100 Block – North

100 Block – North. 100 Block East Main. The city's first brick building, constructed by Pryor V. Adkins on his lot at 101 E. Main Street in 1890, was home to many businesses before it was demolished to make way for the construction and opening of the Sooner Theatre in 1927. Mr. Adkins served as one of Norman's first mayors. The Adkins Building was once home to a saloon and gambling house; then later the 14-room Planters Hotel and finally a transfer and storage. When it was a hotel, there was no bath and the male guests were required to take a weekly dip in the Canadian River. , The Sooner Theatre, designed by Harold Gimeno, brought talking pictures to Norman from 1929 until it closed its doors in 1975. A citizens group petitioned the City of Norman to help save the historic structure from the wrecking ball and transformed it into a civic treasure hosting plays, concerts and community events. A few doors east of the Sooner (now 113 E. Main) the Seawell Opera House's 1890 opening was celebrated with a Christmas party. It provided entertainment for what was becoming a cultural center of the Southwest. The building was later home to a theatre, furniture store and hotel. . Nearby were barber shops, a tailor, jewelry store, cafes and clothing stores. Between 1942 and 1946, the U.S.O. operated in what became the Mister Robert Furniture Co. , In the middle of the block was the Carey Lombard Lumber Company, the first business to offer lumber and building supplies to the townsite's ambitious settlers. Their merchandise was reported to be en route during the land run. It was also the first Main Street business to have a concrete sidewalk. Remaining parts of the lumber yard are now home to The Crucible foundry on Tonhawa Street. , The Fred Reed Drug Store operated at 129 E. Main. The Pioneer Drug Store operated near there, first in a tent, and later its own building – it is believed to be the city's first drug store. The first long-distance telephone call from Norman was to Oklahoma City and was made from this block in 1898. , Less than four months after the land run of April 22, 1889, a bank opened in temporary quarters on the northwest corner of Main Street and Peters Avenue. The Commercial Bank, later Farmers National Bank, Norman State Bank, City National Bank and now First Fidelity Bank have all operated at 131 E. Main. Many of the early buildings on Main Street were financed by The Commercial Bank. Fires after the turn of the century destroyed many of the wooden buildings on the south side of Main Street. The brick structures on the north side survived. , In June of 1890, Norman's first serious traffic accident took place on Main Street near Peters Avenue when a team of spooked horses attempted to run away and became entangled in their harness. The wagon tipped over and a child was nearly killed. The girl was cared for in a nearby home. Norman citizens passed the hat and raised money for her poor family.