Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office

Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office These programs were established under the National Historic Preservation Act and are conducted in partnership with the U.S.

The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society, a state agency, and is responsible for carrying out the National Register Programs in Oklahoma. Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS). With these programs as the tools, the SHPO works with federal agencies, other state agencies, local governments, tribal governments, nonprofit organiza

tions, and concerned citizens to ensure that Oklahoma's significant archeological and historic resources are protected.

Today Jason Fox and Lynda Ozan stopped by Fort Gibson to check out the mortar work at the barracks. We are excited to s...
08/11/2026

Today Jason Fox and Lynda Ozan stopped by Fort Gibson to check out the mortar work at the barracks. We are excited to see the progress and preservation in action.

Section 106 Works!!! The Project: In an effort to replace deficient bridges in Oklahoma, a bridge in Sequoyah County was...
08/11/2026

Section 106 Works!!!

The Project: In an effort to replace deficient bridges in Oklahoma, a bridge in Sequoyah County was identified as needing replacement. While the bridge itself was determined to not be eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), an important NRHP-listed archaeological site occupied during the Late Archaic period (ca. 2000 to 300 B.C.) and during the Mississippian / Early Caddo (Harlan phase; ca A.D. 850 to 1200) periods was located near the bridge.

The 106 Process: Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requires federal agencies to take into account the effects of projects they carry out, fund, or permit on historic properties prior to making final decisions on the projects. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funded the bridge replacement project through the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT). The landowner, Dan Hill, the Oklahoma Archaeological Survey (OAS), and the Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) implementing measures to complete a geophysical survey, which identified six previously unknown buried archaeological features, and an archaeological recovery plan to excavate and analyze these features and the artifacts associated with them.

Section 106 Success: The Section 106 process allows for public participation in federally funded, licensed, or permitted actions. As such, Mr. Dan Hill could convey his concerns to the federal agency (and their delegate) pertaining to the prehistoric resources on his property. Furthermore, he was provided with the opportunity to serve as an invited signatory to the Memorandum of Agreement. Neither Mr. Hill’s concerns nor the presence of a significant NRHP listed prehistoric archaeological site prevented the project (the bridge replacement) from moving forward. The project was completed in 2025.

SHPO's Lynda Ozan and Shea Otley and OHS's Cruz Pulido celebrated with the citizens of Ponca City at the Santa Fe Depot ...
08/06/2026

SHPO's Lynda Ozan and Shea Otley and OHS's Cruz Pulido celebrated with the citizens of Ponca City at the Santa Fe Depot ribbon cutting this morning! Weather was wonderfully cool for a change, and as you can see from the images, the Depot looks incredible. The interpretive panels were partially funded by a Certified Local Governments grant through our office, and they look amazing! More information about the Depot and its Section 106 connection will be coming soon!

Section 106 Works!!! The Project: In the 1980s Oklahoma went through an oil and gas collapse; 47 Oklahoma banks closed. ...
08/06/2026

Section 106 Works!!!

The Project: In the 1980s Oklahoma went through an oil and gas collapse; 47 Oklahoma banks closed. The First National Bank and Trust Company soon followed, declaring bankruptcy on July 14, 1986. A redevelopment partnership was formed to repurpose the 1.1 million square foot building. They acknowledged the importance of the building and were committed to embracing the historic details and grandeur of the significant space.

The 106 Process: Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requires federal agencies to take into account the effects of projects they carry out, fund, or permit on historic properties prior to making final decisions on the projects. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) partnered with the project proponents on multiple occasions to assist in the redevelopment of the property starting in 2017 with the EPA Brownfield funds to complete asbestos and lead abatement. The Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) worked closely with the development team to get the project through both the Section 106 process and the Federal and State tax credit program.

The rehabilitation included converting two historic additions to a parking garage, masonry restoration; installation of new plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems; mural cleaning and restoration; window repairs; and complete interior rehabilitation. While original historic, grand spaces were left intact, office spaces were reconfigured to guest rooms and apartment units all while retaining the building’s historic character. Special attention was given to the retention of other historic spaces and elements, such as the elevator doors, elaborate stenciling, the great hall, and the vault spaces to name a few. The multi-million project had a complex financial package which relied upon federal and state rehabilitation tax credits but also utilized HUD funds and private equity.

Section 106 Success: The project recognized the need for public-private partnerships to leverage federal funds. No private entity could have completed a project of this scale or magnitude on its own. The development team was able to access multiple sources of funding, making the rehabilitation financially feasible. The Section 106 process facilitated the needed collaboration, consultation, and compromise among the partners. The First National Bank and Trust Company project in downtown Oklahoma City, opened in 2022, demonstrating that historic preservation works.

