LAWTON — Caretakers of a historic home in Lawton need help making repairs after a recent storm damaged 100-year-old roof tiles and other parts of the house and property.
The Mattie Beal Home, which has stood at 1008 SW 5th Street since the early 1900s, sustained damage to its clay tile shingles, parts of the wrought iron fence, gutters, window screens, trees and security lights during a hailstorm that hit Lawton earlier this month.
As a result, board members of Lawton Heritage Association which oversees The Historic Mattie Beal Home have applied for a grant to repair the damage. At the same time, LHA is requesting other private donations so they can repair the rest of the damage and remain open to the public for its weekly and weekend tours, according to board member Abby DeBaca.
About 75% of the home’s original tiles need to be replaced, which will cost an estimated $165,000, DeBaca said.
“It’s hard to find those kind of tiles in this part of the country,” she said. “A huge tree branch also fell on the fence -- and it was no little tree. It was 90 years old. The fence was bowed, and 36 finials were cracked off and will need to be repainted.”
Aside from grants, money received by The Mattie Beal Home comes from tour fees and Lawton’s hotel-motel tax.
“We’ve known for years we would need a new roof, but we needed the money,” board member Yuri Schendel said. “We need help. We need the community to get behind us and save this house. It’s an important part of Lawton.”
Beal received a 160-acre allotment during the Land Lottery of 1901, according to the Lawton Heritage Association website. “Instant fame was hers and she received hundreds of marriage proposals, but it was local lumberyard owner Charles Payne who stole her heart. They were married in 1902.”
Beal agreed to give some of her property to frustrated settlers who had failed to acquire a townsite lot. She also donated land for two parks, a school, church and was benevolent in promoting culture in the city.
“Mattie Beal’s generous spirit and gregarious personality made her the belle of early Lawton society,” LHA’s website shows. “This (home) was the scene of many bridge parties and social events in early Lawton. The ballroom was often alive with music, dancing, friends and neighbors.”
Mattie Payne died in 1931 and the home was sold eight years later.
Ownership of the home changed hands several times from 1939 until 1974. By the late 1960s, neglect and vandalism had taken its toll and the home was scheduled to be demolished. However, the Lawton residents and LHA raised enough money to purchase the property in 1974. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places that same year.
LHA has sponsored a series of restorations. The latest, funded by the McMahon Foundation and a federal grant through the city, returned the home to its 1923 appearance.
Tax-deductible donations may be made by going to www.lawtonheritage.org or by mailing a contribution to Lawton Heritage Association, P.O. Box 311, Lawton, OK, 73502. Cash donations are accepted during tours.
Self-guided tours are available noon to 3 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Group tours are available on request by calling (580) 678-3156. The home is also available for luncheons, meetings, weddings and receptions.