There are so many abandoned places in Oklahoma! This is a list of the top three abandoned places in Oklahoma. Browse through all abandoned places in Oklahoma
Coleman Theater is an old historic theater in Miami city, Oklahoma. The theater which belonged to a rich local who made a fortune out of mining was built in the late 1920s. It was later abandoned in 1968 and left to decay in the middle of a state route (US route 66) in Miami.
A retired local miner George Coleman provided the finances to begin the construction of a state of the art theater in the city of Miami. Coleman who was a movie and events enthusiast wanted to build a theater so big and of European standard. Before changing his mind to build a theater, Coleman intended to build a commercial premise with micro theaters inside. After contacting the Boller Brother’s architectures (famous architectural farm) he changed his initial plans to a mega theater. Boller Brothers architectural farm together with the Rucks Bandit constructors worked together to bring the dream to life for 600,000 US dollars. The theater which had the largest television set in the world at that time was the biggest theater in the biggest theater in the west.
Though this did not contribute much to its downfall, the Masonic lodge hall that was for the VIPs was consumed by a fire shortly after the opening of the theater. The room was left vacant for years since it was the beginning of the great depression. The room was used by a local artist for years as George Coleman who was also a Masonic member provided an alternative room. The building's abandonment came later in 1968 due to financial difficulties. This happened 23 yrs after George Coleman’s death.
The restoration of the theater started in the 1980s but not much work was ever done. Coleman’s family later donated the theater to the city of Miami. A few years later it was named a natural historic place. Currently, the restoration processes are still ongoing and are almost 90% complete. The community donated a huge sum of money and labor in terms of volunteers to restore their beloved landmark. Today the historic theater still hosts small events and shows to help raise funds to finish the renovation.
Some main sections of the theater are fully renovated and open to the general public. The biggest conference center in the whole theater is open for booking. The ballroom which was never finished during its construction is now complete. The theater remains the grandest and the most preferred site by local and international tourists. Although before reopening, supervision was conducted to ensure the safety of the building, we cannot rule out traces of asbestos fibers in the premises that are hazardous to health. Asbestos was used in the construction of old 1880s buildings. The theater is said to belong to the community and will be fully open to the general public for booking and events hosting at cheaper prices after its renovation.
As the name suggests, Picher was a former mining town named after Picher Lead Mining Company owner. The town that was the best in the Tri-state mining district existed for almost 10 decades before it was deserted and residents relocated. Mining which led to its establishment also led to its downfall and desertion.
Picher town located in Ottawa county of Oklahoma United States was established in the early years of the 20th century. The town which was mainly occupied by native Indians came to popularity and major facelift when several mining companies built camps in the area to exploit zinc and lead. Picher grew when miners flocked the town, raising the population to over 12,000 people. Schools, homesteads, businesses, and stores sprawled the region making it the most productive town in the whole Tri-state district. At some point, the town was the capital City of Ottawa County. Only to be abandoned years later.
Picher mines during their prime days produced several toxic lead and zinc wastes from their mines. This led to contamination of water and soil in the region. Because the company frequently pumped the water out of the mines many residents never felt the effect of the poisonous water in the town. These wastes from water and soil affected the majority of the children who were found to be highly poisoned by lead.
After the mining stopped in 1967, further studies and research by the government showed that Picher had an extremely high concentration of toxic wastes on soil surfaces and water. Efforts to control the environmental hazards proved to be futile forcing the government to relocate the residents. By the year 2000, the majority of the town residents had been relocated leaving behind only 20 diehard residents who refused to leave with the rest. Most of the diehards were driven out by a tornado that struck the town in 2008.
The entire townsite of Picher was declared uninhabitable by the government and was officially closed in 2009. Six homes and one business remain as one diehard still lives in the town. A tornado that struck the town in 2008 caused further destruction to the abandoned ruins, collapsing most of them. Some of the structures in the town were declared national historic monuments and are currently preserved. The rest of the buildings are in extreme ruins due to the effect of the tornado. These buildings are up for demolition.
The whole townsite of Picher is contaminated by the toxic mine wastes from its operational days. The area is recorded to be the most toxic region in the United States of America. It has high levels of concentration of various heavy metals on its surface. Despite the toxic waste concentration, major digging of the town weakened the ground making it unstable. Due to these environmental hazards, the townsite is closed to the general public. Some events such as Christmas parades are still held in the town by the former residents.
Located in Okmulgee, Oklahoma is an old abandoned 1900s hotel "Hotel Sparks". The hotel which has had many names over the years is currently abandoned and is deteriorating in despair. Under the management of different owners, the hotel changed to at least three names. Bateman hotel, Huffman hotel, and hotel Elmo are some of the many names the hotel has had over its lifespan.
Hotel Spark was built in 1922 when the financier and owner George W. Spark decided to bring to life his long-life dream of a complex hotel in rural Okmulgee. The three-storey building was constructed from locally available materials and contractors. The hotel at its completion had beautiful and classic fully furnished rooms and dining areas.
It had a capacity of 21 rooms and amenities that tired the travelers yawned for. They mostly liked the warm and cold bath and heating elements that provided warmth during winter just to mention a few. Although it started on the right foot, the hotel faced turbulence over the years that led to its demise.
Only a year after its official inauguration and opening of business the hotel spark was sold to Rufus Bateman. Bateman was a known colonel who had a series of hotels under his wing and management. After seeing potential in the hotel, he purchased it from the original owners. Bateman rebranded the hotel and changed the name to Bateman Hotel.
As if it was cursed, the hotel did not last as misfortunes followed it in its short period of operation. The manager of the hotel, a drunkard, was arrested several times in the hotel premises with illegal possessions of alcohol and running a disorderly house. Bateman became frustrated with his hotel’s tainted name and sold it. The hotel which had now changed hands a second time did well in the hands of its new owner under the name Hotel Elmo. Louis and Clara Smith would become the fourth owners of the hotel in 1960. The couple’s main and frequent customers were students from the nearby college. By 1972, the hotel which had some sections turned into rental apartments was sold to Huffman Willie who changed the name to Huffman Hotel. The hotel business did well until the late 1980s when an assault incident led to its permanent closure and abandonment.
After decades of lying unattended to and abandoned, the hotel caught fire this year that nearly brought it down to its knees. Though it was contained, the fire did incredible damage to the already dilapidated structure. Today the hotel stands in ruins with no hope of ever being restored. Its burned bricked walls and concrete remains a ruin and an eyesore to the community. The hotel does not allow visits to the property. Due to the unstable walls, the three-story partially burned building is a hazard waiting to happen.