National Register Record for MOTON SCHOOL CAMPUS HISTORIC DISTRICT

Historic Name: MOTON SCHOOL CAMPUS HISTORIC DISTRICT
Current Name: MOTON SCHOOL CAMPUS HISTORIC DISTRICT
Address: 208 W. SEMINOLE STREET
City: TAFT            County: Muskogee
Section:            Township:            Range:           
Description of significance: THE MOTON SCHOOL CAMPUS HISTORIC DISTRICT IN TAFT, MUSKOGEE COUNTY, OKLAHOMA, IS LOCALLY SIGNIFICANT UNDER CRITERION A IN THE AREAS OF EDUCATION AND ETHNIC HERITAGE/BLACK, WITH A PERIOD OF SIGNIFICANCE OF 1949 TO 1975. THE PERIOD OF SIGNIFICANCE BEGINS WITH THE CONSTRUCTION DATE OF THE EARLIEST EXTANT EDUCATIONAL BUILDING ON THE CAMPUS AND EXTENDS TO 1975 TO ACCOUNT FOR THE DISTRICT’S CONTINUOUS USE AS A PUBLIC-SCHOOL CAMPUS AND CENTER OF COMMUNITY LIFE. THE CAMPUS, WITH ITS MIDCENTURY MODERN MOTON HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING, REPRESENTS THIS ALL-BLACK TOWN’S EFFORTS TO ENDOW LOCAL STUDENTS WITH QUALITY PUBLIC EDUCATION IN AN ERA OF SYSTEMATIZED SCHOOL SEGREGATION. IN THIS WAY, THE HISTORIC DISTRICT IS AN EXAMPLE OF AUTONOMY IN BLACK EDUCATION THAT CONTRIBUTED TO SOCIAL COHESION. THE HISTORIC DISTRICT REMAINS A CENTRAL GATHERING PLACE IN THIS ALL-BLACK TOWN.

Type:
Historic Function: School
Current Function: City Hall
Area of Significance 1: Education
Area of Significance 2: Black Heritage
Architectural Style: Modern Movement
Architect: DAVIS & STONE - ARCHITECTS. HALE BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION CO. - CONTRACTOR. I.V. TOWELL JR. GENERAL CONSTRUCTION CO. - CONTRACTOR
Year Built: CA. 1949            Original Site: YES
Condition: Fair (somewhat in need of maintenance)
Restricted: N
Documentation Source: