A project of the Oklahoma City / County Historical Society
Oklahoma City / County Historical Society
Stories, photos, and community contributions from the classic okchistory.com collection.
[missing image]devon_book_cover.JPGOperation Scissortail is the latest book written by Steve Lackmeyer and Jack Money. The book details the months-long development of Devon Energy Center and the Project 180…
[missing image]devon_book_cover.JPGWe are very happy to announce the release of our latest book, "Operation Scissortail," a narative history of the construction of the 50-story Devon Energy Center and…
With thousands attending the grand "re-opening" of the Myriad Gardens, let's go back to a great 2004 discussion of the gardens' history between then Mayor Kirk Humphreys and…
Welcome to what may be one of the best single collection of Oklahoma City history - all from the archives of the Oklahoma City Police Department. Anyone interested…
We begin Part Four of the Atkinson series by listening to the man himself. In this interview, brought online for the first time by OKC History with the…
W.P. Bill Atkinson was a success by any definition as America entered a period of economic expansion and innovation in the 1950s. Already a successful homebuilder, developer and…
Nothing has come easy for Stage Center or for its supporters, it seems.Forty years ago, though, optimism blossomed as local headlines announced that internationally-renowned director and actress Margaret…
(All photos courtesy of the Atkinson Center)W.P. Bill Atkinson was on the rise as the United States entered World War II in 1941. Not a bashful man, Atkinson…
Several months ago we promised to tell the story of W.P. "Bill" Atkinson - the late publisher of the Oklahoma Journal, gubitorial candidate, earlyday homebuilder, and founder of…
July 14, 2010 A year-long effort to make Oklahoma City history more accessible goes public Thursday with the unveiling of Retro Metro OKC and the group s website,…
We've written about Automobile Alley before, including a "then and now" sequence of photos showing the area right after the 1995 bombing of the nearby Alfred P. Murrah…
Our latest addition to our historic films collection is a short on the man who created some incredible footage of Oklahoma City during the 1930s - Arthur Ramsey.…
Forgive us for our absence the past several weeks. We've been very busy helping stage the succcessful return of the I.M. Pei model to public view (learn more…
For the longest time it looked as if the following video might only be presentable at speaking events. But thanks to Justin Tyler Moore over at www.abandoned oklahoma.com,…
"Skirvin," the latest book by Steve and Jack, has been named a finalist in the 2010 Oklahoma Book Awards. Stay tuned to find out this spring whether "Skirvin"…
(Rendering from Boulevard Cafeteria collection)ForOklahoma City,DoloresRestaurantis just a memory – another great restaurant that faded away after being a local favorite for decades. But forLos Angeles, the legend…
JANUARY 30, 2010 - Trying to get to the Central Avenue Bridge today is not the easiest of exercises, given the ongoing construction of the re-aligned Crosstown Expressway.But…
The folks at Rainbow Chinese Restaurant seem nice enough. But this story isn t about Rainbow Chinese Restaurant it s about a mystery and the restaurant s building…
As we celebrate what perhaps may be the whitest Christmas in Oklahoma City history, what better time to go back in time to when shoppers braved the snow…
Once upon a time there was a depressed stretch of bungalows along NW 23... and then something magical happened. Watch this video... and then learn the rest of…
On the bustling Classen Boulevard, so many stories are awaiting to be told: the Milk Bottle Building, the original Classen Cafeteria, Rainbow Records, Kamps, the Gold Dome, and…
Steve's note: Over 20 years reporting at The Oklahoman I've been blessed to meet people who were truly living history. Whether you like him or not, it's difficult…
Jack and Steve's latest book, "Skirvin" hit stores with a launch party December 9, at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel at 1 Park Avenue, downtown Oklahoma City. The book…
[missing image]95DC9B0E-650A-4F1A-8116-42929BE7E4C8.jpgHEY KIDS! READ THIS RARE CAPTAIN MARVEL COMIC FOR YOURSELVES HERE!With World War II winding to an end, Captain Marvel was flying high as America s most…
Terry Taylor, a veteran downtowner and former assistant city planner, has shared these great photos showing the dramatic transformation of Broadway, now known as Automobile Alley. Believe or…
Jack Money recently enjoyed a guided tour of Oklahoma City's historic Farmers Public Market - a tour provided by proud owner Burt McAnally. What he discovered may surprise…
Southwest Monument at 7200 S Western may look pretty mundane these days, but once upon a time it was the launching pad for a major country-western recording artist…
OETA's Centennial Stories provides an entertaining look back at Springlake Amusement Park. But for the entire story, visit Doug Loudenback's blog, www.dougdawg.blogspot.com or buy his book, Springlake. Archive…
Kirk Humphreys ran for Oklahoma City mayor in March 1998 knowing the city's Metropolitan Area Projects was running short on the cash needed to ensure all the projects…
For 18 months, the sign outside the once grand Lincoln Plaza Forum simply read change is coming. But would the arrival of a new Ramada Inn flag in…