Langston OklahomaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Langston, Oklahoma.
1. Langston University
HISTORIC BLACK COLLEGE CAMPUS
Langston University is the only historically black college in Oklahoma, founded in 1897 and originally known as the Oklahoma Colored Agricultural & Normal University. The campus was renamed after civil rights activist and first African American congressman John Mercer Langston in 1941 and has been the filming location for BET's show 'College Hill.' The university is home to the Melvin B. Tolson Black Heritage Center, which houses over 7,000 volumes of books, black newspapers, periodicals, and African artifacts.
2. Indian Meridian Monument
HISTORIC TERRITORIAL MARKER
The Indian Meridian Monument in Langston sits on a rural road east of town marking the 1870 division line between Oklahoma and Indian Territories. The obelisk was once used as a marker along the historic Ozark Trail and is one of only two original Ozark Trail obelisks remaining in Oklahoma. Visitors can appreciate this significant historical landmark that represents an important geographical boundary in Oklahoma's development.
3. Melvin B. Tolson Black Heritage Center
AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL COLLECTION
The Melvin B. Tolson Black Heritage Center, located on Langston University's campus, houses an extensive collection of over 7,000 volumes dedicated to African American culture and history. Since its opening in January 1970, the center has been a valuable resource featuring black newspapers, periodicals, and numerous African artifacts. The center is named after poet Melvin B. Tolson, who taught at Langston from 1947 to 1964 and was later portrayed by Denzel Washington in the film 'The Great Debaters.'
4. Central School Historic Site
EDUCATIONAL HERITAGE LANDMARK
Central School Historic Site stands as a testament to the rich educational heritage of Langston, Oklahoma. The site preserves an important part of the community's history, showcasing early educational facilities in this historically significant all-Black town. Visitors can learn about educational developments in Langston since the town's founding in the early 1890s.
5. Langston City Hall
TOWN'S HISTORIC CENTER
Langston City Hall serves as the administrative center for this historic all-Black town founded in 1890. The building represents the town's long-standing governance structure and community organization since its establishment by E.P. McCabe and Charles Robbins. Visitors can learn about the town's unique history and development as one of Oklahoma's surviving all-Black communities.
6. Morris House
NATIONAL REGISTER LANDMARK
Morris House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and represents an important architectural legacy in Langston. The historic home provides insight into residential life during the early development of this historically Black community. Visitors can appreciate the preserved architectural elements that showcase the town's historical significance.
7. Langston University Cottage Row Historic District
PRESERVED UNIVERSITY HOUSING
Langston University Cottage Row Historic District is a nationally recognized historic area featuring early university housing structures. The district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and showcases the architectural and cultural development of Oklahoma's only historically Black college. These preserved cottages offer visitors a glimpse into campus life throughout Langston University's storied history.
8. Coyle Route 66 Monument
HISTORIC HIGHWAY MARKER
The Coyle Route 66 Monument commemorates the historic Mother Road that passed near this small town just a short drive from Langston. The monument celebrates Coyle's connection to one of America's most famous highways and the travelers who passed through the area. Visitors can learn about the impact of Route 66 on local communities and the highway's cultural significance.
9. Frontier Country Museum
REGIONAL HISTORY COLLECTION
The Frontier Country Museum in nearby Guthrie, just 10 miles from Langston, houses artifacts and exhibits related to Oklahoma's territorial days. The museum showcases the region's development during the Land Run era and the early statehood period. Visitors can explore collections that include items from Langston and other surrounding communities that shaped central Oklahoma's history.
10. Oklahoma Territorial Capital
HISTORIC GOVERNMENT BUILDING
The Oklahoma Territorial Capital in Guthrie served as the first seat of government for Oklahoma Territory and is located just 10 miles from Langston. This historic building played a critical role in Oklahoma's path to statehood and represents an important period when E.P. McCabe, one of Langston's founders, was serving as a territorial auditor. The preserved structure offers guided tours that provide insights into the political climate during the territorial period when Langston was established.
11. Pollard Theatre
HISTORIC PERFORMING ARTS VENUE
The Pollard Theatre is a historic performing arts venue in Guthrie, approximately 10 miles from Langston, that has entertained audiences since 1919. The theater hosts a variety of productions including plays, musicals, and concerts that draw visitors from throughout the region including nearby Langston. This beautifully restored venue represents the cultural connections between Guthrie and surrounding communities while showcasing performing arts talent from across Oklahoma.
12. Brooksville Community Center
ALL-BLACK TOWN HERITAGE
The Brooksville Community Center serves as a gathering place in one of Oklahoma's historic all-Black towns that, like Langston, was established in Oklahoma Territory. The center preserves the cultural heritage of Brooksville through exhibits, community events, and educational programs about the Black town movement. Visitors can learn about the parallel histories of Brooksville and Langston as part of Oklahoma's unique network of historically Black communities.
13. Arcadia Round Barn
ROUTE 66 ARCHITECTURAL WONDER
The Arcadia Round Barn is a unique Route 66 landmark located near Langston that was built in 1898 and restored in 1992. The distinctive round structure is on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as a museum and tourist destination showcasing local history and Route 66 memorabilia. Visitors traveling between Langston and Oklahoma City often stop at this architectural wonder known for its perfectly round shape and remarkable woodwork.
14. Guthrie Scottish Rite Temple
MASONIC ARCHITECTURAL MASTERPIECE
The Guthrie Scottish Rite Temple is one of the largest Masonic centers in the world and is located just 10 miles from Langston. The impressive building contains 116 rooms, including multiple theaters with hand-painted backdrops, and houses a museum showcasing Masonic artifacts and history. Visitors can take guided tours of this architectural marvel that represents the prominence of fraternal organizations in Oklahoma's early development.
15. Langston's Western Wear
PREMIER COWBOY OUTFITTER
Langston's Western Wear in Oklahoma City is a renowned western clothing retailer that has been outfitting cowboys and cowgirls since 1913. The store features an extensive collection of western attire, boots, hats, and accessories from top brands in the industry. Though not directly related to the town of Langston, this iconic store shares the name and represents Oklahoma's western heritage that influences communities throughout the state.