National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers

Section 106 Works!!! The Project: The City of Ponca City (City) recognized early that the Santa Fe Depot was one of the ...
08/04/2026

Section 106 Works!!!

The Project: The City of Ponca City (City) recognized early that the Santa Fe Depot was one of the community's most important historic landmarks. Constructed in 1911 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2012, the depot is significant for its role in the development of transportation in north-central Oklahoma and for its distinctive architectural design.

As the City developed plans to rehabilitate the depot for continued passenger rail service, local officials understood that the use of federal funding would require review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. By incorporating historic preservation into the planning process from the beginning, the City positioned the project for success.

The 106 Process: Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requires federal agencies to consider the effects of projects they carry out, fund, or permit on historic properties before making final decisions. Because the rehabilitation project received funding from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), it underwent the Section 106 consultation process.

The project included interior renovations to accommodate modern Amtrak passengers, exterior cleaning and rehabilitation, and resurfacing of the adjacent parking lot. Throughout the consultation process, project partners worked together to ensure that necessary improvements respected the building's historic character while meeting contemporary accessibility and operational needs.

Section 106 Success: Section 106 encourages collaboration among federal agencies, State Historic Preservation Offices, local governments, and other consulting parties to find solutions that balance preservation with progress.

In this case, the depot's historic spatial configuration was preserved even though a new wall and doorway were needed to support modern passenger operations. Through the Section 106 consultation process, the design was modified so the new partition would be constructed of glass, maintaining unobstructed views of the depot's historic interior while allowing the space to function for today's travelers.

The result is a rehabilitation that preserves the depot's historic character while giving it renewed purpose as an active transportation hub. Scheduled for a ribbon cutting on August 6, 2026, the restored Santa Fe Depot demonstrates that historic preservation and economic development are not competing goals—they are complementary ones.

This project is an outstanding example of how Section 106 consultation, combined with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, can help communities preserve their historic landmarks while adapting them for modern use. Rather than standing in the way of progress, Section 106 helped ensure that an irreplaceable piece of Oklahoma's transportation history will continue serving the public for generations to come.

National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers

Section 106 Works!!! The Project: In 2015, the Tulsa District Corps of Engineers (COE) submitted the Diamond Pipeline pr...
07/30/2026

Section 106 Works!!!

The Project: In 2015, the Tulsa District Corps of Engineers (COE) submitted the Diamond Pipeline project from Cushing, Oklahoma, to Memphis, Tennessee, for review. The route through Oklahoma would include the following counties: Creek, Haskell, LeFlore, Lincoln, McIntosh, Muskogee, and Okmulgee. The project was initiated by the COE because the company needed federal permits from the COE for water crossings.

The 106 Process: Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requires federal agencies to take into account the effects of projects they carry out, fund, or permit on historic properties prior to making final decisions on the projects. While the COE only acknowledges a narrow parameter for water crossings as the Area of Potential Effect (APE) and not the entire length of the pipeline corridor that included work stations and pipeline rights-of-way, the OKSHPO’s comments were restricted to only those historic properties that were within the COEs APE.

The SHPO noted that the proposed route cuts diagonally through the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and National Historic Landmark (NHL) designated Honey Springs Battlefield. The engagement at Honey Springs was the largest and most important battle during the Civil War in Indian Territory. To be clear, the battlefield is larger than the nominated area. The boundaries for both the NRHP and NHL are imposed on the site by the property ownership which were not present at the time of the battle. Due to the proposed location of the pipeline and the work zones/vehicular traffic, the SHPO noted that the project would be an adverse effect on the battlefield. Conversely, the SHPO noted that the project would have no effect on Route 66, also a historic property, as they proposed to use horizontal drilling to install the pipeline.

Section 106 Success: The current Section 106 process allows for avoidance, minimization, or mitigation to avert an adverse effect. By working with the project proponent, they were able to reroute the pipeline around the battlefield allowing the archaeological evidence to remain intact and to allow the landscape of the battlefield to go untouched. As such, the project proponent and the federal agency issuing the permit were able to avoid the adverse effect and save the battlefield from unnecessary ground disturbing activities, and more importantly, allowed a pipeline project to be constructed. But for Section 106, the outcome for Honey Springs Battlefield could have been very different.

National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers

07/30/2026

"Recent perspectives make a simple argument: historic preservation law has become an obstacle to building the infrastructure America needs. It’s a clean story. It’s also wrong."

"If we truly want infrastructure reviews that are faster, more predictable, and more durable...the answer is not sidelining history. The answer is leveraging the streamlining tools already available, providing adequate funding, and bringing expertise into projects early, rather than treating preservation as an obstacle to overcome."

