Central Oklahoma City in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
Gristmill Bed Stone
Photographed by James Hulse, October 29, 2025
1. Gristmill Bed Stone Marker
Inscription.
Gristmill Bed Stone. . Charles Gasham Jones led development of a flour mill located at Broadway and Grand Avenue (now Sheridan Avenue). The remaining lower bed stone of the two millstones brought to Oklahoma City by Jones in December 1889 was excavated during construction of the Myriad Convention Center. The mill was the first and only such operation in Oklahoma City and flour produced with the millstone now on display won first place at the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. The mill resulted in Jones taking on the nickname of "Gristmill". The prize helped establish Oklahoma Territory as an agriculturally rich area until the mill burned down in 1897. After the fire, Jones turned his interests to railroads and politics. He also felt the territory should promote its agricultural products with territorial fairs and later, the State Fair of Oklahoma. As a state lawmaker, he pushed for legislation to ensure Oklahoma City would be the permanent host of the annual state fair. Jones was the organizer and first president of the State Fair Association and his young son, Luther, threw the switch that lit up the inaugural 1907 State Fair of Oklahoma.
Charles Gasham Jones led development of a flour mill located at Broadway and Grand Avenue (now Sheridan Avenue). The remaining lower bed stone of the two millstones brought to Oklahoma City by Jones in December 1889 was excavated during construction of the Myriad Convention Center. The mill was the first and only such operation in Oklahoma City and flour produced with the millstone now on display won first place at the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. The mill resulted in Jones taking on the nickname of "Gristmill". The prize helped establish Oklahoma Territory as an agriculturally rich area until the mill burned down in 1897. After the fire, Jones turned his interests to railroads and politics. He also felt the territory should promote its agricultural products with territorial fairs and later, the State Fair of Oklahoma. As a state lawmaker, he pushed for legislation to ensure Oklahoma City would be the permanent host of the annual state fair. Jones was the organizer and first president of the State Fair Association and his young son, Luther, threw the switch that lit up the inaugural 1907 State Fair of Oklahoma.
Location. 35° 28.36′ N, 97° 34.246′ W. Marker is in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in Oklahoma County. It is in Central Oklahoma City. It is at the intersection of Kiamichi Place and Stagecoach, on the left when traveling north on Kiamichi Place. The marker is located at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 608 Kiamichi Pl, Oklahoma City OK 73107, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Oklahoma Frontier Country. 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
3. The view of the Gristmill Bed Stone and Marker long the memorial park
Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 42 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 2, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
