From my Oklahoma City postcard collection… I’m guessing this is a 1960’s vintage card. Here’s how the scene looks today.
New to this picture are the new Ronald J Norick Downtown Library (front right), the Oklahoma Tower (just behind the library) Originally posted on okchomesellers.com … (0 comments)
From my Oklahoma City postcard collection… From the cars in the photo, it appears this was taken in the early 1960’s. The Skirvin Hotel – From Wikipedia… History First opened in 1911, the Skirvin Hotel contained 224 rooms in a ten-story two-winged tower. A third 12-story wing was added in 1925, and then in 1929–30 all three wings were leveled off to 14 floors with a total of 525 rooms. The hotel is named for its founder, William Balser "Bill" Skirvin, whose daughter, Perle Mesta, became the ambassador to Luxembourg under Harry Truman. Haunting Rumors of a haunting in … (0 comments)
From my Oklahoma City postcard collection… First, I would be remiss if I did not point out the writers’ comment. “Living here (Oklahoma City) sure tempts us.” It’s nice to see someone from so long ago recognized the benefits of living here. The 1957 Worlds Fair she spoke of was the 50 year anniversary of statehood along with the opening of our State Fair Park. By the way, the actual postcard postage rate in 1956 was 2¢! I have no idea why they would have sent a postcard of the Oklahoma County Courthouse. And here’s how the courthouse … (0 comments)
postcards: Oklahoma City Skyline 1972 | Oklahoma City Historical Postcards
- 10/05/10 11:04 AM
From my Oklahoma City postcard collection… This postcard is from 1972 showing the Oklahoma City skyline from the east, looking west, on I-40. The skyline itself is not too unchanged at this point (minus the Murrah Building). Bricktown has been developed and the highways you see here have been replaced. Of course, the skyline will soon change with the completion of the Devon Tower, basically dwarfing the buildings seen here.
Originally posted on okchomesellers.com … (0 comments)
postcards: The Municipal Building — Oklahoma City Historical Postcards
- 09/26/10 11:45 AM
From my Oklahoma City postcard collection… The Municipal Building, also known as City Hall, was a part of the overall Civic Center development. It was built in 1936. The Municipal Building was built at a cost of $600,000. This is the core location of much of Oklahoma City’s government, housing the mayor, city clerk, city treasurer, city attorney and numerous city related services. Originally posted on okchomesellers.com … (2 comments)
postcards: Oklahoma City Zoo Amphitheater — Oklahoma City Historical Postcards
- 09/24/10 06:30 AM
From my Oklahoma City postcard collection… History The Oklahoma City Zoo Amphitheater was the first and principal structure built in Oklahoma City by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It was established to provide jobs for economic recovery during the depression. It was constructed from native sandstone during 1935 and 1936, with workers camping near the park. The first performance was "The Circus of 21 Death-Defying Acts". Other events have included an Annual Easter Pageant, concerts, dance programs, plays, and public meetings. The Amphitheater fell into disrepair in the 1960's, but restoration efforts began in the late 1970's. The Zoo Amphitheatre has … (0 comments)
postcards: Gold Dome Bank | Oklahoma City Historical Postcards
- 09/21/10 11:27 AM
From my Oklahoma City postcard collection… The Gold Dome Bank was built at the corner of Classen and NW 23rd Street in 1958. This was the fifth geodesic dome structure built in the world, and many people traveled to Oklahoma City at the time to see the bank and its’ gold dome. In 2002 the structure was placed on the 11 Most Endangered Historical Places list. Fortunately, it was ultimately saved. Originally posted on okchomesellers.com … (2 comments)
postcards: Walter E. Allen Chrysler-Plymouth | Oklahoma City Historical Postcards
- 09/18/10 08:01 AM
From my Oklahoma City postcard collection… Walter E Allen moved from Detroit to Oklahoma City in early 1940. He had purchased the Chrysler and Plymouth distributorship for central and western Oklahoma. He operated out of this location at 13th and Harvey from 1946 through 1955. He retired in 1955 and moved to Florida. I know that in 1956 this building became a Chevrolet dealership and I still remember going there to see the new 1958 Chevrolets!
And here is the building today, housing Able Rents and Sales. … (0 comments)
postcards: Belle Isle Power Plant — Oklahoma City Historical Postcards
- 09/14/10 02:16 AM
From my Oklahoma City postcard collection… This was a really cool building, much cooler than this picture indicates. On the back of the postcard it is described as “America’s most beautiful power plant”. It was torn down in 1999. The location is east of Penn Square Mall and is the current site of the shopping area with the WalMart Super Center. But there’s history here. Oklahoma City’s street cars used to run the length of Classen Boulevard, up to what used to be the Classen Circle. In 1907 construction began on Belle Isle Lake and a power plant to provide … (0 comments)
postcards: Fine Foods Restaurant — Oklahoma City Historical Postcards
- 09/12/10 02:13 AM
I have to admit – I don’t recall this restaurant. But it definitely looks like it might have been my kind of place. I love diners! It certainly looks a lot more like a diner than a ‘fine food’ restaurant. The location was 330 West Grand (now Sheridan). This places it across the street from the Hudson Hotel and Hotel Black and just a block west of the Biltmore Hotel. So I would assume those provided most of the clientele for the restaurant. It looks like there were rooms above, so local residents also probably ate there. The Hudson and … (1 comments)
As I grew up in Oklahoma City, going to the zoo, Monkey Island is probably what I remember most. Unfortunately it’s not longer there. Monkey Island was a popular attraction at the zoo for 60 years. A Brief History of the Oklahoma City Zoo The zoo originally opened in Oklahoma City in 1904 (before statehood) in Wheeler Park. That’s on South Western just north of the Canadian River. The first animal acquired was a deer fawn and by 1909 the zoos’ collection consisted of 125 animals. In 1923 after a major flood in Wheeler Park the zoo moved to … (0 comments)
postcards: Adair's Tropical Cafeteria — Oklahoma City Historical Postcards
- 09/10/10 01:10 AM
Just west of Taft Junior High, and east of Drexel on NW 23rd sat Adair’s Tropical Cafeteria. Adair’s operated at this location throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s. Unfortunately, Oklahoma City is not very tropical and neither was Adair’s. I do recall going there on numerous occasions and that they had good food. Once again one of Oklahoma City’s independent cafeterias. To my knowledge, this was their only location. Today the building houses the 23rd Street Antique Mall.
