Christmas: 2004 Beckham County Courthouse

2004: Beckham County Courthouse

Sayre, Oklahoma

The cornerstone for the present courthouse was laid in 1911, built by Oklahoma Quarries and Construction Company. Outstanding features include colossal Doric columns above the main entryway, classical pilasters, a grooved surface on the ground floor, and distinctive belt courses. The most unique part of the design was the dome, with a colonnade supporting a vaulted and babbled roof, on top of that was a smaller dome reproduced to scale. And for just a few seconds, the courthouse has a cameo role in the 1940’s movie, “The Grapes of Wrath.” As the Okies round a corner on their way out of Oklahoma, they drive past the picturesque, domed building.