Greer County Economic Trust Authority Purchases Historic Franklin Hotel

The Franklin Hotel has been an important part of Mangum history in years past.  In 1927 Ralph Helper of Mangum was attending an Elk’s Convention in Alva, Oklahoma.  While there a dream was birthed.  It was to have a hotel, not just any hotel, but the finest hotel in western Oklahoma right here in Mangum.  That was the beginning of an 18 month journey that began with the formation of the Mangum Hotel Company with 64 investors and ended in July 1929 when the doors of the Franklin Hotel opened for business.  The hotel cost $200,000 to build with $40,000 being used on furnishings.

The Franklin Hotel closed its doors in 1990 and is now owned by the Greer County Economic Trust Authority.  In June 2007 the Trust was notified that the Franklin Hotel has been listed on the National Park Service and is the Federal Government’s official list of historic properties worthy of preservation.  The previous owner of the Franklin Hotel had made application to list the hotel as a historic building.  With inclusion on the National Registry it also puts the historic building on the list of the State Registry of Historic Places.

Since the Trust purchased the hotel the Trust has repaired the roof and replaced the windows.  The hotel is now secured and available for new opportunities.