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.
You are looking for a magnetic key holder with a log.
Please bring your own pen/pencil.
The cache is located outside of the fence. Daylight only
please. Be sure to put it back into place after signing the
log.