On the corner of 5th Street and Weigle Avenue in Watonga is a white, twostory building that looks like something straight out of an old newspaper clipping. That’s because, well it is. The Ferguson House was built in 1901 by T.B. Ferguson just before he was named by President Theodore Roosevelt as Oklahoma Territorial Governor. Ferguson would be the longest serving territorial governor for Oklahoma Territory. However he had many interests and in addition to being a governor, he was trained as a teacher and minister and even took an interest in writing and journalism.
Ferguson moved to Watonga in 1892, during a land run that year. After moving to Watonga, Ferguson started a newspaper that is still in circulation today, The Watonga Republican. He would remain the publisher of the Republican until his death in 1921. Years after Ferguson passed away, his widow, Elva Shartel Ferguson, returned to the home with novelist Edna Ferber. The Ferguson Home provided much of the material for her novel “Cimarron” The novel was turned into a feature film in 1931. Elva Ferguson was flown out to Hollywood to show the actors and actresses in the movie how to use the printing presses correctly.
Today, the Ferguson Home serves as a museum in Watonga. It provides a look back at the history of not only the town, but the state. The Home also plays a significant role in the annual Watonga Cheese Festival. Runners of the Great Rat Race will pass right by the Ferguson Home. Visitors can look at all the history preserved in the house for themselves every Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.