History Page 2

 The Oklahoma Confederate Home was officially opened in July, 1911 and John L. Galt a former Confederate Officer, and grandfather of Ardmore, was named the first Superintendent of the Oklahoma Confederate home in Ardmore, Oklahoma. John Galt was the the first Mayor of Ardmore, Indian Territory.
The United Daughters of the Confederacy chapters around the state completely furnished all the sleeping in the home. A plaque with the sponsoring unit�s name and location was placed on each door. 
There were eight stipulations governing admissions to the home as listed -  
1. Residence in the state of Oklahoma for two years prior to the date of application.
2. Honorable service in the army or navy of the Confederate States.
3. Physical inability to support self or family.
4. Wife or widow of any soldier or sailor of the Confederate States.
5. A full �Muster and Description List,� certified to under oath by applicant, identified and endorsed by two comrades. No person of unsound mind shall be admitted. 
6. Certificate of judge or county clerk, that he believes applicant to be worthy of admission and that if admitted, the county clerk will furnish transportation to the Home.
7. In counties where there is a camp of United Confederate Veterans, approved by the Commander and Adjutant of such a camp and an order for admission signed by the President or Vice-President.
8. Applicant must obligate himself to perform such duties as policing the grounds, caring for the lawns, beautifying the home, and such other duties as the Superintendent or his assistant may direct.
Approximately eighty-five veterans, wives and widows became the first residents. By the act of the Oklahoma Legislature, the state agreed to maintain the home for twenty-five years or as long as there were eligible people in need of care. The response to the home was so great that it became too small for the number who sought admission. One year after its opening, an additional $16,500 was asked of the Oklahoma Legislature to build and equip an annex capable of housing twenty additional residents.
By 1922, the Oklahoma Confederate Home plant consisted of the main building, a hospital, an annex for twenty additional residents, three barns, a power house and several smaller wooden structures. The main building was of gray brick, 133 by 84 feet. Two large porches were supported by four Ionic pillars. In 1922 it was staffed around the clock by licensed nurses, the home physician always on call. The total appraised value of the home in 1922 was $161,000.00; this figure did not include the land, livestock, farm tools, touring car or farm truck. One hundred and four residents were housed in the Oklahoma Confederate Home that year.
In 1923 John L. Galt passed away and was buried at Rosehill Cemetary in Ardmore, Oklahoma. This indeed was a sad time for Ardmore. John Galt was a Legend in Social, Economic, and Political development for Confederate Veterans, Ardmore, And the State of Oklahoma.
In 1942, early in World War II, the board of trustees of the Oklahoma Confederate Home offered its facilities to the War Department of the United States for training and housing men and women of the armed services. The few veterans, wives and widows still residing in the home were moved into the south hospital building, and the other structures were turned over to the Federal Government.
After all the Confederate veterans in Oklahoma had died, the 1949 Oklahoma Legislature opened the home to Oklahoma veterans of the Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II. Mr. Howard J. Lindell was the first Superintendent under direction of Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs at the Ardmore Plant. The deed specified that the state was to care for Confederate veterans� widows as long as they lived and needed assistance. In 1955, there were twelve widows remaining. A building was set aside for them, with medical care provided. 
In 1961 all of the Residents except for the (confederate widows) were moved to Sulphur Veterans Hospital because of personal problems between Senator Tom Tipps of Ardmore and Leonard Saffa the Superintendent of the Ardmore Veterans Home. All the residents were brought back when Julian Noland became the Superintendent in 1962.
In 1963 a Building was erected on the far South side of the property for an Auditorium, Recreation Room, and a Canteen. It was also the first Building in the World named after John F. Kennedy, who was Assassinated on November 22, 1963. It was named the John F. Kennedy Memorial Building. I talked with Mr. Julian Noland one day at the local Wal-Mart store and he confirmed this. He stated that on November 24, 1963, he was putting down the tile to that Building when Lee Harvey Oswald was murdered by Jack Ruby on that Sunday.
In 1967, a Domiciliary section of 38 beds were converted to provide Nursing care and in 1969, 42 more were converted unnder the Administration of Julian Noland. MR. NOLAND WAS ADMINISTRATOR FROM 1962�1980. I have spoke to a lot of retired employees and some of the people who in the past lived here and that know Mr. Noland and most of these people would say that Mr. Noland was the best Administrator in Ardmore! I will stay out of this argument since I am telling the story!

Mr Joe Mathews was the next Administrator and got quite a bit done under his Administration. In 1982, a 100 bed nursing care addition was built under the Administration of Joe Mathews. In November 1985, 41 additional nursing care beds were added also under the Administration of Joe Mathews. He retired in 1987 and Passed away a few years later. Mr.Lonnie Norton was Administrator from 1987 � 1999 but he (Lonnie) worked at the Ardmore Center many years. He was Assistant Administrator under the Administrations of Julian Noland and Joe Mathews.
In 1998, a two story Long Term Nursing Care Wing and a New Dietary Services Addition was built and opened in 1999 under the Administration of Lonnie Norton. Assistant Administrator at this time was Lawrence Boley and Project Coordinator was Rex Morris.

Mr. Gary Robertson has accomplished a lot since being the Administrator. We now have all new Roofs over the the whole facility, new circle drive, new laudry room, new barbershop, new smoking room for our residents, a brand new bus for our residents to go on special outings, and a new pavilion built for out side events.

Goto Page 3

Go Back To Page 1