The Original Lawton High School

Toured the new City Hall building on Friday. That’s the renovated Central Junior High School. The original Lawton High School. How wonderful that our city kept this landmark, instead of bulldozing it down and building a mall, like they did  to our downtown main street. Anyway, I digress because it still upsets me that we lost so much history in the name of progress.

The City Hall building is now modern and spacious, with elevators and a new glass façade. At the same time, the integrity of the former facility has been preserved. That’s awesome! They even kept one classroom to act as a museum to the building’s past with photos of former Lawton High students.

The event I attended was a farewell reception for our current mayor, John Purcell. This project was built under his leadership, but he will not serve from the new mayor’s office. A desk was brought in for a final photo op and to fulfill a promise that he would sit in the new office.

The mayor was presented with a plaque that had a photo of the building, a special key to the city and encouraging mayor’s coins that he was so famous for. The photo of the building was taken by Hubby. It's stunning!

Outside, a bronze buffalo has been placed on the grounds and dedicated to this fine and likeable mayor. What a beautiful piece of art to add to the downtown landscape.

Comments

[Staci]

Oh my gosh, I am in love with that building. I'm always happy as well, like you, when they decide to "save" something so grand. There were so many incredible court houses in Oklahoma at one time and now most of them are gone, replaced by 1960's-1970's modernism. I'm going to have to take a road trip to Lawton soon and see it for myself!

Thanks to hubby for the pictures!

[nola at the alamo]

Wow, I love the buffalo, it is awesome! A time or two we've come home from Oklahoma City to Dallas via Lawton; if we come through again, I'll have to find the buff! We take different routes so hubby can show me the different sites of Oklahoma.

[Oklahoma Granny]

It does my heart good to know historical buildings are being preserved and repurposed if need be. If we ever get to Lawton I'm going to have to check out the old high school - at least the outside.

[Anita]

Was astounded when I saw the old Lawton High School yesterday! Knew nothing of it beforehand and couldn't figure out its purpose- school, county courthouse, state capitol building (though obviously not, in Lawton). It will make a great City Hall. Renovations are going well and the enclosure of the west side of the building with a modern glass facade is well-done and fits in with the original brick structure.