TESTPAGE6 – HOTEL WHITING

WELCOME to THE WHITING

Pawhuska, Okla (918) 287-4839

A visit to the historic Hotel Whiting in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, is a truly unique experience. There are 20 restored hotel rooms. But they are not “over-restored” by gutting and building back all new. Instead, the building has the unreproducible charm of a true careful restoration.

Built in 1920 as a commercial apartment building, The Whiting retains the layout of the original eleven commercial units on the ground floor. With the exception of the north-most unit that serves as the hotel lobby, they are all occupied by stores that sell quality apparel, antiques, furs, art, jewelry, etc. And on the second floor the original 20 apartments have transitioned into 20 historic hotel rooms over the last few decades, without disturbing the original layout, trim, doors, etc. They are perfectly suited for this role due to interior hotel hallway access, spacious closets, kitchenettes, full bathrooms, living areas, etc…..and some units even have a separate additional bedroom.

Suite TWO

Suite THREE

Suite FOUR

Suite FIVE

The HOTEL WHITING was originally known as “The Whiting Apartments”, a.k.a. “The Whiting”. It was built circa 1920 by VERNON WHITING as Pawhuska was rapidly growing due to the oil boom that spawned local Oklahoma millionaires such as Frank Phillips (Phillips 66) and E.W. Marland (Marland Oil).

LAYOUT: There are 20 apartments on the second floor but they are split across 4 upper building “blocks”, that protrude from a continuous first floor of 11 commercial units spanning the west side of Ki-he-kah Street from the 7^th Street Stairs all the way to 8th Street, approximately 250 feet.

URBAN PLANNING: The building was a ground breaking achievement of urban planning at the time. It is nestled into the edge of the forests that come down the hillside, at the base of Agency Hill (atop which sits the Osage Agency). This creates a feeling of being on the ground level when approaching the upper apartment level from the west. But clearly from the front it is actually a 2 story structure. The 4 apartment building “blocks” on the upper floor are generously spaced apart, giving a feeling that one is again at ground level surrounded by open paved space. The courtyards/terraces and balconies surround all of the four buildings. The front cantilevered balcony is over 10 feet deep, creating a great social experience between the residential tenants and the active commercial areas and sidewalk and street below. This kind of interaction was/is rare in downtown buildings, especially in 1920 and especially in Pawhuska.

ARCHITECTURE: The architectural style of “The Whiting” has many Arts and Crafts elements, as exemplified by its simple horizontal and vertical lines, brick reliefs, and 8-over-1 double hung sash windows. It also has some early Art Deco influences in the stucco geometric stepped parapet facade.

MANY TENANTS: Over the decades, The Whiting Apartments has been the home of storekeepers, oil field workers, recently married couples, retirees, etc.

THE BUILDERS: The Whiting Apartment building was built (circa 1920) by Mr. VERNON WHITING (more info) and his second wife, Mrs. MAUDE A. WHITING (more info). The above photos of them were taken circa 1924.