, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and Cherokee Outlet.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Red Rose Garden Club (a few steps from this marker); Cherokee Outlet... or Cherokee Strip? (a few steps from this marker); Newkirk (within shouting distance of this marker); First National Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Cherokee Allotments (within

Marker detail: Original City Hall & Opera House image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Original City Hall & Opera House

shouting distance of this marker); Newkirk Kay County Fair (within shouting distance of this marker); Oklahoma State Centennial 1907 - 2007 (within shouting distance of this marker); Kay County Abstract Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newkirk.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 9, 2024

3. City Hall & Opera House Marker

The marker is mounted on the left side of the front/north entrance.

City Hall Today (<i>one story only</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 9, 2024

4. City Hall Today (one story only)

Newkirk City Hall (<i>northeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 9, 2024

5. Newkirk City Hall (northeast elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 139 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 1, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.