Historical Points of Interest

Convention Hall

1219 Eighth Street

The Convention Hall was built in 1917 on the south side of the block donated to the city by Ben Key, an early-day merchant. It now serves as Woodward’s City Hall.

Stine-Bradbury Mansion

1001 Tenth Street

Built in 1916 by Len L. Stine, the owner of the First National Bank of Woodward, this residence remains one of Woodward’s finest dwellings. The home was bought by the Harold Bradbury Family in the 1930s and remained in their family until 1994. It is now owned by the Great Plains Preservation and Development Foundation and is used as a venue for receptions, weddings, and other community events. It is Woodward’s only home on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Gerlach Bank

824 Main Street

The northeast corner of 9th & Main was the location of Woodward’s first chartered bank: The Exchange Bank. John Gerlach would buy this location and build the present-day building in 1905. He moved his bank from the south side of the street to this location. Goetzinger Abstract has been in this location since 1948.

Olde Holiday Inn

1025 Texas

This boarding house was constructed in 1928 by O.D. and Della Holiday. It served in that capacity for nearly 50 years, later becoming an antique store, and two salons. In 2005 Karen Whitcomb purchased the structure and re-opened it as a bed and breakfast after a complete remodel. The original neon sign still hangs above the front door.

St. John’s Episcopal Church

923 Texas

The oldest church in Woodward was built in the spring of 1894. According to the memoirs of Mrs. John Gerlach, she arrived in Woodward as the church was being constructed on the corner of 7th and Main Streets. In 1901 it was moved to its present location at 10th & Texas Streets.

Woodward Theater

818 Main

The Woodward Theater was built in 1929 by Ben and Vance Terry as a movie theater. J.O. Selman, providing financial support for the venture, insisted that “talking pictures” were only a fad. He required an orchestra pit, dressing rooms, and a stage be built so the theater could remain in use once movies had disappeared. It remained a movie theater until 1977, and was converted into a performance theater in 1981. It opened its doors once again as the Woodward Arts Theater on November seventh of that year. The Theatre is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Carnegie Library

1219 Eighth Street

Built in 1917, the old Carnegie Library now houses city offices and an employee fitness room. It stands as a testament to the philanthropy of Andrew Carnegie.

Brockhaus Building

810 Main Street

Constructed in 1895 by Peter Martinson, this building is Woodward’s oldest brick structure. The first floor housed Martinson’s General Merchandise on the left, and Dick Woodward’s Saddle Shop on the right. The second floor of the building was known as “The Opera House,” which was the venue for Woodward’s earliest community events. The funeral for Ed Jennings took place upstairs, and later the 1896 trial of Temple Houston and Jack Love for his murder. Temple Houston also delivered his famous “Soiled Dove Speech” in May 1898 in the Opera House.