Craig County Courthouse Annex – Vinita

Address:	Delaware and Scraper Streets, Vinita, Oklahoma	County	Craig
Started:		Completed	1941
Agencies:	WPA	NRHP:	August 23, 1984

Current Usage

Description:

This rectangular shaped (105′ x 80′) building is constructed of rusticated randomly laid native stone. The flat roof has parapets and stepped cornices over the entryways. The parapets are topped with concrete coping. The main entryway consists of double-glass doors with a hood and a concrete inscription which reads “Craig County Courthouse Annex.” Covered now by a wood lattice work, the elongated windows are framed by pilasters and have concrete sills and lintels. There is a concrete motif above each window. A concrete block addition to the south side of the building has impaired its integrity.
This structure is significant for its vernacular design which incorporates elongated windows framed by pilasters with concrete sills and lintels, stepped cornices, and concrete inlays. It has economic significance as well in that the wages (for some 60,000 man hours of labor) earned from its construction were infused back into the community helping to stimulate the depressed economy. Employment on this project constituted for many men the only means whereby they could feed their families.[1]

VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION: Lots 16-18, Block 74, Vinita original.

The Courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[2]

The WPA constructed this annex to the 1920s Craig County Courthouse in the early 1940s, but it didn’t remain connected to the courthouse for long. After WWII, the building housed a candy factory.

The rear of the building was destroyed due to an electrical fire in 2012, but the remainder of the building, now privately owned, is still in use.[3]

Sources:

1. Oklahoma Landmarks Inventory Nomination
2. National Register of Historic Places – https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/AssetDetail?assetID=9efd46a5-a212-49d5-a37b-99fc0bae87e8
3. The Living New Deal – https://livingnewdeal.org/projects/craig-county-courthouse-annex-vinita-ok/
4. http://www.newson6.com/story/20188373/burned-vinita-building-has-varied-unique-history
5. http://www.newson6.com/story/20180408/historic-vinita-building-goes-up-in-flames
6. http://landmarkhunter.com/197180-craig-county-courthouse-annex/#Map

Supported Documents:

1. WPA Properties Craig County – Craig County Courthouse
2. National Register of Historic Places Support Document.
3. National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form

Photos: