Oklahoma's National Register of Historic Places

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ID Number SG100006632
Historic Name DANIEL WEBSTER HIGH SCHOOL HISTORIC DISTRICT
Description of Significance DANIEL WEBSTER HIGH SCHOOL HISTORIC DISTRICT IS ELIGIBLE FOR INCLUSION IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES AT THE LOCAL LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE UNDER CRITERIA A AND CRITERIA C. ITS PERIOD OF SIGNIFICANCE IS FROM 1938-1970, TO INCLUDE THE DATE OF CONSTRUCTION OF THE PRIMARY BUILDINGS, THE PROGRESSIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM CURRICULUM AND THE INTEGRATION OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS INTO THE SCHOOL IN 1955. IT IS ELIGIBLE UNDER CRITERIA A UNDER THE CATEGORY OF EDUCATION AND ETHNIC HERITAGE: BLACK DUE TO IT BEING THE FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOL IN THE TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND POSSIBLY IN NORTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA, TO END SCHOOL SEGREGATION AND INTEGRATE AFTER THE BROWN VS THE TOPEKA BOARD OF EDUCATION SUPREME COURT RULING IN 1954. THE SCHOOL ENROLLED ITS FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENTS IN THE FALL OF 1955. IT IS ALSO ELIGIBLE UNDER CRITERIA A DUE TO ITS EARLY EXPERIMENTAL USE OF THE PROGRESSIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM IN THE 1930S-1940S. IT IS ALSO ELIGIBLE UNDER CRITERION A FOR ITS ASSOCIATION WITH THE NEW DEAL PROGRAMS OF THE 1930S-1940S. IT IS ALSO ELIGIBLE UNDER CRITERIA C DUE TO THE ARCHITECTURAL STYLE OF THE PRIMARY BUILDINGS. THE FIRST BUILDINGS WERE CONSTRUCTED BY NEW DEAL PROGRAMS, IN THE 1930S AND 1940S. THE ARCHITECTS CHOSE TO BUILD THE MAIN BUILDING, DANIEL WEBSTER HIGH SCHOOL, IN THE ART DECO STYLE WHICH WAS POPULAR AT THE TIME. IT IS RARE FOR PUBLIC WORKS ADMINISTRATION (PWA) PROJECTS TO EXHIBIT ELABORATE ARCHITECTURAL STYLES AND DETAILING. THESE WERE OFTEN SIMPLE, HEAVY AND LACKED ORNAMENTATION. DANIEL WEBSTER HIGH SCHOOL IS EXEMPLARY EXAMPLE OF PWA ART DECO STYLE ARCHITECTURE BUILT IN 1938. THE STADIUM IS AN EXAMPLE OF A WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION (WPA) PROJECT. THE WPA HIRED LOCALS TO COMPLETE CIVIC PROJECTS TO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION. THESE PROJECTS OFTEN INCLUDED SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES. THE SIGNIFICANT DATES FOR THIS DISTRICT ARE 1938 THE YEAR THE MAIN BUILDING AND GYM WERE CONSTRUCTED UNDER THE PWA, 1941 THE YEAR THE STADIUM WAS CONSTRUCTED UNDER THE WPA AND 1955, THE YEAR IT BECAME AN INTEGRATED SCHOOL. LISTED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES ON JUNE 10, 2021.
Current Name SAME
Address 1919 WEST 40TH STREET
City TULSA
County TULSA
Lot 4-23; 7-26; 8-27
Block 1; 2; 3-4; 5
Current Section
Township
Range
Type DISTRICT
Historic Function EDUCATION: SCHOOL; RECREATION: SPORTS FACILITY
Current Function EDUCATION: SCHOOL; RECREATION: SPORTS FACILITY; AGRICULTURAL: HORTICULTURAL FACILITY
Area Significance 1 ETHNIC HERITAGE: BLACK; EDUCATION; POLITICS/GOVERNMENT
Area Significance 2 ARCHITECTURE
Date Prepared DECEMBER 2019
Year Built 1938-1970
Original Site YES
Architect/Builder ARCHITECT: JOHN DUNCAN FORSYTH; ENGINEER: ARTHUR M. ATKINSON; ARCHITECT: WILLIAM H. WOLAVER; ARCHITECT: ROBERT KERR; LANDSCAPER: DOUGHTERY-VINSON; CONTRACTOR: COLEMAN, JOHNSTON, CLYMA, INC.
Architectural Style ART DECO; MODERN: NO STYLE
Roof Material MEMBRANE
Wall Material BRICK W/ CAST STONE ACCENTS
Window Material ALUMINUM
Door Material ALUMINUM
Decorative Details
Condition GOOD-EXCELLENT
Comments LISTED ON 06/10/2021.
Restricted