CIMARRON HERITAGE CENTER - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Architect
• Architect for the Cox House

Bruce Goff (1904-1982) was born in the small town of Alton, Kansas. His family moved to various cities in Oklahoma. Goff began his career at the age of 12 working for an architect. By the age of 14 one of his designs was published and when he was 17 one of his designs was under construction. By the age of 21 he had designed 25 structures, of which 12 were built. Bruce Goff was a student of Frank Lloyd Wright and later served as department head for the University of Oklahoma School of Architecture. Bruce Goff designed the Cox House in 1949 for Julius and Opal Cox. He was commissioned by Julius Cox at the request of Mr. Cox's son Winton who served with Goff during the war. Julius Cox was the general contractor for the home. Compared to Bruce Goff's other works, the Cox House is considered conservative, yet distinctive.

Julius Cox commissioned Goff again in 1959 to add on a bedroom, a porch and basement. By previous agreement, all architecture changes had to be designed and approved by Goff. Cox was again the general contractor for the addition.