Surety Building (Muskogee, Oklahoma) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Surety Building
|
|
Surety Building, 2015
|
|
 Location in Oklahoma
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 117 N. Third, Muskogee, Oklahoma |
|---|---|
| Built | 1910 |
| Architectural style | Chicago |
| MPS | Pre-Depression Muskogee Skyscrapers TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 86002156 |
| Added to NRHP | September 4, 1986 |
The Surety Building in Muskogee, Oklahoma is a tall, eight-story building that was built in 1910. It was originally constructed for a company called Southern Surety Company.
This building is one of five important "skyscraper" buildings in Muskogee. These buildings are between five and ten stories tall and were all built between 1910 and 1912. The other famous buildings from this time are:
- Baltimore Hotel
- Manhattan Building
- Railroad Exchange Building
- Severs Hotel
In 1986, the Surety Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list of buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history.
Surety Building: A Historic Skyscraper
The Surety Building was built in 1910 in the center of Muskogee. It stands at the corner of Broadway and Third Street. Building it cost about $325,000, which was a lot of money back then!
This building was the very first one in Eastern Oklahoma to be called a skyscraper. It was used for many different offices. For example, government workers, lawyers, oil companies, and land developers all had offices here.
What Does the Building Look Like?
We don't know who the architect (the person who designed the building) was. However, the building's design is known as the Chicago Style. It also shows features similar to the work of a famous architect named Louis Sullivan.
The building has a strong, rectangular shape with a flat roof. It features fancy decorations around the top edges. It also has a detailed base that is two stories tall, and its windows are arranged in vertical lines.
Surety Building Today: Homes for Seniors
The Surety Building has been given a new purpose! It was changed into affordable apartments especially for senior citizens. This means older adults can live there at a reasonable cost.
The building now has 18 apartments with one bedroom and 19 apartments with two bedrooms. These apartments opened in 2006. The money to change the building came from a special government program that helps create housing for people with lower incomes.
