The Baum Building was a historic building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In 1909, Moses J. Baum, a Mississippi-born merchant who specialised in women's garments, leased the land at the northeast corner of Grand and Robinson and built a five-story commercial building on the site. The building was modeled after the Doge's Palace in Venice, Italy.[1] The building was completed in 1910, with the Baum company moving in on May 5, 1910.[2][3] The building was designed by Layton and Smith, and cost $140,000 to build.[4]
| Baum Building | |
|---|---|
  | |
| Alternative names | First Equity Building The Insurance Center |
| General information | |
| Type | Commercial |
| Town or city | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 35°28′00″N 97°30′58″W / 35.46656°N 97.51623°W |
| Groundbreaking | 1909 |
| Opened | May 1910 |
| Demolished | July-August 1972 |
| Cost | US$140,000 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 5 (+ basement) |
During its lifespan, the building was also called the First Equity Building and the Insurance Center.[5]
Demolition edit
The building was demolished between July and August 1972.[6][5] The beautiful and ornate building became a victim of urban renewal and I.M. Pei's street straightening project.[1] After demolition, Robinson Street was widened from 74 feet to 134 feet.[6]
The building's marble columns were removed and preserved, and a mural within the building was moved to a Fidelity Bank building.[5]
References edit
- ^ a b "Downtown Oklahoma City - OHS Research Center". www.okhistory.org.
- ^ Phillips, Mary (May 12, 2014). "Baum Building once had no comparison in region". The Oklahoman.
- ^ "Announcement". The Daily Oklahoman. May 1, 1910.
- ^ "Baum Building Permit for $140,000 Structure". August 25, 1909.
- ^ a b c "Baum Building Razing Started". The Daily Oklahoman. July 20, 1972. p. 45.
- ^ a b Dryden, Dave (August 15, 1972). "Bank Vault, concrete walls balk at demolition effort". The Daily Oklahoman.
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