Manhattan Building (Muskogee, Oklahoma) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Manhattan Building
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The Manhattan Building (a.k.a. The Phoenix Clothing Building)
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 Location in Oklahoma
Location in the United States
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| Location | 325 W. Broadway, Muskogee, Oklahoma |
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| Built | 1911 |
| Architectural style | Chicago |
| MPS | Pre-Depression Muskogee Skyscrapers TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 83002095 |
| Added to NRHP | August 11, 1983 |
The Manhattan Building, also known as the Phoenix Building, is a historic skyscraper in Muskogee, Oklahoma. It has eight stories and was built in 1911. The building was first planned to be the home of the Manhattan Construction Company. This company was one of Oklahoma's first businesses.
The building was made with a strong concrete frame and gray bricks. It had many windows to let in light and fresh air. This was very important because most large buildings back then did not have air conditioning. The building's style is called Sullivanesque. This means it looks similar to buildings designed by the famous architect Louis Sullivan.
The entrance has two-story columns, and the second floor has a decorative ledge called a cornice. Inside, the lobby is two stories tall with tiled walls. A small apartment, called a penthouse, was added to the roof in 1957. The Manhattan Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 because of its special design.
Building History
By 1911, the Manhattan Construction Company was already 15 years old. They had built many important buildings in Oklahoma. Some of these include:
- Guthrie Convention Hall
- Oklahoma City's First National Bank Tower
- Oral Roberts University (Tulsa) Prayer Tower
The Manhattan Building is one of five tall buildings in Muskogee. These buildings range from five to ten stories high. They were all built between 1910 and 1912. These buildings are part of a study about early skyscrapers in Muskogee. The other tall buildings are:
- Railroad Exchange Building
- Severs Hotel
- Surety Building
- Baltimore Hotel
Design and Purpose
The Manhattan Building was designed by Charles H. Sudhaelter and Co. Their designs were inspired by the famous architect Louis Henri Sullivan.
Laurence H. Rooney was the founder of Manhattan Construction Company. He decided not to use the building as his company's main office. Instead, he sold it to a popular store called Phoenix Clothing Company. He made the first floor bigger for the store. He also added a large electric sign that spun around. This sign reached three stories above the roof!
See also
In Spanish: Manhattan Building (Muskogee) para niños
