Franklin Hall, Goodwell, Oklahoma, NRHP-listed
Franklin Hall is a residential building in Goodwell, Oklahoma, built around 1909-1910 by local builder Frank Shinville. It has a simple rectangular structure with a sloped asphalt roof and concrete walls, designed without following any particular architectural style.
The building dates from the earliest years of the Panhandle Agricultural Institute, which later became Oklahoma Panhandle State University. After World War II, it was converted into apartments for married students and faculty, and it remains one of the only surviving structures from the school's founding era.
Franklin Hall started as a dormitory for female students, reflecting how housing was organized by gender in early student life. The building shows how student living arrangements and daily routines changed as the school itself evolved.
The building has been partially closed in recent years due to safety concerns and needed repairs to meet current building codes. Visitors should check access conditions beforehand, as portions may not be open to the public.
It is the only surviving building from the school's founding period and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in the early 2000s. This makes it a rare connection to the earliest days of higher education development in the Oklahoma Panhandle.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
