Our History
On July 11, 1903, the “Office of the Commission of the Five Civilized Tribes of Indian Territory” allotted Liza Farmer, a half blood Creek Indian, role #1885, by and through the Dawes Act, in Section 21, Township 15 North, Range 18 East, part of the Creek Nation, Indian Territory. This allotment was deeded by P. (Pleasant) Porter, Principal Chief of the Muskogee (Creek) Nation and approved by the United States Secretary of the Interior. A search of the Dawes Rolls, circa 1898-1914 and the “The Final Rolls of Citizens and Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes in Indian Territory” (circa 1906), shows Liza Farmer to be Roll Number 1885, ½ blood Creek Indian (by birth), a “F” (female), and “30” (30 years of age), census number 581 on June 21, 1906. These records also show that she had a daughter at this time, Nellie W. Farmer, who was 4 years old at this census record.
Ms. Farmer and her husband, Nathan K. Farmer, deeded significant lands to the “Muskogee Electric Traction Company” which built a trolley rail system that ran underneath what is now Broadway Street. The Farmer farm was instrumental in bringing food and goods into the City of Muskogee. This trolley also crossed the lands of the Farmer family’s adjacent neighbor and friend, Chief Pleasant Porter, Chief of the Muskogee (Creek) Indians.
The Farmer farm and ranch was so successful that the Farmer Family began building a grand house in early 1910 and completed in 1911 on what is now called Lots 1, 2, & 3 on their farm, said house to be named 2601 West Broadway, Muskogee, OK 74401. The architect is unknown by the author. The “Farmer House” was erected in early-1910 and completed in 1911 as a three story farmhouse, constructed of locally sourced red brick and limestone capstones and roofed with a unique “French Interlocking Clay Tile Roof” built by Ludowici Tile Corporation. Construction materials were often crafted onsite and were intricately placed by craftsman from the Muskogee area. Five brick and tile fireplaces adorn the 6 bedroom, 5 bathroom home. The fireplaces converge at the rooftop to form a “widows peak” from which one can stand upon and see Downtown Muskogee and the lights of Tulsa at dusk.
The “Farmer House” is unique to Muskogee in architectural design, concept, and construction materials. The house is crafted in the “Prairie School” type of architecture made famous by Frank Lloyd Wright and the like. “Prairie School” is a late 19th and 20th architectural style, usually marked by horizontal lines, flat or hipped roofs with broad overhanging eaves, windows grouped in horizontal bands, integration with the landscape, solid construction, craftsmanship, and discipline in the use of ornament.
The ”Farmer House” is one of the last remaining “Prairie School” examples of this period specific and unique design in the City of Muskogee, if not the last of its kind. On January 28, 1911, the Farmer family deeded Lots 1, 2, &3 of their farm to James C. Smith for the sum of $3,000.00, which was a significant purchase for that era. James C. Smith was a hugely successful rancher and cattleman, with ranches and cattle interests stretching from Texas to Canada. Smith was also known as a brutal cattleman, often inciting “skirmishes” with his competitors and was often accused of cattle rustling. Smith and his wife, Ada, lived in the stately farmhouse from 1911, which has come to be known as 2601 West Broadway. James Calvin Smith departed this earth on September 6, 1935, in Saskatchewan, Canada; whilst eluding US law enforcement. His widow, Ada, continued to live in the house until 1955.
Ada Smith, now widowed, deeded the Smith House to Dr. Carson Leroy Oglesbee on December 2, 1955. Oglesbee had a successful medical practice beginning in 1938 and used the Smith House to treat patients onsite. Numerous medical instruments remain in the attic of the home, along with Dr. Oglesbee’s impressive carrier pigeon breeding and courier hobby enthusiast feature. The house was decorated throughout with model trains and numerous toy antiques. The house is often nicknamed the “Oglesbee House”
The Farmer House was the private residence of prominent Muskogee lawyer, David Garrett and thoroughly restored to its original condition.
