Nichols was just one of the many businessmen taking advantage of the booming construction industry after World War I. Charles M. Dunning, who purchased this Colonial Revival home in February of 1919, was one of the more successful building contractors.

Dunning was a native of Chicago who had attended the Armour Institute and Chicago School of Architecture. After graduating in 1901 he began a career in construction and moved to Oklahoma City during the boom in 1909.The Dunning Construction Company built many of the city’s finest buildings, including the WPA City Hall and Jail.

In 1943 Charles Dunning moved out, but his son, John M. Dunning moved in with his wife, Florence. The younger Dunnings remained until 1955, and then sold the home to Miryl Garrett and W.D. Bill Morris. The Morrises enclosed the screened-in porch and redecorated. Miryl was a piano teacher and taught many neighborhood children in her studio on the east side of the home. She had numerous recitals throughout the years, including her annual Christmas recital where students were able to select a Christmas ornament from her Christmas tree that they could take home. She also had a Bach and Beethoven recital where the students dressed in period clothing and played on a harpsichord.

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