| City/Town: • Nowata |
| Location Class: • Hotel/Motel |
| Built: • 1909 | Abandoned: • N/A |
| Status: • Abandoned |
| Photojournalist: • Billy Dixon • David Linde • Johnny Fletcher |
The Savoy Hotel was built in 1909 as a modern elegant hotel with 62 rooms. It was built to accommodate the many new visitors, workers, and businessmen coming to the oil and gas boom town of Nowata, Oklahoma. This year, 2009, represents her 100-year anniversary. So saving this wonderful structure from complete destruction is a fitting birthday present to bestow upon this year.
An oil well drilled in Nowata struck “radium” water at a depth of 1500 feet. Many people touted the health benefits of this water and thus the Savoy hotel added “Radium Water Baths”. So on February 16, 1916, J. R. Cruff started a Radium water bathhouse at the Savoy. The bathhouse had the latest and most modern apparatus with bathing experts in charge.
The mineral baths were good at healing for rheumatism, stomach trouble, malaria, nervous trouble, skin diseases, as said by the owner J.R. CRUFF. (source: Men of Affairs and representative Institutions of OK, 1916)
In the 1940’s it was the County Hospital.
Some renovation was done in the 1990’s and the building was used for events, dinners, weddings, and even for a feature film, “Possums”, in 1998.
But the roof began leaking a few years ago and soon nature was rapidly trying to reclaim what man had built 100 years ago.
For much more information, and to learn about helping to preserve this great piece of history, visit http://www.savethesavoy.com.
My companion's grandparents in-law used to claim this building. My companion and her better half had two flats there, the main transitory while they arranged the other. The proprietors additionally lived in a loft there. They were all on the second floor. We ventured up to the third floor once, even in 2002 it was a dubious place. I trust the last time I remained there was in 2003
I was born in the Savoy. The West half of the 2nd floor were apts and the East half was the hospital. Mom walked down the hall to the hospital and I was delivered by Dr Kiefer Davis on May 6, 1942. In 1947, we moved back to Nowata from Alluwe to 114 E Modoc St, and I started grade school in 1948.
My grandfather was Dr. Kieffer Davis, and my father was also born there in 1944. We just stopped to look at the building. It's a shame someone isn't willing to renovate this beautiful building.
I had no idea Dr Davis had a son 2 yrs younger than me. We moved to Tulsa in Nov 1050 when I was in the 3rd grade, so your Dad would have just started the 1st. My teachers were 1st grade – Miss Dunn, 2nd – Mrs Richardson, and 3rd – Miss Zona McCracken. Your Grandfather also treated my Mom for poison ivy when she was in HS in Alluwe, in his office over the Rainbow Theater in the late 30's.
I really loved this article! It gave me some new insights I never really thought about before.
Only a side note and cautioning: The 2 upper floors are exceptionally temperamental and not alright to explore because of water harm. We were exceptionally careful and didnt even get the opportunity to look at the third floor. If it's not too much trouble be cautious on the off chance that you attemt to enter this bldg.
Then again you can simply make the most of our pics right here!
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hats amazing…. i will make plan for next month… really wanna see these things
I really would like to speak with you about the savoy. Thank you for your time. 918-273-1699
who built the Savoy?
Construction workers
if i wanted my crew to go ghost hunting at the Savoy, whom would I contact?
I am the new owner of the property. This year has been a turning point in the situation with the Savoy Hotel. We have just completed the new roof on most of the building. The building sustained tremendous damage over the last 20 years because the roof should have been replaced long ago. It took a lot planning and some brave workers to build a whole new roof on it. Now we are working on bracing the interior and we will be renovating the building back to its condition when new. Every detail will be carefully restored. This is not… Read more »
Maybe an interesting story for RSU Public TV. They like telling history in Green country 918-343-7649
hello my name is Tiny West, I have lived in Delaware all my life and I have always found myself in Nowata at least once a day as long as I can remember, sadly I have never even looked in a window of the awesome ol building, but it would be my pleasure to help with a bit of the restoration of such a great building. I soon will take on a sad task of removing an old building from a property in Kansas, and reclaiming a lot of the old flooring, wood molding and fixtures and would be glad… Read more »
My friend's grandparents in-law used to own this building. My friend and her husband had two apartments there, the first temporary while they prepared the other. The owners also lived in an apartment there. They were all on the second floor. We did venture up to the third floor once, even back in 2002 it was a tricky place. I believe the last time I stayed there was in 2003.
Per the Nowata Star this building has been sold …
HAS OF TODAY PART OF THE ROOF HS FALLING IN AND i WILL BE TALKING TO THE OWNER ABOUT DONATING THE PLACE TO OR MINISTRIES
Really? You want someone to just give you the building? Typical. Oh, sorry Doctor Reverand Bishop Holiness Yeazel.
To the new owner, can you give us an update on the renovations?
We should start charging churches taxes to get rid of "reverends" like you.
The owner should donate his fist to your face! Doctor Reverend Weazel!! See you in hell!!
Wow. I'm sure glad that I found this site today. I didn't realize the Savoy was in such bad shape. Back in the mid-to-late 1990s, I performed DJ services in the lobby of this hotel with my now-defunct DJ company, EKG Mobile Music. I played music for at least two or three wedding receptions and a few proms over the years. As time went on, I got to know the (at-the-time) owner and renovator, Chuck Price, and he seemed like an extremely nice guy. I remember how proud he was of decorating the ceilings with real gold paint trim, and… Read more »
Thank you Badger for the comment! This is the reason we exist, to help the memories live on!
I just discovered your site, I love Oklahoma and her history!! I really enjoyed the pictures of the Savoy—I have to see more of your photos when I sit still again!! Good job-take care–Tery
This has nothing to do with nothing, but I was born in the Savoy in September of 1942. I remember hearing dad say "they had some rooms they used as the hospital" but I got the impression that it was still a hotel. I don't think they did surgery or any major medical procedures.
That’s so cool
Loved seeing the pictures. I remember when the Savoy was in its hayday back in the 50s. Sure hope it can be restored to its former glory.
Thinking it was still being restored. A few years of water has taken back what was done. Sad to see.
I believe that is a form of a public address system. It likely used pre-recorded carts/tapes to make announcements during the day, probably on an automated schedule of some sort.
The tapes are very similar to the "Cart" format that was used in almost every radio station in the world back in the 70's and 80's and which is still in use in many today. Basically a slightly different version of the more common "8-Track" format invented by Lear of Lear Jet fame.