Three Oklahoma Properties Added To National Register Of Historic Places

NewsOn6.com

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -- The Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office has announced that three Oklahoma properties have been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The Citizens Bank Tower, Oklahoma City:

The Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office says the Citizens Bank Tower is an architecturally significant building in Oklahoma City, thanks to its hexagonal plan, slender profile, unusual sunscreens and rigorously sculpted crown.

According to a news release from the Preservation Office, it was among the first tall office buildings to be erected outside of downtown Oklahoma City and set the standard for other distinctive large freestanding suburban skyscrapers.

The Citizens Bank Tower was designed by Robert Roloff, of Bozalis, Dickinson and Roloff, who considered it a tribute to Frank Lloyd Wright and his Price Tower constructed in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.  Constructed from 1965 to 1966, the interior of the tower has been adapted to apartment units for contemporary use.

The Old Santa Fe Railroad Bridge, near Wanette:

The Old Santa Fe Railroad Bridge, located near the town of Wanette southeast of Norman between McClain and Pottawatomie County over the Canadian River, is significant as the longest and oldest bridge of its type in both counties.

The three spans' total length equals 785 feet.  The Preservation Office says the Old Santa Fe Railroad Bridge embodies the distinctive characteristics of bridge engineering; specifically the camelback through truss design.

The Rose Hill Plantation site, near Hugo:

The Rose Hill Plantation site, located in the vicinity of Hugo in Choctaw County in southeastern Oklahoma, is significant for its association with Robert M. Jones and for its ability to yield historic information.

The Rose Hill plantation site is one of six plantations operated by Jones; two of which were located in Oklahoma.

The Preservation Office says Jones controlled thousands of acres on the six plantations, owned more than 200 slaves and two steamboats and operated as many as 28 stores/trading posts.  At one time, Jones was the wealthiest member of the Choctaw Nation.

The National Register of Historic Places is a catalogue of the buildings, sites, structures, districts, and objects that provide a record of the American.  The Preservation Office says the sites also may be selected for architectural and archeological interests.

For more information, visit the web site of the Oklahoma Historical Society.