518 West Pine

Built circa 1909, the original owner was George Southard, President of Independence Gypsum. The Southards lived in France and their home was decorated with treasures from that country.

Mrs. Southard taught French and etiquette to young people. The music room housed the only orchastral or player organ in Enid.

505 West Elm

N.A. McGill, a farmer, bought this house in 1913. It is a fine example of the four square which is the Prairie style in its most common vernacular form. Typically it has two ranks of windows and an off center entry.

Mr. McGills daughter, Mary, became principal of the Kenwood School built in 1902 which was replaced by the Lincoln School in 1926, designed by R.W. Shaw.

Another view

412 West Elm

Lulu Whitson, the original owner, was a member of the Frantz family so prominent in early Enid. This home was constructed in 1904 and is a good example of architecture which is in transition between two styles.

The irregular roof line, fish scale shingles in the gables, large wrap-around veranda, and floor plan are Victorian. The wide eaves show Prairie influence. The large stained glass window illuminating the staircase is a special feature of the house.

Another view

408 West Elm

The Edmund and Grace Frantz home was designed in 1906 by A.A. Crowell. The home is the older of the two surviving examples of Neo-Classical style in Enid. A prominent feature of the house is a front gable extended into a temple front porch.

Fluted ionic columns support the multiple storied porch. The second story balcony is accented by a turned post railing. The west side porch is supported by a smaller, unfluted version of the front entry columns.

320 West Elm

Originally a single family home built for Louis B. McClellan, President of Enid Lumber in 1908, this house was later divided into a duplex. It is also historically known as the Presbyterian Manse used by Dr. Edwards from 1920 - 1926.

324 West Elm

This home was built for F.B. Hodgden, a travel and livestock agent. The Hodgden family was one of the original families to Enid.

The structure has not been altered significantly since its construction in circa 1907. The gazebo that once was shared by the neighborhood no longer exists.

402 West Elm

Photo courtesy of Robby and Melissa Bangs

Charles & Gerald Brown

Gerald was born at 304 Kenwood Blvd, which is now 400 W Maple. He was the second generation funeral director at the Brown Funeral Home.

They were raised there except for a few years when they were at 424 N Jefferson.

Gerald died in 1983. Charles married in N.M. and lives there with his wife Jane.

Mary E Parker Brown and her brother Hubert were born in Indian Territory, which later became Enid.

Charles Parker, their father, was one of Enid's 1st attorneys and died when Mary was a teenager.

She married Gerald Brown Sr. and opened Brown Funeral Home in 1926. She worked at the funeral home until two years before her death.

Hubert lived in NYC as an adult.

Nellie Cowles Taft married Harold Taft and raised six children in Enid; Harold, Patsy, Bob, Annie, Mary Lou, and Judy.

She had a milinary (hat shop and accessories)  on the N side of the Square in downtown Enid.

Gerald Brown Sr when the funeral home 1st opened (sitting at desk).

The business was downstairs and the family lived upstairs.