C.G. "Gristmill" Jones

Stop 23: 268 Sw 7th

After building a flour mill in 1889, C.G. Jones emerged as an energetic businessman and civic leader, serving in the territorial legislature and as mayor of Oklahoma City.

Charles G. Jones moved to Oklahoma City from rural Illinois in the fall of 1889 at age 32, determined to find opportunity in the growth of a pioneer city. He quickly set about building a flour mill to meet the needs of the surrounding country and to make use of the water power to come from the new canal. The five-story grain elevator and mill was the largest building in town by the first winter of 1889-1890.

The failure of the canal the following winter was a setback, but Jones had converted to steam by the summer of 1891. The mill was the only facility of its kind within 120 miles, and its flour products won prizes from the Chicago Exposition in 1893. Jones earned the respect of his community and the lifelong nickname of "Gristmill."

Jones was elected to the first two territorial legislatures, serving a stint as speaker of the House. He served as mayor of Oklahoma City from 1896-1897 and again from 1901-1903. He was a leader in promoting railroads - notably the Frisco - and the State Fair. Platting townsites along the rail lines, he gave his name to the City of Jones, where he owned a farm, and his son's first name to the City of Luther.