Mattie Beal Traditional Cache

Mattie Beal was an adventurous 22-year-old telephone operator from Kansas who decided to put her name in the Oklahoma Territory Land Lottery. Her name was selected in July 1901 and she selected 160 acres surrounding the present location of the mansion. Over 500 proposals of marriage followed and six years later she married Charles Payne, a wealthy lumberyard owner. They built the 14 room Italian and Greek Revival style mansion in 1909 that features lavish woodwork and stained glass.

Mattie Beal was a gracious hostess, and a kind and considerate person. She donated her time and money to her new community, providing land for two parks, a school and a church. She and Charles had three children before her death in 1931 from a ruptured appendix.

The house was sold in 1939 and changed hands several times through 1974. At one time it was divided into apartments. By the late 1960's, neglect and vandalism had taken their toll, and the Mattie Beal Home was scheduled to be demolished. The Lawton Heritage Association purchased the Home and restored it to its former splendor. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.