Oklahoma's National Register of Historic Places

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ID Number SG100002216
Historic Name ENID HIGH SCHOOL OBSERVATORY
Description of Significance THE ENID HIGH SCHOOL OBSERVATORY IN ENID, OKLAHOMA IS ELIGIBLE FOR LISTING IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES AT THE STATE LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE UNDER CRITERION A IN THE AREA OF EDUCATION. LOCATED ON THE ROOF OF ENID HIGH SCHOOL, THE OBSERVATORY, WITH ITS SEMI-SPHERICAL STEEL DOME, IS SIGNIFICANT FOR ITS ASSOCIATION WITH THE NATIONAL DEFENSE EDUCATION ACT OF 1958 AND ATTEMPTS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF SCIENCE EDUCATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE POST-SPUTNIK ERA. THE PERIOD OF SIGNIFICANCE BEGINS IN 1963, THE YEAR THE OBSERVATORY WAS CONSTRUCTED, AND ENDS IN 1968. THE LATTER YEAR RECOGNIZES THE CONTINUED USE OF THE OBSERVATORY AS AN AID TO ASTRONOMY EDUCATION AT THE HIGH SCHOOL AND CORRESPONDS TO THE NATIONAL REGISTER’S 50-YEAR GUIDELINE. DURING THE PERIOD OF SIGNIFICANCE, THE ENID HIGH SCHOOL OBSERVATORY WAS THE ONLY HIGH SCHOOL OBSERVATORY IN THE STATE AND REMAINS SO TO THIS DATE. LISTED 3/15/2018.
Current Name
Address 611 WEST WABASH AVENUE
City ENID
County GARFIELD
Lot
Block
Current Section
Township
Range
Type BUILDING
Historic Function EDUCATION: RESEARCH FACILITY/OBSERVATORY
Current Function EDUCATION: RESEARCH FACILITY/OBSERVATORY
Area Significance 1 EDUCATION
Area Significance 2
Date Prepared 2018
Year Built 1963-1968
Original Site YES
Architect/Builder SHAW, R.W.; ASTRO-DOME, INC
Architectural Style OBSERVATORY
Roof Material
Wall Material
Window Material
Door Material
Decorative Details DOMED OBSERVATORY
Condition GOOD
Comments LISTED MARCH 15, 2018
Restricted