Victor Harlow, Oklahoma’s foremost business and political journalist during the 1920s, included the first owner of this distinguished Colonial Revival home in his select list of “Oklahoma City’s young leaders.” That rising young star, with an equally well-known wife, was Wilbur Hightower.

Wilbur was born in 1893 in Altus, Greer County, Texas, three years before the U.S. Supreme Court transferred that large county to Oklahoma Territory. His father, Charles C. Hightower, was a banker, rancher, and merchant who had founded Altus.

Wilbur, or Billy as he was more commonly known, attended Altus High School, Evanston Academy in Chicago, and Northwestern University, where he made 2nd Team All-American in both football and baseball. In 1917 he enrolled at the OU Law School, then joined a group of former school mates and enlisted in the French Army fighting the Germans. After serving on the front as an ambulance driver, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. On furlough in Oklahoma, he courted and married Evelyn Johnson, the daughter of Frank Johnson, president of the American National Bank and one of Oklahoma City’s leading industrialists. After he was discharged from the service, Hightower worked his way through the ranks at the family bank and eventually became vice president.

While in the house on 21st, the Hightowers were blessed with two children. They remained in the home until 1927.

In 1954 the home was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Howard Richeson. He was transferred to Oklahoma City to become Treasurer of the Oklahoma Division of Southwestern Bell. Their daughter, Elizabeth, would eventually buy the home at 419 N.W. 21st. In the late 1990s Murray and Chelle Anderson purchased the home, moving from 223 NW 21st. They had two children, Thatcher and Ali. Murray had grown up at 514 NW 14th Street. Chelle was from Seminole. They met at the University of Oklahoma.

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