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Thursday, April 1, 2010

Oklahoma Favorite

I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed the variety of architecture I saw in Oklahoma.  There were so many interesting buildings, both new and old.  Most of my enjoyment came from the buildings that have been preserved from the wrecking ball.  Preserving our history and the integrity of these buildings is important for all generations.  It also is a reminder of the strong men and women who braved so much to build our nation.

Muskogee’s official founding was in 1876, even though settlements had existed in the area for decades.
The Cherokee and Creek tribes had established settlements near Muskogee, with the town being incorporated into both Indian Nations. The Creeks, recognizing the economic value of the location and made Muskogee the Capital of the Creek Nation in 1836.
It was not until 1888 that a non-citizen of Indian Territory could legally even own land in this area.

Charles Haskell came to Muskogee in 1901 and he organized and built most of the railroads running into the city. He built and owned fourteen brick buildings in the city. Through his influence, Muskogee grew to be a center of business and industry with a population of over twenty thousand inhabitants in a matter of years. Haskell often told others that he hoped Muskogee would become the "Queen City of the Southwest."


Many of Muskogee's streets in the downtown district still show their original brick structure and buildings dating back to Haskell’s era are interspersed with modern architecture. 

We took a lot of pictures in Muskogee, OK...but I'll save them for another day.  Today I want to show you a great find that was a little off the main downtown area.

This house is one of those structures that makes me take a second look. 
We had pulled up to the stop sign along the side of this house and I immediately noticed the little bump out window along the front. What a great spot to cozy up and read a book?

The next thing I noticed was the fact there was a Tea Room in this house.  Unfortunately, this was Sunday morning when we drove through Muskogee on our way home.
Miss Addie's Tea Room was closed.  Her signs on the window indicate she has live entertainment on weekends, Brunch from 10-2 (with Spirits) and baked goods available for purchase.
Intrigued to see more we pulled around to the front of the building to get a picture of the full beauty of the old house.  Do you see it?  A Pub! Miss Addie's Pub!
Now my husband will eat at a tea room...if it's the ONLY place in town open and there is NO OTHER CHOICE!  But I think Miss Addie has it all figured out...Ladies to the right...brunch at the Tea Room.  Men to the left... passing the time until the brunch is over.  What a clever woman that Miss Addie is! 
My husband and I were both sorry this place was closed.  We would really have liked to go inside and check out the decor on each side.  I would also like to know just how many men drop their "ladies" off and hang out on the pub side?  So many questions...to be answered another day.

Till tomorrow...
debi

1 Cowgurls said:

Terri said...

So enjoyed your tour! Think we have a new destination on our map. Beautiful old building!
We live in a new home, fancy by my standards. Bought this place knowing we wouldn't be here long.Thinking it would be easy to sell when husband retires.
My grown daughter thinks it's a dream home. So impressed we finally were able to afford something new.
Me? I don't like it at all! Looks just like all the other cookie cutter houses in Dallas. There's no character to the house. In this day and age I need to be thankful for having a roof over my head, and I am. This is just to say, I have lived in both now, New and old. Think I will always prefer the charm,character and craftsmanship of an older home.