Harn Homestead
The History of the Harn Homestead spans over 100 years. In 1891, President Benjamin Harrison appointed Mr. William Fremont Harn to be a special land commissioner to help determine property ownership following the run of 1889.
Mr. Harn and his wife, Alice, moved from Mansfield, Ohio to Oklahoma City. His federal appointment ended in 1893. While Mrs. Harn hoped to return to their home state, Mr. Harn had become enamored with the potential of a brand-new Oklahoma City and wanted to remain and assist with its growth.
In 1897 he purchased a 160-acre plot to create a permanent home for his family. Additionally, Mr. Harn purchased land near downtown Oklahoma City and developed several neighborhoods, most notably Harndale, now known as Heritage Hills.
When the State of Oklahoma relocated the capitol from Guthrie to Oklahoma City, Mr. Harn donated 40 acres of his property for the construction of a new State Capitol. His neighbor, Mr. Culbertson, also donated 40 acres. The State Capitol now sits on both Mr. Harn and Mr. Culbertson’s donated land.
