Van-Sanford Apartments

Upon looking at the Van Sanford Apartments most wouldn’t suspect the rich history embedded within its almost 100-year-old walls. But as always history surrounds us, it surprises us and it shows itself in many different ways.

In the early 1900s, there was a couple in Seminole Oklahoma that were really making a name for themselves, that was J. Pick Sanford and Martha (Van Edwards) Sanford. In 1908 without any previous experience in the industry, they took over the local telephone office and ran it for 18 years before selling out to Southwestern Bell Co. in 1926.

Mr. Sanford went on to take over the Dodge Brothers automobile agency for a short year and was without work for a year after. But it wasn’t long before he was delving into a new industry, this time the lumber business with the Home Lumber Company working up to be chief stockholder, he continued to hold that position for many years.

In 1929 he entered another business venture, housing. Sanford, in partnership with builder and architect Paul E. Meeting, built the largest apartment house in Seminole for the period located on the corner of Seminole Ave and what was then called First Street. Before its new life the lot was held for a homestead during the oil boom, the Sanfords moved this home from the corner so that the apartment building could sit on the corner. After moving the house they occupied it to be close to the property. It housed 17 apartments, 16 upstairs and one in the basement. The basement apartment was originally planned as a club and recreation space in the original plans.

The apartment building paid tribute to both of the couple’s family names, taking the “Van” from the misses and Sanford from her husband. The first open house was held on June 16, 1929, with hundreds showing up to inspect the most up-to-date apartment house in Seminole. It took on a colonial style of architecture, this was further depicted in the electric arches of the fireplace. The apartments consist of three and fourm room units, the four-room units are on the four corners of the building and have a living room, bedroom, dining room, kitchen and bathroom.

For decades and decades, people shared moments, memories, and their lives in this building. Nancy Bergerson Young remembers he family owning the building in the ’90s around the time that the pool table was moved to the basement. Jim Moreu remembered it during a different time, “When I was growing up, the manager was Bill Bradley and his wife. I went in there many times with my Dad delivering groceries to some of the older people who didn’t drive. I remember there was a lot of nice woodwork on the stairs and doorways.”

Beverly Blagg McClendon lived there as a child for a year in the 1960s on the second floor. “The Brogden’s lived across the hall. Marcella would make sure I got off to school since Dad left for work early. Our apartment was 1 bedroom but Dad bought me a Hollywood bed and made the breakfast nook my bedroom. I have many happy memories of living with my dad in our little apartment. On Saturday night we went bowling or got a treat at Dairy Queen.”

But things changed very quickly when a destructive tornado blew through the town in May 2022. This left the Van-Sanford Apartments with too much damage to sustain tenants.

GuRuStu Restoration of the Van Sanford Apartments

Just announced in October of 2023, historic restoration specialists GuruStu Communities has taken on another project in Seminole Oklahoma. Many residents, former tenants and even former employees of the apartments are ecstatic to see it come to life again. “I’ve had the pleasure of being the rental manager over the last 12 years until the tornado. I know they weren’t the best to a lot of folks here in Seminole but if they only knew how these were so meaningful to so many who couldn’t find affordable rentals on a very small income. It gave them a roof over their head. I’ve made so many friends in the units over the years and yes unfortunately some that didn’t care for my rental rules . It was definitely a challenge more times than I can count but one of my lifetime adventures that will always remain with me. I can’t wait to hopefully see it restored,” said Keturah Dawson Ladd.

MICRO DOC ABOUT RENOVATION HERE

Gallery Below of Van Sanford Apartments

If you wish to support our current and future work, please consider making a donation or purchasing one of our many books. Any and all donations are appreciated.

Donate to our cause Check out our books!