| City/Town: • Pawhuska |
| Location Class: • Hotel/Motel |
| Built: • 1910 | Abandoned: • 1990's |
| Status: • Abandoned |
| Photojournalist: • David Linde • Johnny Fletcher |
Built in 1910 by brothers Charles and George Duncan, the Duncan Hotel was the site of many social and civic events. It was also the original home of Liberty National Bank and numerous luxury apartments. The building stands on the southeast corner of Main and Osage and was later expanded with a new addition during the oil boom of the mid-20’s. The original section of the hotel was destroyed by fire in 1981 and was demolished, leaving the addition to stand alone. According to the Pawhuska Chamber of Commerce, the building sits vacant and is for sale. It may be in danger of demolition if a buyer is not found soon.
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From what I’ve gathered the owner wants to “preserve” history by not disturbing anything in the old hotel along with all the other boarded up buildings in Pawhuska. Total waste of thinking! If there was a way to “force” him to do something or sell for safety sake then someone could start to restore these buildings for use.
Wonder who to contact about it being for sale? Would love to restore it back to its original condition with modern conveniences.
My daddy and I went to the Manhattan Restaurant a lot, and the local ranch cowboys often ate their lunch at the restaurant. There was a bar in the hotel, on a top floor. I won't say how I know this, but I saw the inside of it a lot when I was between 12 and 14.
I heard about Duncan Hotel and it was one of the most famous hotels and it was the site of many social and civic events. Thank you for sharing all the photos of Duncan Hotel, it helps us to know the current situation of Duncan Hotel.
I always want to see historic buildings saved, if possible. From the pics, looks like a lot of deterioration and would really need to be checked for structural stability before any money invested in renovated. Perhaps someone could cull the stairs, brick and other items for another building before it would need to be demolished. Best wishes to whomever takes on this project.
I do hope that the remaining section of the Duncan can be saved somehow. It seems a great waste to let it fall to pieces.
It's a sad thing to see part of Pawhuska's Historic town ,to just set there as if know one cares.At one time ,it housed people on monthly bases,part of I would suppose ,each family that lives here,at one time or another had a loved one whom lived there.Maybe just for a night, or maybe longer. It would be nice to see it up and running again. To walk down those halls and remember your loved one. We love to see the pictures,why not more. Maybe take that $4. we pay each month that was only till the Hospital got OUT OF THE RED! Some of that money,or maybe the last 3 yrs of it could go for something like this. Of course we would have to have someone for see that project ,other than one whom just wants to deepen their pockets! This is only my opinion,I'm sure there are alot more out there.
Just curious–what was this building being used for in the 1990's? It would have been cool to make it into apartments or something…but I guess in Pawhuska there's not much need for innovative housing? Interesting photos of the staircases too!!! Take care-Tery
I explored this place as a kid, as kids are wont to do. In the remaining addition, there's a huge firehole from the basement to the roof. Very dangerous.
I also explored and played there as a child. My two aunts worked there in the 40's.
Wow, this place is amazing…