The Campaign to Preserve the State Capital Publishing Museum
Guthrie Tomorrow Coalition, Inc. dba/State Capital Publishing Museum is a 501(c)3 created to acquire, restore, renovate, preserve, maintain, and recognize the historical significance of the State Capital Publishing Museum building in Guthrie, Oklahoma. On June 26, 2024, the Oklahoma Historical Society signed over the property deed to the Guthrie Tomorrow Coalition, Inc. To learn more about the Guthrie Tomorrow Coalition, Inc., and its efforts to preserve the State Capital Publishing Museum, please visit publishingmuseum.org
State Capital Publishing Museum
301 West Harrison Avenue, Guthrie, OK 73044
Mailing address: PO Box 57, Guthrie, OK 73044
405-282-4123
www.publishingmuseum.org
Built in 1902, the State Capital Publishing Building is one of the crown jewels of Oklahoma history and architecture. It was the fourth home of the State Capital Company, which was organized in 1889 just prior to the first land run. Located in downtown Guthrie, the structure was one of the first in Oklahoma to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
About the State Capital Company
The founder of the State Capital Company, Frank Hilton Greer, hopped a freight train and came to Guthrie, Indian Territory, in April of 1889 with little formal education, some printing experience and $29 in his pocket. From these modest beginnings, Frank Greer built a business that included one of the largest printing operations in the southwest and the three most widely circulated newspapers in Oklahoma.
As the Daily State Capital newspaper grew in influence, so did Greer. In 1890, he became one of the founders of the Oklahoma Press Association. In 1892, he was elected to the Oklahoma Territorial House of Representatives. In 1895, during the administration of Territorial Governor W. C. Renfrow, Greer was designated the official printer of the territory and the Daily State Capital its official newspaper.
In March of 1902, fire destroyed the building and all equipment. Without missing a single issue Greer reorganized. At the time of the fire, Greer was already making plans for an even larger printing operation. He hired Guthrie architect Joseph Foucart to design the new building. On August 7, 1902, the cornerstone to the new State Capital Company building was laid. By October 14 the building was completed.
Learn More
Visit www.publishingmuseum.org
Learn about Guthrie in The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture
Explore the printing and publishing industry The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture
View the National Register of Historic Places listing
