The One Small Town In Oklahoma With More Historic Buildings Than Any Other
By Ashley|Published August 19, 2022
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Ashley
Author
Ashley has lived in Oklahoma for 30 years and is the Oklahoma staff writer for onlyinyourstate.com. When she isn't writing about Oklahoma, she enjoys visiting the beach and exploring new areas.
Guthrie, Oklahoma, is one of those small towns that’s full of charm, rich in history, and beaming with culture. It was the original state capital of Oklahoma until 1910 when it moved to Oklahoma City. The downtown area of Guthrie has so many historic buildings that are being restored that it’s actually the largest Historic Preservation District in the nation. When you walk the streets of Guthrie, it’s like stepping back in time.
Guthrie was established in 1887 as a railroad town and after the Land Rush in 1889, over 10,000 settlers made Guthrie home. It became the first territorial capital, then the first state capital until it was moved to Oklahoma City in 1910.
Today, Guthrie is a thriving town rich in history and beautiful Victorian architecture. The Guthrie Historic District is home to more than 2,000 buildings and is a National Historic Landmark. It's like stepping back in time when you visit here.
From Victorian architecture to the Wild West spirit, Guthrie is a beautiful gem in the Sooner State that just might be the most unique town in the state. Everywhere you walk in town, there is a charming store, restaurant, or business to explore.
You'll see many of these signs around town that give the history of the building that sits behind it. There are so many interesting stories, so we highly recommend you take the time to read them.
Some buildings will be open so you can see the inside of them but others will be closed. Guthrie has many ghost stories to be told, so if you would like to hear more about the haunted side, consider taking a Guthrie Ghost Walk tour. More information can be found on the link at the end of the article.
Guthrie is also home to one of the world's largest Masonic Centers - The Scottish Rite Temple. It's a stunning piece of architecture to tour. It was built in 1919 and is definitely a place you'll want to visit to see the architecture.
Another historic (and fun) place to visit is the Oklahoma Frontier Drugstore Museum. They have a vast collection of items and memorabilia associated with pharmacies from the Frontier days.
If you also enjoy visiting haunted places, there is a haunted B&B in Guthrie – Stone Lion Inn that’s famous for being one of the most haunted places in the state. They offer murder mystery dinners or you can book an overnight stay and enjoy the creepy sounds at night.
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