By T.S. Akers
Historic buildings can evoke strong sentiments in some, especially when a building is iconic. When these buildings face uncertain futures, through purchase or neglect, people often begin to ask what can be done to save them. The water can often be muddied when these edifices are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a designation that many do not understand. The purpose of the National Register is to catalog historic and archeological sites deemed worthy of preservation. For those buildings privately owned, the National Register has little impact as it places no federal restrictions on property owners around preservation, so long as preservation tax credits and state-level grants are not being utilized.
The answer to the long-standing cry of “What can be done to save this building?” is simply, own it. And whilst that statement may be easier said than done, it is the absolute truth. Historic preservation begins with owning the property in question. And in Eufaula, Oklahoma, one can find a perfect example of owning the property. Since perhaps the 1970s, the C.L. Cooper building sat neglected, the roof caving in, vines overtaking the walls, and nature reclaiming the property. Then along came Jay Hunn in 2022 with a vision for the property, which had been added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.[1]
Following the American Civil War, the former slaves of the Five Tribes, or Freedmen, began to gather in communities for mutual protection and economic security. Nowhere else across the South was black settlement like this observed. Prosperous farming communities developed capable of supporting businesses, schools, and churches.[2] When the Katy Railway bypassed North Fork Town in 1872, establishing a railhead north of the Canadian River, the town of Eufaula emerged.[3] The original commercial district was along Front Street, which fronted the railroad on the western side of the tracks.[4] In time, a thriving black community developed on the eastern side of the tracks, with its own commercial district fronting the railroad.
Following statehood in 1907, Dr. Carolina Lucius Cooper came to Eufaula.[5] Born in 1872, Dr. Cooper was not just the first black physician in Eufaula, he remained the only physician in the black community until his death in 1944.[6] Dr. Cooper ultimately acquired a lot at the corner of B Street and Harrison Avenue, erecting a building there in 1915. What became the C.L. Cooper building is a two-story edifice of common red brick. Decorative features are modest and include toothing of brick at the cornice of the façade, which is also framed by corner pilasters. Originally, the ground floor was occupied by a grocer with Dr. Cooper’s professional offices on the upper floor.[7]
Following the passing of Dr. Cooper, the building became the Cooper Eastside Community Center. It continued in that capacity until 1972, and it was during this period of occupancy that the Prince Hall Masons utilized the upper floor.[8] Prince Hall Masonry is historically black Freemasonry, which traces its roots in the United States to 1778 when Prince Hall and others received a warrant to operate as African Lodge No. 1. The Prince Hall lodge at Eufaula was Paradise Lodge No. 54, which had been established under the Keystone Grand Lodge of the Indian Territory. That lodge existed as early as 1898 and is noted as meeting in Eufaula beginning around 1910, under the jurisdiction of the St. John Grand Lodge of Oklahoma. Though the Masons left the C.L. Cooper Building in 1972, Paradise Lodge No. 54 survives today under the jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Oklahoma. Paradise Lodge is noted as having produced at least one Grand Master, Lon C. McNeil who served from 1931 to 1941.[9]
Now, fast forward to 2022, when Jay Hunn obtained the C.L. Cooper Building. Hunn saw an opportunity to give the only surviving building of Eufaula’s black commercial district new life as a short-term rental. Today, guests are welcomed into a warm and playful space that the building’s current owner carefully crafted. The original façade now features a bump-out reminiscent of a classic storefront, with the front entry located on the north side of the bump-out.
Entering the C.L. Cooper Building, guests find themselves in a spacious living room, with a dry bar and sofas. Looking towards the building’s rear one will find the kitchen, with poured-concrete countertops and gas appliances. A full bath and laundry are on the ground floor.
A central staircase, with a landing, leads to the upper floor. The addition of the staircase allowed for the creation of a British inspired phone box. Between the living room and the kitchen, the space has been opened to the building’s roofline. Along the north wall here hangs an impressive garrison sized American flag, predating Oklahoma statehood in 1907.
Located on the upper floor are two bedrooms, each with a full bath. Another charming architectural feature is alcoves where the building’s original brick has been left exposed. Not to be missed are two Art Deco funeral torchiere lamps, personal favorites of the author.
The C.L. Cooper Building, a showcase of what historic preservation can be, is a must rent if looking for a place to stay in Eufaula for a weekend with family and friends.
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