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

Durant

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 3, 2025

1. Durant Marker

Inscription.
Home of Robert Lee Williams, one of Oklahoma’s foremost citizens. Member Constitutional Convention; Chief Justice State Supreme Court; and Governor, 1915-19. Later, was Judge on U.S. District Court, and Judge on U.S. Appeals Court, 10th Circuit at time of death, 1948. Was President of Oklahoma Historical Society since 1938.

Erected 1949 by Oklahoma Historical Society and State Highway Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Oklahoma Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.

Location. 33° 59.61′ N, 96° 22.716′ W. Marker is in Durant, Oklahoma, in Bryan County. It is on West Beech Street just west of North 3rd Avenue, on the left when traveling west. The marker is located in front of the Bryan County Courthouse Annex building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 323 West Beech Street, Durant OK 74701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Oklahoma’s Choctaw 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 New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Confederate Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bryan County Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away); Bryan County V.F.W. Memorial (about 400 feet away); Robert Lee Williams

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); General Ira Eaker (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Square Cafe (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fisher Durant (approx. 0.2 miles away); The President's Home (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Durant.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Robert Lee Williams

Also see . . .
1. Robert Lee Williams (1868–1948) (Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History).

(by L. David Norris) Excerpt: Williams settled in Durant to practice law. Wealth soon came from his corporate practice and ownership in a bank, a cottonseed oil plant, an insurance company, and three thousand acres of cotton land. With his finances established, Williams entered politics as a Democrat. After local school and city positions, he was elected in 1904 as the Democratic National Committeeman for Indian Territory. In 1906 he became a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, playing a prominent roll in drafting the actual document. Elected in 1907 to the Oklahoma Supreme Court, Williams became its first chief justice. In 1914 he resigned his post to make a successful
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 3, 2025

2. Durant Marker
The Bryan County Courthouse Annex is in the background.
run for governor.

(Submitted on July 3, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Robert Lee Williams (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: As third Governor, Williams oversaw the state's response to the recent United States Supreme Court's ruling against Jim Crow laws and its involvement in the First World War (1914/1917-1918). On January 1, 1917, Williams officially moved into the new Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City, which had been under construction since June 1914. Williams died at his home in Durant, Oklahoma, on April 10, 1948, after a stay in Wilson N. Jones Hospital in Sherman, Texas. He is buried in City Cemetery in Durant.

(Submitted on July 3, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 3, 2025

3. Durant Marker

The Bryan County Courthouse Annex is in the left background. It is connected to the former Robert Lee Williams Public Library building — in the right background.

Robert Lee Williams Public Library (<i>northeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 3, 2025

4. Robert Lee Williams Public Library (northeast elevation)

Today houses the Bryan County Treasurer offices. The Durant marker is partially visible, between parked vehicles, at the far left.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 219 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 3, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.