The Oklahoma Row Hotel was built as part of a resort community called Monte Ne by William “Coin” Harvey in 1900. At 316 feet long and 50 feet wide made out of logs, stones, and cement- it was believed to be the largest log hotel in the world. The resort declined in popularity and business in the 1920s. In the 1960s, the property was flooded by the United States Army Corps of Engineers to create Beaver Lake. The Oklahoma Row Hotel’s tower remains the only visible part.
Over the years, the Oklahoma Row Tower has deteriorated to the point of it being a safety concern for the public. The United States Army Corps of Engineers has worked with local historic preservationists and lawmakers to find cost-effective ways to preserve the Oklahoma Row Tower to no effect.
Outcomes
It was ultimately decided through the Section 106 process that the Oklahoma Row Tower will be demolished, starting on February 20th, 2023. The Army Corps of Engineers is working with the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, Rogers Historical Museum, and Arkansas Historic Preservation Program to preserve materials from the site to show in museums. There will also be educational signs put up in the area where the Oklahoma Row Hotel and Tower stood.
So What?
This case shows an instance where a structure may be too much of a safety risk or costly to be salvaged, and results in historic interpretation through signage and demolition.
