Norman in Cleveland County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

Burton Hall

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 19, 2025

1. Burton Hall Marker, Side One

Inscription.

Burton Hall. . This building was added to campus in 1932 to house the School of Home Economics and was named for the long time director of the school, Dr. Helen B. Burton. Dr. Burton was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 7, 1889. She studied at Indiana University and graduated Cum Laude, with a Bachelors of Arts in English, in 1911. Dr. Burton's subsequent degrees were a Bachelors of Science from the Lewis Institute in 1915, a Masters Degree from the University of Chicago, in 1922, and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1929. , Dr. Helen B. Burton came to the University of Oklahoma in 1927. A specialist in food and nutrition, her research included the study of calcium and phosphorus in the human body and the ascorbic acid content of certain foods. Dr. Burton quickly became a leader in the university School of Home Economics. She soon became the director of the school and was instrumental in the creation of the new structure to house the School of Home Economics. In 1932, the new building was completed and the school was moved there. On February 5, 1953, the building was dedicated in a ceremony presided over by the university's seventh president, Dr. George Lynn Cross. , Dr. Helen B. Burton remained an active part of the School of Home Economics until her retirement in August of 1958. Shortly after her retirement, it was decided by the University Board of Regents that the building Dr. Burton worked so diligently to create should bear her name. Burton was appointed Professor Emeritus upon her retirement and was very involved with the university until her death on August 23, 1966. The School of Home Economics continued to exist until 1984. , Today, Burton Hall is still an active part of campus and houses the School of Communication and the Political Communications Center. The Political Communications Center houses the Julian R. Kemper Political Commercial Archive, which is the world's largest collection of political radio and television commercials. The center's collections also include an archive of televised debates and a selectin of international political television programs.

This building was added to campus in 1932 to house the School of Home Economics and was named for the long time director of the school, Dr. Helen B. Burton. Dr. Burton was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 7, 1889. She studied at Indiana University and graduated Cum Laude, with a Bachelors of Arts in English, in 1911. Dr. Burton's subsequent degrees were a Bachelors of Science from the Lewis Institute in 1915, a Masters Degree from the University of Chicago, in 1922, and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1929.

Dr. Helen B. Burton came to the University of Oklahoma in 1927. A specialist in food and nutrition, her research included the study of calcium and phosphorus in the human body and the ascorbic acid content of certain foods. Dr. Burton quickly became a leader in the university School of Home Economics. She soon became the director of the school and was instrumental in the creation of the new structure to house the School of Home Economics. In 1932, the new building was completed and the school was moved there. On February 5, 1953, the building was dedicated in a ceremony presided over by the university's

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seventh president, Dr. George Lynn Cross.

Dr. Helen B. Burton remained an active part of the School of Home Economics until her retirement in August of 1958. Shortly after her retirement, it was decided by the University Board of Regents that the building Dr. Burton worked so diligently to create should bear her name. Burton was appointed Professor Emeritus upon her retirement and was very involved with the university until her death on August 23, 1966. The School of Home Economics continued to exist until 1984.

Today, Burton Hall is still an active part of campus and houses the School of Communication and the Political Communications Center. The Political Communications Center houses the Julian R. Kemper Political Commercial Archive, which is the world's largest collection of political radio and television commercials. The center's collections also include an archive of televised debates and a selectin of international political television programs.

Erected by The University of Oklahoma.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the University of Oklahoma

Burton Hall Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 19, 2025

2. Burton Hall Marker, Side Two

series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 7, 1889.

Location. 35° 12.547′ N, 97° 26.878′ W. Marker is in Norman, Oklahoma, in Cleveland County. It is on Elm Avenue 0.1 miles south of West Boyd Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 610 Elm Ave, Norman OK 73019, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Oklahoma — Frontier Country

and in Greater Oklahoma City.

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 the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Goddard Health Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Physical Sciences Center (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts (about 300 feet away); Catlett Music Center (about 400 feet away); Beatrice Carr Wallace Old Science Hall

Burton Hall Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 19, 2025

3. Burton Hall Marker

(about 600 feet away); Chemistry Building (about 600 feet away); Anne and Henry Zarrow Hall (about 600 feet away); Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norman.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Ellison Hall (was about 400 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

Helen B. Burton image. Click for full size.

The Sooner Magazine, June 1938; via University of Oklahoma Foundation (Public Domain), circa 1938

4. Helen B. Burton

Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 169 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 8, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Clear in-focus closeup photograph of Side One of the marker • Can you help?