Capitol Cornerstone Centennial Marked

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Oklahomans braved a stiff wind and steady drizzle today to celebrate the centennial of the Capitol cornerstone laying, commemorating both an important event in Oklahoma history and a key time for the future of the people’s building.

“A hundred years ago this building was just one stone, this stone,” said Oklahoma Secretary of Finance, Administration and Information Technology Preston L. Doerflinger. “Today, look at it. It’s a magnificent achievement.”

On Nov. 16, 1915, thousands of Oklahomans marked the state’s eighth anniversary with a parade from downtown Oklahoma City to future site of the Capitol, where nearly 15,000 people watched the Masonic Grand Lodge of Oklahoma place the Capitol cornerstone.

Dr. Bob Blackburn, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society, set the scene of 100 years ago for those in attendance today.

“Every community has symbols that mean something to them that take us back to a time,” Blackburn said, noting that the Capitol grounds back then were surrounded by open prairie. “This was out in the countryside, connected by streetcar. The cornerstone is a symbolic mile marker in this story that is the State of Oklahoma.”

The Masonic Grand Lodge then rededicated the 4-ton Capitol cornerstone that sits at the base of the Capitol’s southwest corner with a short ceremony presided over by Grand Master Dudley Ridge Smith. The Masonic square and compass were placed atop an open Bible, with Smith explaining that the “G” in the symbol’s middle stands for God and geometry, the science used to build such buildings as the Capitol.

During the rededication ceremony, the Masons had three cups containing corn, wine and oil placed next to the cornerstone. The corn, symbol of plenty, was for the people that worked and labored for the good of Oklahoma; the wine, emblem of joy and gladness, was for refreshment and rejuvenation; and the oil, signal of peace, was for light and knowledge.

Oklahoma Treasurer Ken Miller addressed the crowd with the words spoken in 1915 by Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice Matthew J. Kane:

“The Capitol is a monument to law and order; it is a guarantee that the rights vouchsafed to the citizen by the Constitution shall be protected and always held inviolate; it is an adamantine vow that government for the people, of the people and by the people shall never perish from earth.”

Miller followed, “Let’s dedicate ourselves to make sure it never does.”

Doerflinger closed today’s events by talking about the Capitol’s future. Doerflinger is the director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, which is overseeing the Capitol’s restoration. Doerflinger noted that it was fitting how parts of the initial restoration were happening right behind the cornerstone.

“We’re all proud to serve this state and work in the Capitol building,” he said. “In a few years, we’ll have this building ready to last another 100 years.”


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