This building, originally built in 1930 by
architect J.B. White, was called the
Gilbert Building. It was renamed the
Ardmoreite Building in 1966 when it
became the home of The Daily
Ardmoreite. Between 1930 and 1966
many businesses called this property
home including Oklahoma Gas and
Electric, the Masonic Lodge and the
Ardmore Little Theater. The area used
by the Little Theater on the ground
floor can still be recognized as having a
catwalk, balcony seating, stage frame and a huge
Viking head. And until 1975, the paper's press
units were housed in the orchestra pit. The
Ardmoreite decided to entomb the old press in
concrete in the former orchestra pit rather than
try to remove it.
The Masons used the fifth floor of the
building for meetings and socializing. The area
has distinct and beautiful architectural work on
the upper floors. There was a small snack shop
and grill in the lobby in the early years that
served hamburgers, sandwiches, chips, etc.
This building has been home to four radio
stations, three dentists, four ranchers, six
oil companies, two photography shops
three insurance companies, two doctors
of medicine, three financial companies,
a credit service, a law firm, a television
station, a newspaper, an electric
company, a cosmetics firm, a roofing
company, a Masonic Temple
and a dried
meat manufacturer.
The building has three elevators, two of which
are freight elevators that are still operated
manually. The third elevator was automated in
the early 1970's. The building's basement area
has been used for a storm shelter for the public
when there is severe local weather.
The Ardmoreite sign on the southwest corner
of the building was renovated in 1996 to include
lighting and is very visible at night.
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