an aerial view of a building under construction
The Atherton Hotel at Oklahoma State University

History

Discover the Atherton Hotel at Oklahoma State University with elegance and sophistication in a warm and inviting atmosphere.

The Atherton Hotel at Oklahoma State University was constructed in the years following World War II, in which the United States was defined by the Civil Rights Movement and the Cold War. Ground broke on The Union Club in 1948, as part of Oklahoma State University’s initiative to provide student union housing. The Union Club’s doors opened in 1950 offering guests some of the finest amenities of the day. Ice tap water came standard as did automatic elevators.

Nicknamed, “The Student Union Hotel,” the premises provided a practicum for students studying hotel and restaurant management.

The Atherton Hotel at Oklahoma State University has played host to some of the best and brightest since its opening in 1950. Presidents, including Jimmy Carter and Harry Truman, foreign dignitaries, and Hollywood celebrities have stepped through The Atherton’s doors.

In 2001, The Union Club underwent an extensive renovation and emerged as The Atherton Hotel at OSU, named for the OSU alumnus Bill Atherton who led the fundraising efforts.

The Atherton’s premiere restaurant, The Ranchers Club, opened in 2005 offering guests a new dining experience to complement the newly-renovated property.

an aerial view of a building under construction

Hotel Timeline

Oklahoma State University broke ground on the Union Club, conceived as part of the university’s new Student Union and intended to provide campus lodging and practical hospitality training.

The Union Club opened in 1950 as the first purpose-built hotel inside a university student union. Known as the “Waldorf of the West,” the 81-room Georgian-style hotel offered advanced amenities while serving as a practical training facility for Oklahoma State University hospitality students.

The Union Club entered an extensive, approximately $6 million, lobby-to-roof restoration supported by fundraising led by OSU alumnus Bill Atherton.

Following the multi-year restoration, the property was reintroduced as The Atherton Hotel at OSU, honoring Bill Atherton’s leadership and support. The hotel opened its premier restaurant, The Ranchers Club, adding an upscale dining experience to the restored property. 

The Atherton Hotel at Oklahoma State University was inducted into Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

A new renovation began to reposition the property as a full-service boutique hotel. The redesign reduced the room count from 81 to 69, allowing for larger and more refined accommodations.

The extensive interior renovation, valued at approximately $20 million, neared completion in February 2016.

1948
1950
2001
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2005
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2016
The Architecture

"The Atherton Hotel at Oklahoma State University is a Georgian-style gem that originally opened in 1950 as the Union Club. In 2001, The Union Club underwent an extensive renovation and emerged as The Atherton Hotel at OSU, named for OSU alumnus Bill Atherton who led the fundraising efforts."

Famous Historic Guests

The Atherton Hotel at Oklahoma State University has played host to some of the best and brightest since its opening in 1950. Presidents, including Jimmy Carter and Harry Truman, foreign dignitaries, and Hollywood celebrities have stepped through The Atherton’s doors.