Read more, link in comments

National Trust for Historic Preservation
American Cultural Resources Association - ACRA
National Preservation Partners Network
National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers
National Alliance of Preservation Commissions

Section 106 Works!!! The Project: The Oklahoma Department of Transportation recognized the Bridgeport Bridge along histo...
07/28/2026

Section 106 Works!!!

The Project: The Oklahoma Department of Transportation recognized the Bridgeport Bridge along historic Route 66 to be the most historically significant bridge in the state. Totaling 38 pony trusses, the overall length of the bridge (including the approach spans) is 3,944 feet. In an effort to replace deficient bridges in Oklahoma, the bridge was identified as needing replacement. The bridge is both individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places and as a contributing resource to a much larger Route 66 historic district.

The 106 Process: Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requires federal agencies to take into account the effects of projects they carry out, fund, or permit on historic properties prior to making final decisions on the projects. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funded the bridge replacement project through the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT). Many stakeholders were involved in the Section 106 consultation process: Oklahoma SHPO, Oklahoma Archaeological Survey, the National Park Service, many Route 66 organizations, and the public. Demolition of the bridge was sought as the road was too narrow for modern vehicles and structural members were deteriorating. While outright preservation was never an option, a compromise was reached among the parties to retain the most identifiable portions of the bridge.

Section 106 Success: The Section 106 process allows for public participation in federally funded, licensed, or permitted actions. The project was completed in 2024 in time for the 2026 100-year anniversary of the construction of Route 66. The compromise included maintaining the crossing at the original location and retaining the truss lines as decorative elements positioned outside the new bridge beams. The new bridge conveys the original feeling of the crossing of the pony truss bridge and retains the original materials of the most significant portion of the historic bridge. This bridge is a great example of how the frequent outcome of demolition can be avoided when the federal agency works with the consulting parties to develop a compromise.

National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers

07/24/2026

The proposed rewrite of Section 106 regulations has understandably generated a lot of questions. Revisit how we got here and what happens next in the federal rulemaking process.

Read more at link in comments.

Here is an excellent example of using Section 106 to save a significant historic resource AND have a successful rehabili...
07/23/2026

Here is an excellent example of using Section 106 to save a significant historic resource AND have a successful rehabilitation project that continues to serve Oklahoma City today:

The Project: In 1999, Oklahoma City (City) formed the Skirvin Solutions Committee to evaluate options for saving the building. Of particular concern was retaining the building’s use and historic character, which required finding a proponent that would rehabilitate the property and return it to its use as a hotel. When it became clear public involvement was necessary to save the landmark hotel, the City purchased it with Community Development Block Grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The 106 Process: Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requires federal agencies to take into account the effects of projects they carry out, fund, or permit on historic properties prior to making final decisions on the projects. The law creating the Community Development Block Grant Program delegates that responsibility to HUD’s grantees, so the City undertook compliance with Section 106. While no plan had been developed at the time of purchase, the City and the Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Officer executed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to establish that any rehabilitation proposal considered by the City would require compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. The use of the Standards would facilitate use of federal financial tools such as grants and tax credits. Following a Request for Proposals, the City chose Skirvin Partners LLC, which included the Hilton Hotel group, as the developer for the rehabilitation and reuse of the building.

The rehabilitation included masonry restoration; roof replacement; installation of new plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems; installation of 900 new windows; and complete interior rehabilitation. While original corridors were left in place, guest rooms were reconfigured to retain the building’s historic character. Special attention was given to the retention of other historic spaces and elements, such as the 29 hand-carved Bacchus busts accented with gold leaf, the lobby’s arched wooden entry ways and the 1911 tile floor, art deco tile in the Skirvin’s Park Avenue Grill (dating from the 1920's expansion), and the decorative lobby elevator doors. The rehabilitation also restored the original first and second floor façade and entry canopy, which had been masked by modern stucco. The $56.3 million project had a complex financial package which relied upon federal and state rehabilitation tax credits but also utilized New Markets Tax Credits, a HUD Economic Development Initiative grant, local funding from the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority, proceeds from the sale of the building, and private equity.

Section 106 Success: By using its allotted federal funds to purchase the hotel and support community development, the City used the Section 106 process to guide the successful rehabilitation of the hotel. The project recognized the need for public-private partnerships to leverage federal funds. Neither the City nor a private entity could have completed a project of this scale or magnitude on its own. Together, though, they were able to access multiple sources of funding, making the rehabilitation financially feasible. The Section 106 process facilitated the needed collaboration, consultation, and compromise among the multiple partners. The Skirvin Hilton Hotel project demonstrates that historic preservation works.

Address

800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive (Previously 2401 North Laird Avenue)
Oklahoma City, OK
73105

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+14055216249

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