The Beacon Club was formed in 1941 by a group of Oklahoma City businessmen "with" the leadership of their first President, Henry Griffing. The primary function of the club was to provide a "luncheon rendezvous" for members to meet, greet and exchange ideas and information. In addition it sought to create exchange or reciprocal arrangements all over the U.S. for benefit of its members.

The original Charter was:

"To conduct, carry on, maintain and operate a nonprofit club for the purpose of owning, operating and maintaining facilities and purpose of the recreation of its members an honorable and noteworthy concept"

The Club opened in the late 1941 on the 31st floor of the First National Building. All equipment and furnishings were owned and operated by Faber "Goob" Reid and he called his operation the "Rainbow Room." He catered exclusively to member of The Beacon Club.

In July 1949 Faber Reid sold his operation to The Beacon Club and became its first General Manager.

The Original Board of Directors was composed of:

Frank Buttram
Earl W. Miller
Joseph Connolly
B.A. Ames
Steve Anderson, Jr.
Ancel Earp
C.L. Frates
Henry Griffing
Willis L. Smith
Streeter B. Flynn
Harvey P. Everest
R.W. Dozier
C.R. Anthony
R.W. Drake
Leslie Fain

In 1949 the Club acquired the 30th floor as a lunch floor and remodeled the 31st floor for dining and dancing in the Rainbow Room. (Members had to walk-up from the 29th floor)

The entire West Side of the 31st floor was open terrace which was both enchanting and dangerous, so in 1955, the Club enclosed the terrace, installed the private elevator from the 29th floor to the 30th and 31st floors, and obtained the 32nd floor for General Offices of the Club.

In 1961, the Club leased the 29th floor and added the buffet luncheon.

Through the years many significant Oil & Gas, Agricultural and Civic transactions were negotiated and sealed over meals at The Beacon Club.

Many National and International notables were guest at the Club, including:

Sir Oliver Frank, British Ambassador
Robert Stevens, Secretary of the Army
John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Hedda Hopper, Hollywood Columnist
Lillian Gish, Actress
Muhammad Pahlive, son of the Shah of Iran
Carol Channing, Stage Star
Arturo Toscanini, Conductor

For many years during the Bud Wilkinson era, The Beacon Club hosted dinner and dancing after each game, all were well attended. Two buses departed from the front of the building each game day, with box lunches and cocktails, under the direction of Ike McDonald and Lorine Williams.

Countless wedding receptions, major social and civic gatherings, numerous sorority and fraternity functions have graced the club facilities over the years. Club Membership grew to an all time high of 1,086 in 1982.

Various remodeling project began to undertake over the year, such as:

In 1970 the 30th and 31st floors were remodeled
In 1974 the 29th floor was remodeled
In 1976 the kitchen was refurbished
In 1979 the 30th and 31st floors were refurbished
In 1987 the 29th floor was completely gutted and refurbished

1987 was the last major refurbishing. Due to extreme uncertainties concerning the future of the First National Building everyone wrestled with the future of the club, knowing full well that it would be pointless to refurbish without assurance of the future of the building.

"We have tried to be patient while listening to the assurances and promises of ownership, and the ultimate disappointments of failed promises". During the last ten years at the First National Building the membership dwindled to 396. The major factor had been the declining appearance of the club and its limited facilities for major functions.

The Board concluded that any investment in the current property would be unwise. "We have no faith in the future for this building either as to the timing of its "resurrection" or even if it will survive."

The Beacon Club Board of Directors President, D. Stanley Deardeuff, and General Manager, Mike Sameri, announced Wednesday, February 19, 1997, the historical Clubs plans to relocate club facilities to the Oklahoma Tower.

Although at first reluctant to leave The First National Building, which "houses the pages of The Beacon Club history," Mr. Deardeuff explained that the time involved in renovating and bringing the building up to current standards could spell certain demise for the historical club.

"Rather than dying within the pages of our history, we have decided in the spirit of our predecessors to embark upon a new and hopeful course, to honor our past by securing our future. With great anticipation and pride, we have entered into a 12-year lease for the entire 24th floor of the Oklahoma Tower which consists of approximately 18,733 square feet."

Unlike the facilities of the First National Building, the 1.3 million dollar project offers a facility capable of providing for up to 350 guests attending a sit-down event or 1100 guest enjoying a stand-up function. In addition to exquisitely decorated Main Dining areas, the new club design provides an unmatched panoramic view of Oklahoma City, an elegant library, much requested wine room, and individual private rooms for every possible meeting or dining requirement.

The new location has brought the club an atmosphere of warmth, blended with elegance and dependability to the Oklahoma Tower and promises to offer the very best to every celebration, no matter what the size or occasion.

Today, with its steadily increasing membership, The Beacon Club continues to live up to it's original billing as the "Top of The Town".