Ardmore in Carter County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
Ardmoreite Building
Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 21, 2019
1. Ardmoreite Building Marker
Inscription.
Ardmoreite Building. . This building, originally built in 1930 by architect J.B. White, was called the Gilbert Building. It was renamed the Ardmoreite Building in 1966 when it became the home of The Daily Ardmoreite. Between 1930 and 1966 many businesses called this property home including Oklahoma Gas and Electric, the Masonic Lodge and the Ardmore Little Theater. The area used by the Little Theater on the ground floor can still be recognized as having a catwalk, balcony seating, stage frame and a huge Viking head. And until 1975, the paper's press units were housed in the orchestra pit. The Ardmoreite decided to entomb the old press in concrete in the former orchestra pit rather than try to remove it.
The Masons used the fifth floor of the building for meetings and socializing. The area has distinct and beautiful architectural work on the upper floors. There was a small snack shop and grill in the lobby in the early years that served hamburgers, sandwiches, chips, etc. This building has been home to four radio stations, three dentists, four ranchers, six oil companies, two photography shops three insurance companies, two doctors of medicine, three financial companies, a credit service, a law firm, a television station, a newspaper, an electric company, a cosmetics firm, a roofing company, a Masonic Temple and a dried meat manufacturer.
The building has three elevators, two of which are freight elevators that are still operated manually. The third elevator was automated in the early 1970's. The building's basement area has been used for a storm shelter for the public when there is severe local weather.
The Ardmoreite sign on the southwest corner of the building was renovated in 1996 to include lighting and is very visible at night.
This building, originally built in 1930 by
architect J.B. White, was called the
Gilbert Building. It was renamed the
Ardmoreite Building in 1966 when it
became the home of The Daily
Ardmoreite. Between 1930 and 1966
many businesses called this property
home including Oklahoma Gas and
Electric, the Masonic Lodge and the
Ardmore Little Theater. The area used
by the Little Theater on the ground
floor can still be recognized as having a
catwalk, balcony seating, stage frame and a huge
Viking head. And until 1975, the paper's press
units were housed in the orchestra pit. The
Ardmoreite decided to entomb the old press in
concrete in the former orchestra pit rather than
try to remove it.
The Masons used the fifth floor of the
building for meetings and socializing. The area
has distinct and beautiful architectural work on
the upper floors. There was a small snack shop
and grill in the lobby in the early years that
served hamburgers, sandwiches, chips, etc.
This building has been home to four radio
stations, three dentists, four ranchers, six
oil companies, two photography shops
three insurance companies, two doctors
of medicine, three financial companies,
a credit service, a law firm, a television
station, a newspaper, an electric
company, a cosmetics firm, a roofing
company, a Masonic Temple
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and a dried
meat manufacturer.
The building has three elevators, two of which
are freight elevators that are still operated
manually. The third elevator was automated in
the early 1970's. The building's basement area
has been used for a storm shelter for the public
when there is severe local weather.
The Ardmoreite sign on the southwest corner
of the building was renovated in 1996 to include
lighting and is very visible at night.
Erected by Ardmore Main Street Authority.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.
Location. 34° 10.465′ N, 97° 7.79′ W. Marker is in Ardmore, Oklahoma, in Carter County. Marker is at the intersection of West Broadway Street and B Street NW, on the right when traveling west on West Broadway Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 117 West Broadway Street, Ardmore OK 73401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 340 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 9, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
