pictures of all kinds of things and knew exactly how to tell that story .” Williams said . “ Writing the narrative , doing the research , analyzing the photographs , the architecture and the history about it . I mean , there was a multi-month process for sure .”
Savage found two distinguishing and unusual features that helped the Lytton Building-Masonic Hall qualify under the criteria for architectural significance .
The first feature is the third floor which was added , operated and owned by the Frontier Lodge No . 6 of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons . Savage found the arrangement unusual to build the upper floor independently from the lower floors .
“ This is one of the first instances of condominium-style building in that the first and second floor were built by Dale Lytton and a third floor was built and owned by the Masons . Although it all went up simultaneously … I think probably part of the reason the damn thing ’ s still standing is because the Masons were involved in the construction .” Williams said . “ I ’ ve had two major brick restoration companies in and they said , you know , it ’ s actually in really good shape . So I think that ’ s a testament to who built it more than
THE SELPH , HOKE , AND WALKER BUILD- INGS … ARE … EXAMPLES OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN STILLWATER .
anything , because it can ’ t be how it was maintained , this place hasn ’ t been maintained in years .”
A UNIQUE STRUCTURE
In 1889 Dale Lytton made the run into the Stillwater area , settling on a farm a few miles southeast of town . Two years later , he moved into Stillwater , started an implement and hardware business and became actively involved in real estate development and civic affairs . He was also one of the first members of Stillwater ’ s Frontier Lodge No . 6 .
According to the Stillwater Masons website , the third floor served as the Masonic Hall until 1950 , when the Frontier Lodge moved to its current location at 322 W . Miller Street . The Hall hosted several groups , including the Payne County Sherrif , who used the ample space as a Grand Jury room . That arrangement soured when the Masons assessed the Sheriff a one-dollar janitorial fee after multiple warnings for not straightening up after jury duty .
The second significant feature is the interior stair with an original opening in the shared wall that gives access to the second floor of the building and the neighboring Pierce Building ’ s second floor .
In 1901 , Dale Lytton and Alice Lytton entered into a party wall agreement with Josephine and C . W . Pierce . Josephine had initially planned for a one-story building but altered those plans to include a second story .
According to Savage , party wall agreements were standard for shared walls built along the dividing lot line . The addition of ground-level entrance and interior stair access to the adjoining building was notable .
Josephine Pierce paid Lytton a sum of $ 100 to “ construct and maintain a good and sufficient fire proof door between said upper stories ,” the Party Wall Agreement in Abstract of Title stated .
The unique architectural design choices clearly show how the early builders of Stillwater formed mutually beneficial agreements with their neighbors that the community is still benefiting from today . Savage highlighted those to make a case for historic status successfully .
AN HISTORIC SETTING
According to the Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office fact sheet , buildings can also be considered if they are associated with the lives of historically significant people . Being home to Otto Gray and his Oklahoma Cowboy Band in the 1920s was not significant enough to be included in the criteria .
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STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE