BlockFrom the record
One of 9 National Register listings published here for Pontotoc County · listed in 1986 · category: Building.
Sources: the case file at the National Archives · the National Register database, National Park Service
East Central State Normal School
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
The listing
- What is counted as historic. The nomination lists 1 building as contributing to the listing.
- Address. East Central University campus, Ada, 74820
- When was it listed? December 1986
- Category. building
- Census division. Ada
- Architectural style. Greek Revival architecture
- National Register reference number. 86003470 - the number the National Park Service assigned this property when it was listed, and the key its nomination file is catalogued under at the National Archives.
Fires near this property
97 since 1995Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 97 fires within 5 miles of East Central State Normal School between 1995 and 2020, burning about 3,526 acres in total. 8 started naturally. 10 were recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.
| Reported cause | Fires |
|---|---|
| Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 32 |
| Debris and open burning | 20 |
| Arson/incendiarism | 10 |
| Equipment and vehicle use | 9 |
| Natural | 8 |
| Power generation/transmission/distribution | 7 |
| Railroad operations and maintenance | 3 |
| Fireworks | 3 |
| Misuse of fire by a minor | 2 |
| Smoking | 1 |
| Recreation and ceremony | 1 |
| Other causes | 1 |
The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.
| Date | Cause | Size | Reported by | Name on the report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 September 2007 | Debris and open burning | 11 acres | Chickasaw Agency | HENDERSON |
| 12 September 2001 | Equipment and vehicle use | 5.0 acres | Chickasaw Agency | BAILER |
| 6 August 2012 | Power generation/transmission/distribution | under an acre | Chickasaw Agency | ELECTRIC BOX |
| 3 August 2008 | Equipment and vehicle use | under an acre | Chickasaw Agency | OLD TRACTOR |
| 23 August 2003 | Equipment and vehicle use | 38 acres | Chickasaw Agency | BRIT LOOP |
| 20 August 2011 | Arson/incendiarism | 50 acres | Chickasaw Agency | WOODBROOK #2 |
| 15 August 2006 | Arson/incendiarism | under an acre | Chickasaw Agency | COUNTY BARN |
| 10 August 2012 | Misuse of fire by a minor | 1.8 acres | Chickasaw Agency | TRIBAL HOUSING 2 |
Mines and quarries near this property
10 of 33 shownRegional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 33 workings within 5 miles of East Central State Normal School: 26 past producers, 5 producers, 2 occurrences. 5 still produce. What was taken out: Sand and Gravel, Construction, Clay, Copper, Stone, Crushed/Broken. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.
| Where | Site | Commodity | Status | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ada Qy & Plt | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Producer | ||
| Lawrence Cement Plant | Clay, Stone, Crushed/Broken, Calcium | Producer | ||
| Ada West | Copper | Occurrence | 1973 | |
| Lewis Spring | Copper | Occurrence | 1929 | |
| Superior Clay Products Shale Pit | Clay | Producer | ||
| Two Unnamed Shale Pits | Clay | Past Producer | ||
| Two Unnamed Shale Pits | Clay | Producer | ||
| Four Unnamed Sand & Gravel Pits | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | ||
| Mobile Materals Gravel Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Producer | ||
| Unknown Gravel Pits | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer |
Storms near this property
60 of 280 shownRegional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Ada, the town this property stands in, in 280 storm reports between 1993 and 2026: 141 hail, 95 thunderstorm wind, 25 flash flood, 9 tornado. The reports record 2 deaths and 13 injuries. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.
| When | Event | Place named | Harm | What the report says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 2012 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | 1 killed, 1 hurt | Information provided by a NWS Storm Survey team and local radar confirmed that a strong microburst occurred near the Happyland community. A strapped down, double-wide was destroyed by the intense winds, with debris scattered 100 to 150 yards. Unfortunately, two people were inside the mobile home when it was destroyed. |
| July 2012 | Lightning | Ada | 1 killed | A brief thunderstorm impacted Ada, Oklahoma just before midnight. No structural damage was reported, but one fatality occurred when a man was struck by lightning in the driveway of his home. |
| June 2007 | Flash Flood | Ada | 3 hurt, $1,000,000 | A pickup truck washed into the Bois D' Arc Creek. All three passengers were rescued. Two persons were injured and treated at the scene, while another person was injured and transported to a nearby hospital. A number of businesses and homes had standing water inside. One home was flooded in Roff. |
| July 2004 | Lightning | Ada | 3 hurt | Lightning injured 3 people at the corner of Mississippi and Arlington behind Chickasaw Nations Headquarters. The workers were standing in the back of a dump truck loading rocks. Lightning caused a hole 2 inches wide and 1 inch deep in the concrete near the right rear tire of the truck. |
| October 2000 | Lightning | Ada | 2 hurt, $30,000 | Lightning struck Polo's Embassy Restaurant on West Main Street, causing a fire. Two people were treated for smoke inhalation at a nearby hospital and released. |
| July 1995 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | 2 hurt, $5,000 | Severe thunderstorms in central and southern Oklahoma produced hail as large as nickels and severe winds that resulted in two injuries. A woman and her son were injured when a tree fell onto their car two miles northwest of Ada. They were driving home when the incident occurred, and fortunately only suffered minor injuries from the broken glass. In northeastern Pauls Valley in Garvin County, severe thunderstorm winds also blew a six-foot Pecan tree down through the roof of a home and felled several smaller trees as well. In Pontotoc County numerous shingles were blown away and part of a roof collapsed three miles northwest of Ada due to the severe winds. One mile southwest of Byng (also in Pontotoc County) a small tree was downed by winds estimated at 65 mph. Severe thunderstorm wind speeds up to 72 mph were reported one mile northeast of Rush Springs in Grady County. Nickel-sized hail was reported near Cement in Caddo County and in Ada in Pontotoc County. |
| March 2025 | Tornado (EF1) | Ada | 1 hurt, $10,000,000 | The Ada Tornado developed on the west side of Ada just west of State Highway 1 near Reeves Road, and moved generally east-northeast down Main Street through central and dissipated on the northeast side of Ada northeast of East Central University and Arlington Center. Numerous homes, businesses, trees and utility poles were damaged along the path. A motel suffered significant roof damage along Main Street. An apartment complex northeast of East Central University received roof damage. One person was injured outside of the motel when the tornado hit. |
| April 2025 | Tornado (EF1) | Ada | 1 hurt, $750,000 | For the second time this spring, a tornado struck the city of Ada. This tornado began on the north side of Ada, near the intersection of North Broadway Avenue and NW JA Richardson Loop. Several homes suffered roof damage along Cottage street as the tornado moved east and northeast. EF1 damage was noted at a hotel along the Loop, where damage to roofs and awnings were observed and one person was injured. The tornado moved across the North Hills Shopping Center, damaging several businesses before moving to the northeast and dissipating northeast of Ada. |
| April 1994 | Hail | Ada | $5,000,000 | no account filed |
| March 2024 | Hail | Ada | $2,000,000 | Numerous images from various sources showing hailstones of up to 4-inches in diameter across the community of Ada. Widespread damage to vehicles and buildings reported. Time of event is estimated, with majority of hailfall occurring between 1650-1700 LST. |
| July 1995 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $500,000 | no account filed |
| April 1994 | Hail | Ada | $500,000 | no account filed |
| April 1994 | Hail | Ada | $500,000 | no account filed |
| May 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $300,000 | Estimated straight-line wind gusts ranging from 60 to 70 mph caused sporadic damage along a path approximately 17 miles long, with Ada receiving the worst damage. One home was damaged in Latta, which is 2.5 miles SW of Ada. The Red Cross reported 85 homes damaged along the path with lots of shingle and roof damage. Several businesses in Ada were also damaged. Numerous trees were damaged with large limbs downed near the courthouse. A nursing home lost a portion of its roof. Several garage doors were blown in across the area. Some debris from factories in Ada were found approximately 4 miles east of town. |
| June 2004 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $150,000 | Wind gusts destroyed a 40 foot by 175 foot lumber warehouse (metal/outbuilding structure) at the Ace Hardware in town. |
| May 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $100,000 | Thunderstorm wind damage occurred in the community of Pickett, including a destroyed outbuilding and a large uprooted tree that landed on the corner of a house. The event time is estimated from radar observations. |
| October 2021 | Tornado (EF1) | Ada | $100,000 | This tornado developed west of Ada southwest of County Roads 1540 and 3530. The tornado produced damage to barns along County Road 3350 and then EF1 damage to metal buildings at a tractor dealer just before crossing State Highway 19. It continued to produce tree damage in areas northwest and north of Ada. A few homes received roof or garage door or patio damage east of US-377 between Ada and Byng, and in the southeast portion of Byng. The tornado dissipated just east of the city limits of Byng. |
| March 2004 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $75,000 | Power poles were downed. Several small sheds were destroyed. Brooke Trailer Park sustained some damage along with several signs across town. |
| April 1996 | Lightning | Ada | $70,000 | no account filed |
| May 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $60,000 | One trailer collapsed and had its roof blown off at Sandy Creek Trailer Park. Seven other trailers also were damaged. |
| September 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $60,000 | Severe straight-line winds produced an intermittent path of damage on the east side of Ada that was about four miles long and three-quarters of a mile wide, and extended from northwest through southeast. The roof of a dairy barn was blown off. Several barns and outbuildings were destroyed, and dozens of trees were blown over. |
| May 1995 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $50,000 | no account filed |
