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1900 — It was decided to build a city hall and $4000 was appropriated.
The money came from saloon licenses and fines that had been collected
for drunkenness. The City Hall stood at the southeast corner of Fifth
Street and Grand Avenue. Built of red brick with limestone trim, the
building was quite imposing in a city whose business district included a
few other one-story brick buildings and many false front frame
structures.
In June, a fire destroyed the entire north side of Grand Avenue between
Second and Third Streets, leveling twelve buildings and fifteen
businesses. By October, every building in this block had been rebuilt
with brick. Pabst Brewing Company, owner of one of the burned buildings,
donated two hose carts with six-foot wheels to the city fire department.
Ponca City Oil and Gas Company were organized, and Mayor DeRoberts
became an officer in the company.
1901 — The original frame schoolhouse was cut in half. The front part
was moved to the "new territory" in the northwest part of town that had
just been taken into the school district. The rear half was moved to the
600 block on South Sixth Street for Negro children. J.W. Lynch gave one
of the lots for that building and the school board paid $50 for the
other lot.
James Hutchison was elected mayor. He and his family had made the 1889
land run into Guthrie, and relocated to Ponca City in 1896. A baker by
trade, he was very active in the community and identified with its
growth and prosperity.
Ponca City's population totaled 2,500. The first Electric Light Plant
opened. It was called a direct current system, and was owned by Mr.
Catron.
Western Union telegraph came to Ponca City.
Citizens voted $10,000 in bonds to improve the water system.
Three blocks of old dirt sidewalks on Grand Avenue were replaced with
12-foot wide sidewalks of stone, brick and cement. Stone street
crossings were also added downtown.
Charles F. Calkins built a three story brick building at the corner of
First Street and Grand Avenue to house his store. In the summer, the
Calkins Mercantile would open its doors each morning between 5:00 and
6:00 so customers could shop in the cool of the day. Many arrived in
wagons from towns as far away as Pawnee, Hominy, and Tonkawa.
George H. Brett built a fine home at 305 S. Fifth Street. It extended
from East Oklahoma to East Walnut Avenues, and was the talk of the town.
Mr. Brett was a very industrious merchant and rancher. He owned
implement stores and harness shops in Ponca City and Newkirk, plus three
cattle ranches in Osage and Kay Counties.
1902 — William Jenkins established the town of Kaw, Okla. It was located
east of Ponca City, near the Kay-Osage county line on the banks of the
Arkansas River. The city was named for the Kanza Indians, called Kaw by
the local people.
The Farmers National Bank opened.
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NOTE:
This site is provided by the Ponca City Publishing