Charles "Gristmill" Jones  

Dates in office: April 13, 1896 - April 12, 1897
                             April 8, 1901 - April 13, 1903
Born: November 3, 1856
Died: March 29, 1911

Charles Gasham “Gristmill” Jones, a native of Illinois, came to Oklahoma City in late 1889. He worked to promote development in the City and was a key player in the expansion of the railroads. Jones was the first Mayor to serve two nonconsecutive terms. His first term as Mayor lasted only one year, an election was held April 6, 1897 and he did not run as a candidate.

During his second term, a bond was issued to build the first City Hall building on the northwest corner of Broadway and Grand and the water-treatment plant’s capacity was increased to meet the needs of the growing city, now with a population of over 8,000.  In the years 1901-1903, the Mayor and City Council passed ordinances regulating the operation of the railroads in the City, construction of sidewalks and roads, and levied the first property taxes to be collected for general revenue.

After leaving office, Jones remained active in civic affairs.  He served as Chair of the Single Statehood Executive Committee, lobbying to unify Indian and Oklahoma Territories.  

Jones’ homestead in Jones, Oklahoma, a town named after him, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.