| April 1994 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $50,000 | no account filed |
| April 1994 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $50,000 | no account filed |
| May 2015 | Flash Flood | Ada | $40,000 | Cars stalled due to flood waters. Report came from MPING app. |
| June 1997 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $40,000 | One mobile home and ten barns were destroyed by severe thunderstorm winds. Numerous trees were blown down, blocking several roads. |
| November 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $35,000 | no account filed |
| June 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $25,000 | Several trees were downed. One tree fell on a car. |
| June 1999 | Lightning | Ada | $21,000 | no account filed |
| June 2019 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $20,000 | Twitter report. Mobile home significantly damaged near Union Hill. Time is radar estimate. |
| May 2013 | Tornado (EF0) | Ada | $20,000 | An F0 tornado developed just west of the city limits Ada and moved northeast about one-half mile. A mobile home was damaged near the beginning of the path and trees were snapped or uprooted along the path. |
| May 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $20,000 | A 60-foot radio tower was blown down at KTLS radio station. |
| September 1997 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $20,000 | Severe thunderstorm winds estimated at 60 mph blew the roof off a mobile home. |
| May 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $15,000 | A roof was partially blown off a house. |
| June 1997 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $12,000 | Severe thunderstorm winds blew two small barns away and damaged the roofs of several homes. Eleven power poles were blown down in Oakman and trees were downed across several roads. |
| July 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $10,000 | Social media image showing a section of the vinyl siding of a large retail store peeled back. Time is radar estimated. |
| May 2019 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $10,000 | Two downed power lines as well as numerous tree limbs. Time estimated from radar. |
| June 2019 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $10,000 | Roof blown off home at 4101 CO Rd 1560. Time estimated from radar. |
| May 2017 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $10,000 | Roof was blown off home. Numerous utility poles downed. |
| February 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $10,000 | A mobile home was blown off its foundation. Outbuildings were blown over, and a large tree fell across a road. |
| June 1999 | Flash Flood | Ada | $6,000 | no account filed |
| August 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $5,000 | Social media image showing at least two power poles snapped. Time is radar estimated. |
| July 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $5,000 | Wind gust measured with a handheld anemometer. Power lines blown down in the vicinity. |
| June 2023 | Flash Flood | Ada | $5,000 | Social media video showing water flowing across portions of Cradduck Road in southeast parts of Ada. |
| July 2023 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $5,000 | Report of power poles snapped. |
| June 2019 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $5,000 | Roof damage of unknown extent. Time estimated by radar. |
| June 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $5,000 | A mobile home sustained roof damage and a shed was blown into trees. |
| May 2015 | Flash Flood | Ada | $5,000 | Numerous streets flooded in and around Ada. Traffic lights shorting out due to high water in some locations. |
| July 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $5,000 | Numerous tree limbs were downed by the strong winds. Monetary damages were estimated. |
| July 1995 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $5,000 | no account filed |
| April 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $4,000 | Several trees were blown down one mile north of Union Valley, or 4 miles northeast of Stonewall. A roof was also blown over at the Garr Corner Feed Store. Winds were estimated at 60 to 70 mph, with one wind gust estimated at 80 mph near Center. Monetary damages were estimated. |
| April 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $3,500 | Several trees and power lines were downed along with some roof damage. |
| April 2016 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $3,000 | Powerlines and trees were downed. |
| June 2004 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $2,500 | Wind was observed on east side of town. Trees were also downed. |
| June 2019 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $2,000 | Roof blown off of a structure. |
| June 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $2,000 | Power lines downed and blocking roadway at state Highway 3/County Rd 1580. |
| July 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $2,000 | A roof was blown off of a storage shed. Monetary damages were estimated. |
| September 1999 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $2,000 | no account filed |
| June 2019 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ada | $1,000 | Roof damage. Time estimate from radar. |
| June 2018 | Tornado (EF0) | Ada | $1,000 | An Ada Police officer observed this tornado near county road 1570 southeast of Ada. This brief tornado did cause some tree damage. |
Map coverage status
No historic map-sheet match is published for this property yet. That does not mean no map exists. This record needs a coordinate-quality review before it can be joined to a sheet boundary. Browse the county's mapped places while that work is pending.
Listed places nearby
5 within 8 milesOther National Register properties close enough to walk or drive between, ordered by distance from this one. Both positions come from the same geocoding pass that matched these properties to their map sheets.
| Photograph | Property | Distance | Listed |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Ada Public Library | 0.7 miles | 1989 |
 | Sugg Clinic | 0.8 miles | 1999 |
 | Pontotoc County Courthouse | 0.9 miles | 1984 |
| F.W. Meaders House | 0.9 miles | 2007 | |
 | Lake Dam, Wintersmith Park | 1.0 miles | 2000 |
Sources for this property
| National Archives record | The nomination case file for reference 86003470 in Record Group 79. |
| Pontotoc County | All 9 listed properties in this county. |
Provenance
- Listing record. National Park Service National Register of Historic Places, listed-properties dataset, current to 2026-05-22.
- Map join. Address geocoded through the United States Census geocoder, then tested against the published boundary of every sheet in the USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection.
- How this page is made. Listing fields come from federal records; map-sheet coverage is a labelled coordinate-to-boundary calculation, not a source-field claim.
- Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
- Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
- Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.