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Once upon a time, downtown Oklahoma City was an empty stretch of prairie along the North Canadian River. In 1832, Thomas James recalled his visit to the area ten years before. In "Heart of the Promised Land Oklahoma County," The Oklahoma Historical Society's Dr. Bob L. Blackburn quotes James' description of central Oklahoma as "'a very fertile and beautiful country, which will in a few years teem with a dense population.'" James was right. Before 1860, Oklahoma was divided among a number of Indian tribes. The area that would become Oklahoma City belonged to the Creek and Seminole nations. The Creeks and Seminoles backed the Confederacy in the Civil War. They were punished with loss of lands, including today's Oklahoma County as well as federal imposition of railroad rights of way. The coming of the railroads changed the face of the whole North American continent. People and goods could be moved rapidly and cheaply over land for the first time in the history of mankind. Settlement became much easier. By 1887, the Santa Fe railroad was sending daily trains across the North Canadian River in what was then called the Unassigned Lands. The intersection of the railroad and river was a natural focal point for the Boomers who were demanding the opening of the Unassigned Lands for settlement. In 1888, the Creek and Seminole nations were paid to cease any claims on the Unassigned Lands. The first land run was set for April 22, 1889. By nightfall, the population of the little railroad station on the North Canadian River had grown to upwards of 6000 people. Tents and shacks quickly marked city lots along today's Main and Sheridan Streets. Urban planning took an early back seat to a real need for law and order. William L. Couch, a Boomer leader, emerged as the first mayor of Oklahoma City. If railroads gave Oklahoma City its location, farming brought prosperity. Farmers had crops to ship and required manufactured goods. More railroads were built in Oklahoma along with new businesses to serve the needs of a growing population. Early downtown Oklahoma City businesses were built by men named Frank Harrah, W. O. Church, Henry Overholser and J. B. Wheeler. Private water and utility companies soon followed. By 1903, the rough edges of the city had been smoothed over. Oklahoma City emerged as the largest city in Oklahoma territory. Manufacturing, more railroads and a new wave of farsighted businessmen led to real urban planning. The first streetcar system was begun by a group that headed by Anton Classen and John Shartel. Once in place, the citizens of Oklahoma City had convenient access to outlying parks like Delmar Gardens near the corner of Western and Reno. Paved roads, sewers and gas mains were also transforming the city. Between 1908 and 1910, 575 acres were purchased via subscription fund to build Stockyards City southwest of today's downtown. New investments in utilities and other major construction projects resulted from this injection of cash and confidence. In a 1910 election, Oklahoma City defeated Guthrie and Shawnee to become the state capitol. New downtown buildings in 1910-11 included the Oklahoman Building and the Skirvin Hotel. The next few years of growth led to severe water shortages until Ed Overholser built his lake west of the city. Prosperity built Automobile Alley along Broadway, which held 52 auto dealerships in 1920. Farming built banks and the Cotton-Exchange. Oil built the Magnolia Petroleum Building in 1919, the Petroleum Building in 1931 and put derricks all over the city. When the Depression hit the nation, oil muted some of the destitution. City Manager Orval "Red" Mosier used federal relief assistance to match local funds for the construction of the Municipal Auditorium, the County Courthouse, Police Headquarters and City Hall which were completed in 1937. During the 1960s, the Urban Renewal Authority purchased and cleared good, bad and indifferent old construction to renew and upgrade downtown Oklahoma City. The Medical Center between NE 8th and 13th streets was planned and built. St. Anthony's Hospital was renovated. The Myriad Convention Center and the Oklahoma City Theater Center were built. Major construction projects of the 1970s and '80s included American First Tower at Main and Robinson, First Oklahoma Tower and Leadership Square. Internationally famous architect I. M. Pei designed Myriad Gardens. Downtown renovations came about because the vision of the post World War II world was change, growth and freedom. The freeways built near downtown Oklahoma City weren't enough to maintain a vibrant city economy. It wasn't until MAPS, the innovative urban renewal project of the 1990s, that Oklahoma City came into its own with new public buildings and a massive canal / river system fashioned after San Antonio's Riverwalk. canal photo and more about OKC Today, downtown Oklahoma City area is booming. Tomorrow's future holds new promise. |
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