Old North Tower, University of Central Oklahoma

Old North Tower (or Old North) is the oldest building on the University of Central Oklahoma campus in Edmond, Oklahoma, and the oldest building of higher education in the state of Oklahoma. Originally built in 1892, it was the first permanent building on the Territorial Normal School campus.[2][3]

Old North Tower
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
University of Central Oklahoma's Old North
Location	University of Central Oklahoma campus, Edmond, Oklahoma
Nearest city	Edmond, Oklahoma
Coordinates	35°39′21″N 97°28′25″W
Built	1892
Architect	J.G. Haskell
NRHP reference No.	71000671[1]
Added to NRHP	June 21, 1971

History

The construction of Old North, designed by J.G. Haskell began in the summer of 1892, and classes began in January 1893.

Early in Old North's history the building was deemed unsafe. In 1911, the structure was set for demolition, but instead was renovated.[4]

The most major milestone for Old North was when the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.[5]

Renovation

The university closed Old North in 2001 because of structural and safety issues. Old North was left dormant until funds could be raised to renovate the building.[6] The $11 million of renovations include the addition of an east wing, an amphitheater, additional maintenance space, and elevators to make the building ADA compliant.[3] The building was the centerpiece of UCO's Always Central campaign to raise $40 million; however, the renovations were scheduled to be the last portion of the campaign.[7] In 2017, the building officially reopened.[8]

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
2. "UCO: History of The University of Central Oklahoma". uco.edu. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
3. "UCO: Old North". uco.edu. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
4. "University of Central Oklahoma nears fundraising goal to reopen historic building | News OK". newsok.com. November 3, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
5. "AssetDetail". focus.nps.gov. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
6. Gollob, Beth (September 23, 2004). "UCO seeks funding to revamp Old North | News OK". newsok.com. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
7. "University of Central Oklahoma gets $500,000 gift to help restore Oklahoma's oldest higher education building | News OK". newsok.com. October 7, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
8. McNutt, Kathryn (April 13, 2017). "Building a New Life For Old North". newok.com. Retrieved November 8, 2017.

External links

• University of Central Oklahoma facilities profile