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

Landmark for All Generations

“Okmulgee Colored Hospital”

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 21, 2025

1. Landmark for All Generations Marker

Inscription. The vision for this building became a reality when the city acquired four lots from William Morton in 1920. In 1922 Okmulgee's Black citizens secured $25,000 in donations from Federated Clubs and their own leading citizens to complete the funding to construct the first “Colored hospital” to be opened in the state of Oklahoma. Even though the building was completed, the Black community had to raise additional funds to equip the hospital and make the building operational. In 1924 a group of Black citizens formed the Colored Hospital Association. The hospital was opened in 1924 and housed 18-20 beds with living quarters for a staff of six to seven nurses. The building was estimated to cost $50,000. In 1936 the building was leased for three years to Dr. J.H. Burt.

Important medical services and care were provided at the hospital, but it also served as a symbol of segregation prior to the Civil Rights movement. When Okmulgee integrated a number of health facilities in 1957 the Okmulgee Colored Hospital was closed.

In 1984 the building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Science & Medicine

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. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.

Location. 35° 37.525′ N, 95° 57.633′ W. Marker is in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, in Okmulgee County. It is at the intersection of North Wood Drive (U.S. 75) and East 3rd Street, on the right when traveling south on North Wood Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 210 N Wood Dr, Okmulgee OK 74447, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Muscogee Nation

and in Greater Tulsa.

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: First Bank of Okmulgee (approx. 0.6 miles away); Creek Council House Capitol Of The Muscogee Nation (approx. 0.7 miles away); Trail of Tears (approx. 0.7 miles away); Creek Capitol (approx. 0.7 miles away); Samuel Checote (approx. 0.7 miles away); Okmulgee County Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); 2nd Lt. Kenneth Strang Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); Forced to Capitulate by Command or Shot out of the Sky: (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Okmulgee.

Also see . . .
1. Okmulgee Colored Hospital (PDF). Supplemental National Register nomination submitted in 2007 for the property, which was originally listed in 1984. (Prepared by Michael Cassity; via Oklahoma State Historic Preservation

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 21, 2025

2. Landmark for All Generations Marker

Office) (Submitted on August 18, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. The History. In 1920, the city of Okmulgee passed a $150,000 bond issue for city projects, including a library, an addition to the Okmulgee City Hospital and $50,000 for the construction of the Okmulgee Colored Hospital. (Landmark for All Generations, Inc.) (Submitted on August 18, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Former Okmulgee Colored Hospital image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 21, 2025

3. Former Okmulgee Colored Hospital

Credits. This page was last revised on August 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 87 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 18, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.