The Oklahoma Historical Society and State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) announced yesterday that the Van Sanford Apartments in Seminole have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Erected in 1929 as a response to the housing crisis during the oil boom in Oklahoma, the Van Sanford Apartments and its Jacobethan style architecture became the first permanent apartment housing solution built in Seminole. The Van Sanford not only addressed the shortage of dwellings but also mirrored the luxury and amenities found in the finest apartment buildings of larger cities during the period. It was considered a luxurious residence for its time, with each unit boasting Kelvinator refrigerators and private telephone lines.

Today, the Van Sanford Apartments are seeing a re-birth as apartment-style housing through the use of Historic Preservation Tax Credits provided by the National Park Service. May 9 marked the official start of the interior demolition and the full historic restoration of the 96-yearold structure that sustained significant damage in the May 2022 tornadoes.

The restoration project is headed up by GuRuStu Communities. Stuart McDaniel, owner and representative of GuRuStu, says full historic restoration is utilizing historic tax credits to restore all public spaces, including hallways and common areas, to their 1929 grandeur. The apartment interiors will be modernized with a focus on retaining historic details such as the original hardwoods, period- correct lighting fixtures, and decorative original fireplaces and built-ins.

Listing in the National Register of Historic Places is a designation that provides recognition, limited protection, and, in some cases, financial incentives for these important properties. The SHPO identifies, evaluates, and nominates properties for this special designation.

The State Historic Preservation Office is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. Its mission is to collect, preserve, and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites, and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs, and publications, the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, visit okhistory.org.