One of Oklahoma's premier pioneer architects, Layton and his firm are credited with designing more than 100 educational, public and commercial buildings across the state. He created plans for Oklahoma City public schools, the Governor's Mansion, the Ponca City Civic Center, the Oklahoma County Courthouse and several buildings at the University of Oklahoma.
Many buildings he designed are on the National Register of Historic Places, and the USAO campus in Chickasha is on the list.
"He did just so many great projects, and his legacy is just outstanding," said Rand Elliott, principal for Elliott + Associates Architects. "His legacy is very rich, and we are the beneficiaries."
Layton was born in Lucas County, Iowa, in 1864, and gained his talent from his father, Andrew, a carpenter and builder. According to "A Standard History of Oklahoma," Layton got his start working as an "office boy" for a Red Oak, Iowa, architect.
He opened his own business in Denver in 1887, according to The Oklahoman archives. His firm was wiped out by economic panic in 1893, so he participated in the Cherokee Strip Land Run. When he couldn't find a claim he liked, he tried to start a firm in Perry, then moved back to Denver.
Layton, who favored neoclassical style, established offices in El Reno in 1902 and later moved to Oklahoma City. He was involved in bringing about the 1910 vote that moved the state capital from Guthrie to Oklahoma City.
Paul Bruce Meyer, state Capitol architect and curator, said it is encouraging that so many of Layton's buildings remain long after his death in 1943 at age 78.
"We respect all those buildings for the quality that they have, and it's great that they're still standing. ... There's so much history in those buildings," Meyer said.
While some of Layton's creations have been destroyed, many still are in use or experiencing revivals. The former Oklahoma Publishing Co. headquarters is the home of the YMCA. Oklahoma Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Co. recently bought the old Central High School building from AT&T Oklahoma.
The state Capitol in 2002 finally got the dome Layton originally planned for it. The Skirvin is under renovation and scheduled to reopen as a Hilton hotel late next year. Elliott is working on the project to restore the Mid-Continent Life Building, which will become the Oklahoma Heritage Association's Edward L. Gaylord/Boone Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Center.
"They (Layton's buildings) are a very important part of the fabric of our community because they remind us of the quality of the way things were done at that time," Elliott said.
Editor's Note: Leading up to Oklahoma's centennial, The Oklahoman will profile Oklahomans who have made a significant contribution to the success of our state.
The Oklahoma Heritage Association tells Oklahoma's story through its people. To learn more, go online to www.oklahomaheritage.com.
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