Hales Building

At 12 stories, the State National Bank Building was one of the first big buildings on the Main Street retail corridor. It was constructed at the same time as the Colcord and Baum Buildings one block south in 1910 and this spurt of skyscraping brought a deep sense of pride and progress in the still-young city. In 1931, the building was sold to the very wealthy W T Hales, who had made his fortune in trading mules and horses.

At 12 stories, the State National Bank Building was one of the first big buildings on the Main Street retail corridor. It was constructed at the same time as the Colcord and Baum Buildings one block south in 1910 and this spurt of skyscraping brought a deep sense of pride and progress in the still-young city. After merging with other banks, the building was known as 1st National Bank, and when the big 33-story 1st Natl Bldg was built in 1931, the building was sold to the very wealthy W T Hales, who had made his fortune in trading mules and horses.

The Hales Building was a beautiful classical design and its bright white exterior and elevation above its neighbors made it instantly recognizable. Adding to its exposure, its owner painted HALES vertically in stark Black and white lettering to leave no doubt as to its ownership.

The Hales was in the Galleria site, and it seemed that each day that passed without a Galleria contract the Hales might be able to survive the wrecking ball. The public mood had turned bitter and angry against demolitions after the demise of the Biltmore and preservationists stepped up efforts to try and save the Hales. The Hales heirs even offered to buy it and renovate it. However the Urban Renewal Authority had struggled to find a developer for the Galleria and they had just signed a contract with a developer who agreed to take it on if the Hales was demolished. The Hales Building was imploded in May 1979.

"Contractors Rush Business Blocks." Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City) June 20th 1910. .5.

"State National Bank is in Its New Home." Oklahoma City Daily Pointer (Oklahoma City) August 15th 1910. .6.