Preservation Oklahoma, Inc.

06/08/2026

Next on our list of Most Endangered Places in Oklahoma is the Walters Depot. The historic train depot in Walters is an irreplaceable landmark that tells the story of the community’s founding, growth and connection to Oklahoma’s rail era. It once served as a vital gateway for people, goods and agricultural commerce, shaping Walters’ economic and social life. The depot was completed in 1920 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. It is significant for its role in transportation in Cotton County. The depot faces serious threats from age, deferred maintenance and limited local resources, which can put it at risk of irreversible deterioration.

06/05/2026

Up first on the 2026 list of Most Endangered Places in Oklahoma is the Commerce Building in Okmulgee. It stands as a striking architectural landmark. Built in 1921 at 117-121 South Grand, this Beaux Arts structure was erected during Okmulgee’s early 20th century oil boom and remains the tallest and most grandiose commercial building from that era. It features an ornate terra cotta exterior, detailed pilasters, frieze work, and classical proportions. The structure is 56,000 square feet, spanning seven floors, a mezzanine and a full basement. It’s located in the Okmulgee Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a defining symbol of Okmulgee’s rich historical identity.

Why It’s Endangered: The Commerce Building sits vacant and at risk of further deterioration without active preservation efforts. Its long-time owner, who cared for and protected the property while working toward its future, recently passed away. It’s in need of new ownership to steward it for its next 100 years.

06/03/2026

Thank you to everyone who came to our Most Endangered Places event last night. It was a great meeting of people passionate about historic preservation. Thank you to and for allowing us to use a space in the beautiful Pioneer Telephone Building, where we could see both finished and available spaces. We would also like to thank sponsors and . And thank you to our emcee and .cash for presenting her project on the Commerce Building in Okmulgee to show the possibilities. We will be rolling out more info on each endangered place in the coming days.

05/31/2026

On a visit to Tulsa, and can never get enough of the Tulsa Expo Pavilion. What a beautiful art deco building.

05/28/2026

05/27/2026

05/15/2026

We are excited to announce we’ve received $5,000 from National Trust Preservation Fund.

The funding will allow us to complete strategic planning for the organization to position us for growth at Preservation Oklahoma!

Grants from the National Trust Preservation Funds are awarded to nonprofit organizations and public agencies across the country to support wide-ranging activities including consultant services for rehabilitating buildings, technical assistance for tourism that promotes historic resources, and the development of materials for education and outreach campaigns. For more information on national preservation grant funding: https://savingplaces.org/grants

05/12/2026

Another highlight for Preservation Month is Preservation El Reno. They have been working to save the old Canadian County Jail. Built between 1904 and 1907, the building was designed by Solomon Layton. It includes a stable building behind it as well. For more information on this project, follow them on Facebook.