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. 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.

Erected by Oklahoma

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City-County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1889.

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

Gristmill Bed Stone and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, October 29, 2025

2. Gristmill Bed Stone and Marker

crow flies: Lion's Head from Terminal Building and Arcade (here, next to this marker); Capitol of Oklahoma (a few steps from this marker); Charles Gasham Jones (a few steps from this marker); Columns from Lee-Huckins Hotel (a few steps from this marker); Baum Building Cupola (within shouting distance of this marker); American Mutual Company (approx. 1.3 miles away); Stockyards City (approx. 1.7 miles away); a different marker also named Stockyards City (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oklahoma City.

The view of the Gristmill Bed Stone and Marker long the memorial park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, October 29, 2025

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 48 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 2, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.