Photo Record
Metadata
Catalog Number |
1974.013.016 |
Collection |
Galbreath, Frank |
Object Name |
Print, Photographic |
Date |
12/25/1915 |
Description |
Black and white photograph measuring 20" x 16" and depicting the residence of the family of Robert Newton Bynum, located at 423 South Cheyene Avenue (northeast corner of West 5th Street and South Cheyenne Avenue) on Christmas Day, 1915. The house was razed for the construction of the Mayo Hotel, which opened in 1925. Robert Newton "R. N." or "Bob" Bynum was born February 17, 1858 in Jackson County, Alabama to parents James Monroe Bynum and Martha Caroline Proctor Bynum. He married Electra Bell McElroy on December 7, 1878 in Eufaula, Creek Nation. She was born November 1859 in Ohio to parents John Hamilton McElroy and Nancy Blackburn McElroy. R. N. and Electra Bynum became the parents of at least seven children which included the following: Arthur H. (1879-1963), Claudy J. (1881-1886), William Thomas (1883-1968), Mable M. (1886-1911), Zella Roberta (1892-1967), Robert Roy (1894-1977), and George Theron (1898-1962). In 1886, the Bynum family moved to Tulsa, Creek Nation, where R. N. Bynum opened a mercantile business located about the intersection of South Main Street and 1st Street. At that time, the family lived in a wood-clad house located at the intersection of South Main Street and 2nd Street. The family later built an impressive, two-story, brick house at 423 South Cheyenne Avenue. In 1902, R. N. Bynum sold his mercantile business and formed the Bynum Realty Company. The same year, Bynum financed the construction of a two-story, brick commercial building at 201-203 South Main Street, the location of the former Bynum home. It was completed in 1902 and known as the Bynum Building. Farmers State Bank opened for business in this building on October 19, 1902. R. N. Bynum became the second mayor of Tulsa, Creek Nation. He was mayor during the turn of the century, serving a one-year term from 1899 to 1900. During his time as mayor, he and other Tulsans urged for the creation of the first public school system for the city. In 1899, the city acquired the grounds and building of the former Presbyterian Mission School. Bynum was active in the Tulsa Commercial Club and served as a "booster" or promoter of the burgeoning city. Bynum was also a charter member of the first Masonic lodge in Tulsa. Electra Bynum died at age fifty-seven on April 17, 1917, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was buried in Oaklawn Cemetery. R. N. Bynum died at age sixty-nine on January 27, 1927 in Tulsa, and was also buried in Oaklawn Cemetery. |
Search Terms |
5th Street Christmas families houses snow scenes South Cheyenne Avenue |
People |
Bynum, Robert Newton |
Place |
Tulsa, OK |