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bench and surrounded by linear source lights. The courtrooms are paneled in walnut veneer that was hand-picked by
Gumerson during a trip to a lumber mill in Savannah. The veneer is book matched, a process that requires cutting each panel to create mirror-images of the wood grain. These panels were installed to create symmetrical designs throughout the courtrooms. A similar process was used for the marble surfaces in the building. Black and white marble panels, which have a faint greenish cast, clad the walls of the elevator lobbies and public corridors on each floor. Polished terrazzo floors unify the interior spaces throughout the building.
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Gumerson's plans for the new five-story building were approved in 1959. Gumerson incorporated several innovative ideas for the interior spaces, which he designed for flexibility and function. When the federal judges indicated that they were resolving many cases through efficient pretrial conferences
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In the 2000s, the building has undergone several restoration projects. The exterior walls were cleaned, restoring the original warm shades of the granite and limestone. The walnut paneling in the courtrooms has been refinished to its original tone, correcting yellowing of the varnish that occurred
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The exterior is largely devoid of architectural ornamentation. However, Gumerson allowed for a few decorative elements to articulate the entrances. The main entrance is recessed and flanked by diagonally positioned limestone panels that form a sawtooth, accordion-like pattern, creating texture and
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and one hearing room. The district courtrooms and a ceremonial courtroom occupy the third floor and extend two stories. Designed for the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, the original fifth-floor courtroom contains a unique circular lightwell, which is located directly over the judge's
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to design the new building. At that time, architects were designing federal buildings in Modern styles using innovative forms and materials. Following these trends while also retaining some traditions such as the use of high-quality materials and minimal
Classical detailing, Gumerson eschewed the
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building with a box-like form and minimal adornment. Architect Dow
Gumerson paid special attention to the scale and details of the nearby 1912 U.S. Post Office and Courthouse, sensitively designing a building that does not overshadow neighboring architecture. The building is an example of
495:, an agency of the United States government, and is reproduced with the express permission of that agency. All works derived from this material must credit the U.S. General Services Administration. The original text produced by the General Services Administration is
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era. Gumerson avoided many of the typical, mundane federal designs of the 1960s, making the building unusual among government facilities of its time. Gumerson's design is also notable for its use of fine materials on both the interior and exterior.
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rather than long trials, Gumerson included special rooms resembling libraries that were less intimidating than courtrooms for informal meetings. These spaces remain in place, although some now serve additional functions such as
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that killed 168 people. Today, the
Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum occupies the site. The Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse withstood the blast, although some windows and lights shattered.
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spearheaded the effort to secure funding for a new federal building and courthouse to be constructed directly north of the existing building. The government selected
Oklahoma architect
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The
Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is located within a federal complex that includes the U.S. Post Office and Courthouse and the Murrah Parking Garage and Plaza. The
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since its installation. In the ceremonial courtroom, four of five original skylights have been uncovered to admit natural light as initially intended.
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Federal
Judicial Center Historic Federal Courthouses page on the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma U.S. Court House and Federal Office Building (1962)
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U.S. General
Services Administration facilities page on the Federal Building and United States Courthouse, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
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the illusion of movement. Entrances on the east and west elevations are framed with geometric patterns executed in aluminum. Two
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for the judges. Construction was completed in 1961 at a cost of $ 7 million. Early occupants of the building included the
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U.S. General
Services Administration page on the Federal Building and United States Courthouse, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
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By the mid-1950s, the federal government had outgrown its courtroom and office space in Oklahoma City in the 1912
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sculptures of stylized grouped figures adorn the limestone walls above the side entrances. Noted sculptor
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in Tulsa who studied American aboriginal art, created the figures. Although Frazier initially designed
450:"Ceremony Marks Naming Federal Courthouse in Oklahoma City for Circuit Judge William J. Holloway, Jr"
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1962 photograph of the Federal Building and United States Courthouse, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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ornate architecture of the past and designed an unadorned yet dignified building.
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supports. It also retains characteristics of the earlier distinguished
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William J. Holloway Jr. United States Courthouse (the United States)
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United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma
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United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma
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United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma
313:"Unity", one of two sculptures on the facade of the courthouse.
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style that architects used for federal buildings during the
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United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
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Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse, Oklahoma City, OK
301:(1923–2014), a former chief judge of the Tenth Circuit.
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National Register of Historic Places in Oklahoma City
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Material on this page was initially produced by the
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United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
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United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
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United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
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207:William J. Holloway Jr. United States Courthouse
22:William J. Holloway Jr. United States Courthouse
317:The Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a
297:In 2016, the building was renamed in honor of
211:Federal Building and United States Courthouse
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535:Buildings and structures in Oklahoma City
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243:U.S. Post Office and Courthouse
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117:200 Northwest Fourth Street,
91:Show map of the United States
16:Courthouse in Oklahoma, U.S.
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60:Location within Oklahoma
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189:Design and construction
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157:35.472889°N 97.51694°W
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368:Philbrook Art Center
173:Construction started
162:35.472889; -97.51694
63:Show map of Oklahoma
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101:General information
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471:"Weekly listing"
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198:Dow Gumerson
145:35°28′22.4″N
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135:Coordinates
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403:References
385:courtrooms
360:bas-relief
223:courthouse
148:97°31′01″W
109:Courthouse
399:in 2021.
352:colonnade
344:limestone
324:Formalism
194:Developer
181:Completed
328:columnar
245:. Judge
229:and the
219:Oklahoma
124:Oklahoma
114:Location
377:Destiny
348:granite
225:of the
319:Modern
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453:(PDF)
372:nudes
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
