Volume 13 , Issue 2

Nickels / Ensor / McClure Home Restoration

The Nickels / Ensor / McClure home that stands at 13th & Locust Street, on the southwest corner, in Alva, Woods county, Oklahoma, is continuing its restoration of this pioneer home that dates back to the early days of this northwest Oklahoma community.

It was in our OkieLegacy Ezine, Vol. 11, Iss. 45, dated 2009-11-09 that Jerry Cathey comments on the feature concerning the Nickel/McClure Mansion Restoration. Jerry says, "I work at the Ponca City Art Center (Soldani Oil Mansion b 1925) One of the Soldani granddaughters married Doug McClure, the actor (he signed our guest book about 1985). I love the home in Alva and wondered if there was a connection. I did some research thru the Alva newspaper and one of the Nickols or McClure families made a train ride back to W Va (West Virginia) about 1915 for a funeral, I believe."

Restoration Progress On Nickel / Ensor / McClure Home

Mark Bellah purchased this pioneer awhile back and has been doing restoration and gives us an update of the progress,"The train ride would have to have been Nickel as McClure's time would have been in the late 1950's early 1960's. I would love to hear more about the train ride if you have more info. Yes! It was called the Ensor mansion, Dr. Danny Boy Ensor bought the home in 1941, and one daughter (Evelyn) still lives here in Alva. The address is still 1301 Locust, and the restoration is coming along slowly but surely.

"The home is mostly furnished now with turn of the century antiques, with the exception of the theater in the basement. We have had to do tireless work to find original light fixtures as some were missing throughout the home. The tile roof will be the largest task to date and should begin in the Spring. The kitchen and ballroom are underway at the present. We are still searching for pictures of George and Lena Nickel, and pictures of the interior of the home pre-1940 if anyone can help. Thank you."   |  View or Add Comments (3 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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