Home > OK > Edmond >

1889 Territorial School

124 E 2nd St., Edmond, OK
Phone:

East < GO > West

The 1889 Territorial School was the first public schoolhouse in Oklahoma Territory. The school was built thanks to Jennie Forster and the Ladies School Aid Society who raised the money to pay the lumber bill and the community volunteers who supplied the labor. The school opened in September 1889. It was converted to a private residence in 1900 and in 1950 it became the Sanders Camera Shop until 1975.

Thanks to the Edmond Historic Preservation Trust, the Schoolhouse was restored in 2007 as part of the Oklahoma Centennial Project.

The two sculptures at the Territorial school were done by Gary Lee. The one above is the "New Heights of Knowledge - A Bigger Picture"

The second sculpture is titled "New Heights of Knowledge - Far Away Places". I suspect that's a geography and this kid is starring into space dreaming of far away places.

There is an Historic Marker that reads:

One of the first Oklahoma Official Centennial Projects was the preservation of Oklahoma Territory's first public schoolhouse, located in Edmond. It was originally built with funds raised by the Ladies School Aid Society under the leadership of Mrs. Jennie Forster. Community volunteers supplied the labor. On September 16, 1889, the first public school opened with Miss Ollie McCormick as the teacher for nineteen pupils. No fee for tuition was ever collected. Now the oldest documented building still standing in Oklahoma County, the schoolhouse also was the site for the establishment of four local Protestant churches and the first recorded wedding in the county. Converted to a private residence in 1900, and the Sanders Camera Shop in 1950, the building, which has remained on original schoolyard lots, was saved and rehabilitated under the direction of the Edmond Historic Preservation Trust. It serves as a symbol of Edmond's early commitment to education and community spirit.

2007 by Oklahoma Historical Society & Edmond Historic Preservation Trust.

KEN - See Mural in Edmond, OK below for info on sculptures.

There is a large mural on the wall of the building next to the school that depicts Edmond Station's Land Run Settlers. The 2002 mural was painted by Dr. Bob Palmer and UCO Students. Walk to the back of the school to get a good view of the mural.

Photo(s): 2017