William Harn

Originally from Mansfield, Ohio, William Fremont Harn (1859-1944) was sent to Oklahoma to work for the General Land Office to assist the United States Attorney prosecuting land jumpers and Sooners in 1891. Following his work in the General Land Office, in 1902 Harn began working toward the development of a streetcar system along with John Shartel, Anton Classen, and other city leaders, and developing real estate.

Having decided to stay in Oklahoma, he purchased 160 acres of land in a rural part of northeast Oklahoma City. Eventually he would donate 40 acres of that land to be used for the Oklahoma capitol complex. The rest of the land used for the capitol complex was donated by J.J. Culbertson. Harn also owned land in what is now the Heritage Hills neighborhood north of downtown Oklahoma City. His home, Harn Homestead, is now a museum.