Federal Courthouse and Old Post Office, Oklahoma City

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Federal Courthouse and Old Post Office, Oklahoma City

Federal Courthouse and Old Post Office, Oklahoma City

Completed in 1912 shortly after statehood, the Federal Courthouse and Old Post Office, a Beaux-Arts masterpiece, was the city’s first grand federal structure, designed under the direction of Supervising Architect James Knox Taylor.

The building grew in stages, with two westward expansions in 1919 and 1932 that respected the original style but introduced an Art-Deco central tower added by James A. Wetmore. The building features hallmark elements of early 20th-century federal architecture, including ornamental pediments, rounded arches, balustraded facades, and a red-tile roof.

It hosted the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals and was where infamous gangster “Machine Gun” Kelly was tried in 1933; the trial was notable for permitting sound and camera equipment for the first time in federal court. In 1949, it played a pivotal role in ending segregation in graduate schools during the McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents case.

Now serving the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, the courthouse remains a living monument, meticulously restored in the early 1990s by the General Services Administration.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Oklahoma City. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "ϳԹ: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Federal Courthouse and Old Post Office on Map

Sight Name: Federal Courthouse and Old Post Office
Sight Location: Oklahoma City, USA (See walking tours in Oklahoma City)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Create Your Own Walk in Oklahoma City

Create Your Own Walk in Oklahoma City

Creating your own self-guided walk in Oklahoma City is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Oklahoma City Introduction Walking Tour

Oklahoma City Introduction Walking Tour

As the state capital of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City is the largest city in this state. Much of the city's settlement occurred during the Great Land Rush of 1889. Native Americans representing several tribes were among some of the region's earliest settlers. Tribal emblems and imagery make up much of the symbolism common in this city.

Many of the city's most iconic buildings date back...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Oklahoma City Historical Buildings

Oklahoma City Historical Buildings

Home to an attractive variety of historic edifices, the capital of Oklahoma State provides interesting sightseeing opportunities for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts alike. Eye-catching religious sights and structures of great architectural and historic importance abound in downtown Oklahoma City in equal measure.

A brief look at some of the notable sites is best started at the Henry...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Downtown To Bricktown

Downtown To Bricktown

Oklahoma City's Downtown and vibrant Bricktown area to its east complement each other, housing some of the most prominent landmarks in the city, including abundant dining and entertainment options that the state capital has to offer.

On this self-guided walk, you will start from the Oklahoma City National Memorial downtown, a poignant reminder of the tragic events of April 19, 1995. The...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles