Oklahoma Fires Head Coach, State Superintendent Resigns, Mansion Controversy: Exciting Updates in Northwest Oklahoma!

Oklahoma State Fires Head Coach, State Superintendent Resigns, Mansion Controversy: Exciting Updates in Northwest Oklahoma!

Foundations and Construction

The mansion was commissioned in 1916 (sometimes sources say “built by 1916”) by one of Woodward’s early financial leaders, L. L. Stine, a banker who arrived in the region when the community was still in its formative years. Stine’s bank—the First National Bank of Woodward—was a pillar of early commerce; by 1916, he had turned his aspirations to constructing a residence that reflected permanence and stature.

He retained the architect U. G. Charles of Wichita, Kansas, to design the home in the Classical Revival style, making it the only large-scale

Classical Revival building in Woodward.

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The structure is brick, three stories in height, and its design drew upon pattern-book influences (some sources say it was “picked out of the Sears catalog,” a phrase used in local histories) to combine elegance and local sensibility.

The house’s ornate columns, balanced proportions, and dignified form stood out in Woodward’s growing streetscape, symbolizing the arrival of settled prosperity on the western Oklahoma plains.

Life, Loss, and Transition

Over time, Mr. Stine and his wife separated, and a fire (sometimes called a “small fire” in local accounts) struck the home, prompting Stine to move into a more modest adjacent house. In 1935, the home was purchased by Harold B. Bradbury and his wife, with their young children Mary Vivian and Harold Madison. Red Carpet CountryBradbury was a local entrepreneur, owning the Bradbury Produce Company.

The Bradbury family cared for Mr. Stine in his later years until his death. The house remained in the Bradbury family’s hands well into the late 20th century; in fact, it stayed with them until 1994. During their years of residence, the home apparently served not only as the family’s private dwelling but also as a locus of social and civic occasions, including receptions.

One notable addition to the mansion was an elevator installed in 1969, adapting the structure for modern convenience while preserving its historic form.

Preservation and Legacy

On October 7, 1983, the mansion was officially placed on the National Register of Historic Places under the name “L. L. Stine House.” RoadtrippersIt is one of only a handful of Woodward properties so listed, and among those it holds distinction as the first building in Woodward to be so recognized.

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In the 1990s, efforts to rehabilitate and restore the mansion were supported by preservation grants and local commitment. As of recent years, the mansion has served as a community venue, hosting receptions and civic events, and stands as a visible link to Woodward’s pioneer age and architectural heritage.

Resilience Through Storms

The house also survived one of Woodward’s darkest hours: the massive tornado outbreak on April 9, 1947, which decimated large portions of the town, killed dozens, and leveled entire blocks. Local accounts credit the mansion’s robust construction in helping it weather the winds when so much else around it was lost.

In Retrospect

Today, the Stine-Bradbury Mansion is more than a relic; it is a storytelling anchor for Woodward’s identity. Its Classical Revival architecture offers visual contrast to many of the town’s more utilitarian or vernacular buildings, and its layered ownership—from pioneer banker to local business family—mirrors transitions in the town’s economic and social life. As Woodward continues to grow and evolve, the mansion stands as a reminder that permanence in the Plains is not always assured—but sometimes, with care, it survives.

"Autumn Abound: Fall Events in Northwest Oklahoma Celebrate Oktoberfest, Festivals, and Scarecrow Contest"

The article describes various fall events happening in Northwest Oklahoma over the weekend, including Oktoberfest in Woodward, fall festivals in Fairview and Alva, and a scarecrow contest in Waynoka.

The activities include live music, food vendors, kids' games, and pumpkin decorating.

Attendees are encouraged to participate in the festivities and enjoy the autumn season with family and friends.