Alva in Woods County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
Castle on the Hill Its Destruction
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2024
1. Castle on the Hill Its Destruction Marker
Tragedy struck Northwestern on March 1, 1935, when the Castle on the Hill was destroyed by fire. Flames had spread through much of the building and were well beyond control when first discovered around 2 A.M. Efforts to control the roaring flames were futile. A strong southwest wind and oiled wooden floors of the building were blamed for rendering fire-fighting almost useless. Flames raged from every window. Pianos crashed down through burning floors from the third story. Library books burned on the shelves that were melted into distorted shapes. Destroyed in the inferno were historical documents, treasured pieces of art, museum relics, government publications, band instruments and uniforms, pictures, and unique furnishings. Thick smoke billowing from broken windows cast a pall over much of the town. The wind carried sparks as far as the downtown square, setting fire to one residence and threatening many other structures. As the fire raged, much of the populace had converged on the campus, watching helplessly in horror and sadness as the beloved building burned. Many wept. As daylight blackened, teetering walls of the revered
this page online
Erected 2014 by Northwestern Oklahoma State University Historical Preservation Task Force.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Disasters • Education. A significant historical date for this entry is March 1, 1935.
Location. 36° 47.822′ N, 98° 40.019′ 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. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2024
2. Castle on the Hill Its Destruction Marker
This is the 4th from the left of the 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 Cornerstone (here, next to this marker); Castle on the Hill - Its Design (here, next to this marker); Castle on the Hill Its Approval (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 . . . (1935) Burning of Castle On the Hill... (The Okie Legacy).
Excerpts:(Submitted on February 5, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
• Three college students, who had their sleeping quarters in the building, were trapped on the roof. Their frantic cries for help roused G. R. Bradley, college engineer, from his quarters in the engine room on the campus.Bradley cut ropes from the stage settings in Herold hall and came to the rescue. The fire department arrived in time to save the boys with ladders.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 alarm was turned in by Bob Deal and Herman Hammerstead of the Magnolia Service Station across from the campus. When the trucks arrived, the three boys, Floyd Antis, Tony Anderson and Clyde Friend, were trapped on the southwest corner of the roof with the flames lapping around them. The ladders were erected just in time to prevent them from being burned.
• Immediately after rescuing the three students from their precarious position on the blazing roof, the fire fighters turned to the east door and battered it down. The lower floor was flooded with water, and every effort was made to cut the fire off from the library on that floor, but those efforts failed.
• The students of the college had just finished a special schedule that made up the three weeks of class work missed during the "scarlet fever epidemic," and another great shake-up in their class work and schedule is evident now that the main building on the campus has been destroyed.
• These are notes from GrandpaWilliam J. "Bill" McGill's journal, dated March 1, 1935, where he wrote, The old Administration building burned down Boy! Was everybody sick. $300,000 passed by both houses to rebuild. Only 4 opposition parade by everybody at noon, March 14, 1935.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."
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 206 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 5, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
