User:Kaelynkrandall/History of Oklahoma City

Pre-Settlement

Prior to the Land Rush of 1889, the territory Oklahoma City fell under was known as the “Unassigned Lands”, which were located just north of the Chickasaw Nation, and covered roughly 2950 square miles in central Oklahoma. The term “Unassigned lands” was first coined in 1879 by Elias C. Boudinot, a mixed-blood Cherokee Journalist, who believed that the territory should be open to white settlers.

Map of Indian Territory in Oklahoma Circa 1894, Library of Congress Maps and Geography division

This territory of Oklahoma was not inhabited by any of the displaced indigenous tribes from the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and was located in central Oklahoma, surrounded by the other claimed indigenous territories. The Cherokee Nation fell to the north, bound by the Cherokee Outlet. On the east, the Potawatomi, Shawnee, Sac and Fox, Pawnee, and Iowa reservations resided. Just south of the Unassigned lands, the Chickasaw Nation fell, and the Cheyenne Arapaho settlement fell to the west. The lands were crossed by five rivers, including "the Canadian, the North Canadian, the Cimarron, the Deep Fork, and the Little", which provided natural borders, and a perfect combination of thin topsoil for grazing cattle, and rich bottomland soil for raising crops, thus making it greatly desired by white settlers who wanted to stake their claims to the inexpensive lands.

Prior to the opening of these Indigenous territories, the Boomer Movement saw forced raids and staked claims at sites in the unassigned lands, such as in present day Oklahoma City and Stillwater from 1879 to 1888. These raids, publicly led by David L. Payne and William Couch only saw brief success, and settled a town known as Ewing, present day Oklahoma City, in 1880. Despite this, were constantly overthrown and escorted out of the lands by U.S troops. However, they continued to enlist Boomers, and illegally made settlements in the Unassigned Lands and in the surrounding settlements until the Land Rush 1889.

Early History (1889-1917)

Oklahoma City was officially opened to the public for settlement on April 22, 1889 with the Land Run and caused substantial settlement growth seemingly overnight. Oklahoma City was put under a provisional government, as the federal government did not expect the need to establish laws in the new territories, until the Organic Act that was passed under the Wilson Administration on May 2, 1890. This act applied the laws that were put in place for Nebraska to the newly settled Oklahoma Territories as a place holder until local governments could establish legislation. Oklahoma City was officially incorporated as the county seat for the second of the seven Oklahoma counties, with Guthrie Oklahoma as the capital.[1]

The first provisional mayor of Oklahoma City was William L. Couch, one of the leaders of the previous Boomer movement, who resigned in 1889. Couch passed the title on to Sidney Clarke on November 11^th, 1889 with his resignation. Clarke held the title of provisional mayor of Oklahoma City until an official election could be held on November 27^th, 1889, making Andrew J. Beale the mayor until the first nonprovisional mayor, William J. Gault, was elected in 1890.[2]

With Guthrie, Oklahoma as the state capital, tensions began to rise between the two cities as high profile Oklahoman politicians, including Governor Charles N. Haskell, advocated for Oklahoma City to receive the title of state capital instead. This rivalry continued until, by popular vote, Oklahoma City was made the official capital of Oklahoma on June 11,1910. Speculations among Guthrie civic leaders claimed that an unknown Oklahoma City booster allegedly spirited the state seal way from the Guthrie state capital in the night to ensure the title transfer. Oklahoma City continues to hold the title of Oklahoma’s Capital into present day, with the Oklahoma State Capital established at N.E 23rd street and Lincoln Boulevard in 1917.

City Leaders

City leaders of this new capital included John Shartel, Anton H. Classen, James W. Maney, and Henry Olverhoser, who vastly transformed the infrastructure of the city, by providing better housing accommodations, efficient public transportation, public entertainment, and a railroad system. These city leaders set the blueprint for the upcoming economic development in later decades.

Olverhoser was a prominent early settler who emphasized his desire for public entertainment with his contributions to the city's infrastructure. Olverhoser created the Grand Avenue Hotel in 1889, the Olverhoser Opera House along with the Olverhoser theater in 1890, and assisted in the purchase of permanent fair grounds for the Oklahoma State Fair in 1906.

Classen, prior to creating the Metropolitan Railway Company with John Shartel (later the Oklahoma City Railway Company), was appointed as receiver in the U.S land office in Oklahoma City by president William McKinley in 1897. Classen focused his efforts on inner-city beautification and infrastructure improvements, becoming president of both the Oklahoma City Building and Loan Association and the Oklahoma City Commercial Club in 1899.