Originally posted on okchomesellers.com … (2 comments)
From my Oklahoma City postcard collection… There were many, many independent cafeterias in Oklahoma City in the 1940’s, 1950’s and beyond. The Boulevard is the only one which remains open today. The Boulevard opened originally in 1948 in what is now the EMSA building. In 1975 it moved across the street to its’ present location. RetroMetroOKC.com has a nice history of the Boulevard. Original Boulevard Cafeteria Location Current Boulevard Cafeteria Location … (0 comments)
From my Oklahoma City postcard collection… Oklahoma City was once known as the cafeteria capital of the world. We did have a lot of great cafeterias here, but the Lady Classen was perhaps the most well known. When the Lady Classen opened in 1954, it was at the far reaches of town, being at NW 70th and May Avenue! But it was an Oklahoma City landmark for 40 years. Unfortunately they lost their lease in 1994 and closed. Steve Lackmeyer has done an excellent history of the Lady Classen. I remember my grandfather taking the family to dinner there … (2 comments)
postcards: Skirvin Hotel — Oklahoma City Historical Postcards
- 09/07/10 10:11 AM
From my Oklahoma City postcard collection… The Skirvin Hotel is Oklahoma City’s oldest hotel and has been host to presidents, and me… It opened in 1911 and is truly a grand hotel. It has been a downtown Oklahoma City landmark for years. Unfortunately it closed in the 1980s and was finally purchased by the city in 2002. The city eventually sold it and it reopened in 2007 as the Skirvin Hilton. It is absolutely beautiful now. My 20th anniversary was in May and we were given a night in the Skirvin as a gift and I can tell you that … (0 comments)
postcards: Springlake Amusement Park — Oklahoma City Historic Postcards
- 09/06/10 09:37 AM
From my Oklahoma City postcard collection… Happy Labor Day everyone! Since this marks the unofficial end to summer, I thought I would show one of my favorite summertime activities as a child growing up in Oklahoma City — Springlake Amusement Park. It’s sad it’s no longer here, it closed in 1981. It was truly a classic old-time amusement park. From Springlake’s Facebook page… Springlake Amusement Park was an amusement park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It was originally established in 1922 (some sources say 1924) by Roy Staton about six years after his spring-fed pond at NE 40th and Eastern (now … (0 comments)
postcards: Main & Robinson — Oklahoma City Historical Postcards
- 09/05/10 10:17 AM
From my Oklahoma City postcard collection… This photo is from the early 1950’s and is at Main Street on Robinson looking south. I remember Katz Drugstore there on the corner as it was a great place to go in for a cold drink when I was downtown. Katz Drugstore gained fame in 1958 when it was the site of Clara Luper’s civil rights sit-in – one of the first in the country. The State Theater is seen here and discussed in a previous post. The only building still standing today is the Colcord Building seen at the back right … (1 comments)
postcards: Midtown Oklahoma City — Oklahoma City Historical Postcards
- 09/04/10 09:15 AM
From my Oklahoma City postcard collection… This card is postmarked October 14th 1914. And it has a 1¢ stamp! These houses are no longer there although they look much like the homes still in existence in Mesta Park just to the north of this location. See Mesta Park homes for sale below. This area is now primarily commercial and a part of ‘Midtown’ Oklahoma City. The MIDTOWN area was developed in the early 20th century with a mix of uses including residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional. For decades, the area thrived as Oklahoma City continued to grow automobile centric. However, … (0 comments)
postcards: Oklahoma City Air Terminal — Oklahoma Historical Postcards
- 09/02/10 03:46 AM
From my Oklahoma City postcard collection… This is where it began for me. If you know me at all, you know that flying was my first life. In 1957 the National Air Show was held in Oklahoma City at Will Rogers Field. I clearly remember taking relatives to the airport before the show. A fighter was practicing for the show, broke the sound barrier and blew all the windows out of the terminal. That was impressive for a 9 year old kid! We went back the next week to the show and I was hooked. Little did I know … (1 comments)
postcards: Main Street — Oklahoma City Historic Postcards
- 08/31/10 01:42 AM
From my Oklahoma City postcard collection… This photo is definitely before my time! This would be Main Street looking east and appears to be taken in the early 1930’s. On the left is Street’s Department store which remained in Oklahoma City until the 1980’s or 1990’s. Kerr’s Department Store is on the right and I do remember going there as a small child. The tall buildings in the background are the Ramsey Tower which became City Place and the First National Bank Building. … (0 comments)
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