Trait Thompson

Magic City Books is proud to welcome Trait Thompson, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Historical Society, for a special in-person event to celebrate his book, The Oklahoma State Capitol on Tuesday November 15 at 7:00 pm. This free event will be hosted in the Algonquin Room at Magic City Books and Mr. Thompson will be in conversation with Representative Carol Bush, District 70.

Oklahoma was admitted as a state on November 16, 1907 and we are celebrating the 115th birthday of statehood with an event celebrating the wild and unpredictable history of the State Capitol building.

The on-again, off-again effort to construct the statehouse lasted five years as Oklahoma City and Guthrie jockeyed back and forth, each laying claim to the capital city. Finally, seven years after statehood, ground was broken on the capitol. Oklahoma’s third governor, Robert Williams, seeking to keep costs low, put himself in charge of the Oklahoma State Capitol Building Commission and made the following controversial decision that would be debated for decades afterwards: he would forgo the structure’s planned ornamental dome. It would not be added until 85 years later. Dome or no dome, the capitol has served as the People’s House, a place for Oklahomans to let their voices be heard throughout the generations.

Copies of The Oklahoma State Capitol are for sale at Magic City Books and there will be a book signing at the conclusion of the program. If you are unable to attend the program but would like to purchase a signed copy of the book, visit https://magiccitybooks.square.site/product/the-oklahoma-state-capitol/915.