Classen worked closely with Shartel to add numerous housing divisions to accommodate the growing population, the first being the Highland Parks Addition in 1900. Along with this, "he was instrumental in getting city streets paved, in organizing Oklahoma City street fairs, and in promoting Oklahoma City as the location for Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders annual reunion in 1900" . Shartel and Classen collaborated once again in 1902 with the creation of the Metropolitan Railroad Company, which created an efficient mass-transport system for downtown Oklahoma City. Classen was also responsible for organizing the University Development Company, and financed Epworth University (Now known as Oklahoma City University) which was officially established in 1904.[3]

Aside from his collaborations with Anton Classen, John Shartel bought twenty acres of land located at modern day 7th and 10th street, which became known as the Florence Addition. Prior to Classen's death in 1922, Shartel served as the Vice President on the Oklahoma City Building and Loan Association and the Oklahoma City Commerical Club, and overtook the position of president after Classen's death.

James W. Maney also focused his efforts on creating a railroad system in Oklahoma City, and gained the reputation of "the largest railroad contractor in Oklahoma" by 1900. Maney built the second railroad into Oklahoma City when the territory opened in 1889, and then worked closely with Classen and Olverhoser to focus on the growth and development in Oklahoma City. Maney's legacy is sealed by the historic Maney House, the mansion he resided in until is death in 1945, that is now used as a bed and breakfast.

Oklahoma City Districts

Downtown Oklahoma City has been sectioned into seven districts. These districts each possessing their own history. These seven districts include Deep Deuce, Film Row, Automobile Alley, Bricktown OKC, Arts District, Midtown and City Center.

Deep Deuce

A banner found in Deep Deuce, Oklahoma City.

Deep Deuce is the epicentre for black culture and history in Oklahoma City.  Deep Deuce was the center for many African American jazz and blues musicians through the 1940s and the 1950s. Deep Deuce acted as the main hub for many civil right activities, including sit-ins. Many students in 1957, used Deep Deuce as the location for many sit-ins. Deep Deuce suffered a great decline after the Civil Rights Act passed. Since then, the name Deep Deuce has been trademarked and revived in Downtown Oklahoma City carrying on the significance of black culture in this district. [4]

Film Row

The Film Row districts, located on Sheridan Avenue, developed in the 1930s as the hub for cinematic entertainment in Oklahoma City. It was one out of 35 film districts in the country homing big cinematic company names such as Paramount, MGM, Universal, and Fox and Warner Brothers. This district is also home to unique architecture styles that can only be found in this district. Since its debut, the Film Row district has been revived and updated to celebrate its rich history in the 21st century. [5]

Automobile Alley

Automobile Alley, located on North Broadway Avenue, is the home for Oklahoma City’s booming automobile business in the 20th century. Many homes on this stretch of road were converted into automobile-related businesses during this time, bringing in a huge amount of entrepreneur and customers. Many of these buildings are still seen standing today. [6]

Bricktown OKC

The Bricktown OKC districts was founded just following the land run in the year of 1889. This district is the home of the industrialization of Oklahoma City. Many warehouses and companies made their home in Bricktown during industrialization. It has now be turned into a booming entertainment district for the City. More than 45 attractions can be found in this district. [7]

Arts District

The main entrance of the Civic Center Music Hall in the Arts District.

The Arts District can be found just west of Oklahoma City’s City Center. It is home to two main attractions: Civic Center Music Hall and OKC Art Museum. Civic Center Music Hall was opened in 1937. It was originally named the Municipal Auditorium. In 1967, this music hall went under serious renovations and rebranding and as said by many “a theater was built in a theater” and the Civic Center Musical Hall was born. [8] The OKC Arts Museum was incorporated and made public to the population in 1945. Many iconic paintings have found their home in the OKC art museum. [9]

City Center

City Center is Oklahoma City’s primary business district. It has many attractions that bring people in. It is home to the Devon Tower, Myriad Botanical Gardens, and the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial and Museum.[10] The Devon Tower is the tallest skyscraper found in Oklahoma. The skyscraper stands at 844 feet. The construction of the devon tower started in October of 2009 and finished in October of 2012. [11] The Myriad Botanical Garden is a main tourist attraction for Oklahoma City. The Myriad Botanical Garden was founded in May of 1970. [12] The Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial and Museum is a  symbolic representation for Oklahoma City standing where once the Murrah Federal Building once stood. It was opened of the 5 year anniversary of the bombing in April of 2000. [13]

Midtown

Midtown Plaza Court

Midtown is a district located north of Oklahoma City’s City Center. It is known for its many restaurants, boutiques, bars, and housing. Midtown has been rebranded many times so it is unclear where the origin of this districts dates back to. [14]