Address: Vicinity of Blocker, OklahomaCounty: Pittsburg
Started: Completed: 1936
Agencies:WPANHRP:September 8, 1988

Current Usage:

Description:

The classic one-room building, the Tipton Ridge school is a single story, rectangular (36′ x 23′) structure constructed of cut and roughly coursed native sandstone. The masonry is crude; the mortar is incised. The roof, covered with metal sheets, is gabled; the west front door is recessed behind an archway covered by a small porch. Window openings with cut stone sills have been enclosed with wood inserts; a small metal building has been added to the northeast corner. Neither alteration impeaches the integrity of the structure.
Construction of the school building provided work opportunities and some economic security for unemployed coal miners in a remote area where mines had been closed for some five years and residents had faced the prospect of starvation. A new physical atmosphere supportive of learning also resulted for students previously confined to a poorly lighted wood structure. Architecturally the building is unique in the community in terms of its type, style, scale, materials and workmanship. Now used as a hunting lodge, the structure is a good example of adaptive reuse.

VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION: From state highway No. 31 just north of Blocker take the first unpaved county road that goes north, following it for approximately four and one-half miles. The building is on the east side of the road, occupying property that begins at a point 105 yards south of the NW corner of the SW 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of Sec. 34, T 8 N, R 17 E, and then runs south on the section line 105 yards, east 70 yards, north 105 yards, and west 70 yards.

Notes:

Sources:

  1. Oklahoma Landmarks Inventory Nomination

Supported Documents:

  1. WPA Properties Pittsburg County – Tipton Ridge School

Photos: