Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of Oklahoma state, first settled on April 22, 1889. After the Settlement, the population of the town doubled between 1890 and 1900. The city was initially developed as a distribution point for crops and cattle; large stockyards were built, which attracted people and jobs from other states. Meatpacking plants were established, and when the railroads arrived in the city, it doubled the trade. The first oil well in Oklahoma City was discovered in 1928, which significantly accelerated and expanded the economy, and at one time, about 1,400 wells were producing oil within the city limits. World War II brought several industries, Air Force base and the city became a significant hub in the national Interstate Highway System. In the 1970s, Patience Latting was elected as the first female mayor of Oklahoma City.
Here below are some interesting historical photos of old Oklahoma City form the early 20th century that shows street scenes, architecture, cityscapes, streetcars, and everyday life of people.
#1 Children of May Avenue camp pumping water from thirty-foot well which supplies about a dozen families, Oklahoma City, July 1939
#2 Railway workmen with handcar, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, February 1940
Leave a Reply
One Comment
-
Crazy that now OKC is more famous for the 4 car Amtrack passenger train “Hearltand Flyer” smacking into a car hauler than for being a commerce thotoughfare, isn’t it?
![Manley Creasson [Creason], 914 West Sixth Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, March 15, 1917](https://www.bygonely.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Oklahoma_City_historical_photos_18.jpg)
Where was May Avenue camp?
Just south of the North Canadian River and west of the meat-packing district.
I assume it has to be by the river, but I could be wrong.
Before the river was straightened a bend of the north Canadian came through where the fairgrounds are today, during the Depression it was a massive homeless village