Alva in Woods County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
Castle on the Hill Its Approval
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2024
1. Castle on the Hill Its Approval Marker
Legislation that established Northwestern Territorial Normal School in 1897 also directed the Board of Education to advertise for plans and specifications for a suitable building with an estimate of the cost thereof. With the support of area legislators and the Alva Commercial Club, a construction contract was let in March 1898 in spite of heavy opposition from other parts of the Territory. The contract was awarded to John Volk, a builder from Rock Island, Illinois, for $86,018. A building site on land donated by J.T. Fryer and paid for in part by H. Clay McGrath, had been acquired even before a bill authorizing the school was introduced in the Territorial Legislature. Work on the building began in April 1898 although funds had not been appropriated by the Legislature. To assure construction could continue, more than 100 residents of the Alva area in 1898 signed a bond pledging that the total amount of the contract would be paid. Not until 1901 did the Legislature enact measures authorizing payment of the building debt. Once begun, work on the structure progressed rapidly and was completed in just a few days over one
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Erected 2014 by Northwestern Oklahoma State University Historical Preservation Task Force.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Education. A significant historical date for this entry is April 5, 1899.
Location. 36° 47.823′ N, 98° 40.018′ W. Marker is in Alva, Oklahoma, in Woods County. It can be reached from the intersection of Oklahoma Boulevard (U.S. 64) and College Avenue, on the right when traveling east. The marker, on the Castle on the Hill Monument, is located on the Northwestern Oklahoma State University campus, on the north side of the Jesse Dunn building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 709 Oklahoma Boulevard, Alva OK 73717, 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.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2024
2. Castle on the Hill Its Approval Marker
This is the leftmost of four historical markers mounted on the Castle on the Hill Monument. The middle 14 vertical bricks on each wing of the monument are original bricks from the Castle on the Hill.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Castle on the Hill - Its Design (here, next to this marker); Castle on the Hill Its Cornerstone (here, next to this marker); Castle on the Hill Its Destruction (here, next to this marker); Jesse Dunn Hall (a few steps from this marker); Carter Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Herod Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); ΦΛΧ Commemorates Veterans of Foreign Wars from Northwestern State College (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Nathan Boone (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alva.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The Castle on the Hill
Also see . . .
1. Northwestern Oklahoma State University (Oklahoma Historical Society).
Excerpt: Four years after the Cherokee Outlet Opening in 1893, aggressive businessmen in Alva induced the Oklahoma Territorial(Submitted on February 4, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Legislature to approve the establishment of Northwestern Territorial Normal School. It was the second such institution in the territory, the first being Central State Normal School (University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond). Classes began in September 1897 under the presidency of James E. Ament and with a faculty of two women, Sarah Bosworth and Mary DeLisle. Alva churches provided classrooms until a permanent structure was completed in 1899. Designed by architect Joseph Foucart, the building with castle-like features became known as the "Castle on the Hill" and served as an educational landmark until fire destroyed it in 1935.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 20243. The Castle on the HillThis illustration of the Castle on the Hill is also mounted on the monument.The school's original primary function was to train teachers by providing two years of college-level classes. Early settlers in the area established numerous one-room schools, and the demand for teachers and better teacher training became critical.
2. Castle on the Hill (okielegacy.net).
(includes an aerial photo) Excerpt: (The following information is from the book, "Alva, Oklahoma First 100 years - 1886-1986" - ISBN-0-88108-075-0, by Seekers of Oklahoma Heritage Association & printed by Curtis Media Corporation in 1987.)(Submitted on February 4, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 20244. Castle on the Hill MonumentLooking south; the Jesse Dunn building is in the background. It is today's NWOSU main building, located on the site of the former "Castle on the Hill."
The committee advertised for offers of land near the city for the college site. As they made other plans, they set about placing pressure upon the legislature to secure the location of a normal school in Alva, Oklahoma. The first round of attempts to get the legislature to pass the bill was a failure. Soon after that the committee again began to push their cause through the legislature. It was reported that a record of all the maneuvers that took place in this fight would fill a large volume, but the bill passed the council by a vote of 8 to 5 on February 26, 1897. Following another bitter fight the bill passed the House of Representatives on March 10, 1897.
After the passage the opposing parties tried to keep Governor W. O. Renfrew from signing the bill before the end of the session. However, the friendly supporters of the bill refused to sign the appropriations bill until the Governor signed the college bill. It was either sign the bill or to try to run the state affairs without funds for the following year. The bill was signed about midnight just before the sessions closed on March 12, 1897.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 3, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 280 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 4, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
