I LOVE the OKC Memories thread, and have so enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts and memories of our wonderful city!

My husband and I both grew up as "southsiders" but have since defected and moved north to satisfy our desire for an historic home. It doesn't hurt, either, that we are now each 5 and 7 minutes respectively from our jobs.

My husband's late father was a family practice physician on the southside and one of the founding doctors of what was once called South Community Hospital (since rechristened Integris Southwest).

I graduated high school in 1978 and my husband graduated in 1973 (Christian Heritage Academy and U.S. Grant)

Here are some "southside" memories that some of you may share:

- Al & Dub's drive in on SW 44th (the "Grant hangout"). This was really more in my older siblings' eras - the early 60's. I believe Wilkerson's was the "Capitol Hill hangout". In those days, it was kind of a "greasers vs. the socs"

- When the 14 Flags drive in was at the end of the world, or so it seemed?

- Crystal's Pizza after games.

- Cruising McDonald's and Sonic on SW 59th Street until all hours

- The Park Terrace Theatre (and El Rancho Sanchez, right next door)

- Parking lot carnivals at Reding Shopping Center (now the Integris SW parking lot)

- Christmas shopping at Sears at 44th and Western

- When Crossroads Mall was brand new and THE place to be!

- The tragic Sirloin Stockade murders. I remember a big Help Wanted sign going up in front of the restaurant a couple of weeks after the murders. it was a portable sign on the side of a large plastic steer

- The opening of the "Big TG&Y" as we called it at I-240 & Penn. I was there as a small child with my older sisters, when "Dandy" Don Meredith of the Dallas Cowboys was there signing autographs.

- The opening of Arlan's Department Store at 44th & S. Western. It later became Target. Debbie Reynolds was there with Agnes Moorehead of Bewitched fame. Debbie was married to Harry Karl, who was the owner of Arlan's. If I remember correctly, he went bankrupt.

- Shakey's Pizza at SW 56th & Western.

- "Northside" seemed like a different world. Anyone remembering venturing to drive down the "Twilight Zone" street? (Actually Carey Place in Gatewood).

- A certain "mansion" that the brave drove by somewhere out my Draper Lake and scared each other silly with urban legends.

I'm sure I'll think of more, and hope to hear more from some of you.

TeriOKC:bright_id

I thought the Southeast crowd hung out at 'The Spot' on Western?

Yes, I think you're right. Back when my sisters were at U.S. Grant, I think that SE was really new---or maybe not even there yet?

As I remember it, both The Spot and Wilkerson's were considered "rough and tumble" at the time and Dub's was a little more sedate.

Are you guys talking about Southeast Highschool on Shields?

That was my mom's era! She went to Southeast when it first opened or when it was new, as did my aunts and uncles. Now I attend Southeast.

I know she used to work at that now defunt drive-in movie theatre at 59th and Santa Fe. She talks about shopping at Sears all the time when she was a kid. My mom has also told me of those murders that happened. Something about killing people and putting them in a freezer or so she says.

And yeah, the one on Shields.

Southeast was built in 1950. My mother also went to that school in 57, 58 as well as I late 70's early 80's. There was a pool ther on shields, but i can't recall the name of it, where we went a lot. Went to the pool and played at McCraken (sp?) and played in the creek there. We went to a very small TG&Y there at 44 & Shields, it was in the back of the building on the northwest corner. The Riviera is the name of that drive in. I remember watching The Green Slim there and getting scared to death. When we were able to ride our bikes a night, me and my cousin would ride our bikes to the Riviera, park across the street in that store parking lot and watch the R rated movies. Yep, those were the days. But i have to admitt, i don't know what "The Spot" is.

There was a pool on shields, but I can't recall the name of it, where we went a lot. I don't know what "The Spot" is.The pool was Elmwood and The Spot was a hamburger joint.

Elmwood...that was a fun place. Where was The Spot? i don'r recall this place. There was a cafe right next door to the school that a lot of us ate lunch, is that it?
We always walked to DQ at 59th and Shields for lunch.

And the view of downtown all lit up from Capitol Hill. Remember the picture of downtown in Beverly's Chicken restuarant on, what, SW. 29th. It was a long time ago. I think I am going to cry! : )

Grew up just north of 89th and east of Penn in the late 60's/early 70's, then moved over to Ranchwood Manor in the mid 70's. Went to Moore schools my entire "kid life."

14 Flags was cool if for no other reason than the incredibly loooooooong driveway you had to go down to get to the ticket booth. I actually have more vivid memories of Winchester Drive-In farther up on Western, which just started another spring/summer season a few months back. Wish there were some movies good/decent enough to take the kids to a drive-in.

TG&Y was up and running by the time I was old enough to remember running errands there, and that was pretty much a two or three times a week occurrence. Got prescriptions filled, bought 45RPM records there, got TV's, toys, and View Master reels there. It was an awesome place.

We shopped at Buchanan's at SW 89th and Penn, and that was back when that intersection was all-but the south end of town. And Crossroads, when it opened, was the most incredible place I'd ever seen. Orange Julius and "Le Mans" were beyond imagination. I still remember their opening jingle.

I remember the old "Dead Man's Curve," where eastbound I-240 turned into the HE Bailey southbound toward Tuttle, before they rebuilt that interchange to support what was originally called the "West Bypass," but later just became known as I-44.

Never went to Crystals until it was well past its heyday, and it was sad because what it had once been was so evident from the dilapidated fixtures and features that were still remaining when I did visit once, and that was on a double-date about 15 years ago. It closed not even a year later, I think.

I used to enjoy Service Merchandise, and I also remember Arlan's as the predecessor to Target at 44th. There was also a Humpty Dumpty grocery store in the space now occupied by Ace Hardware.

..man, get me started, and I could fill volumes...

-sd

That brings back some memories! I road my bicycle on S. Pennsylvania (back then it was a dirt road south of 89th) to go fishing at a couple ponds around 119th street. Later, we used to race cars in the TG&Y parking lot before they built the Sirloin Stockade (forever known as the site of the 1978 mass murders by Roger Stafford.) Sirloin Stockade murders (http://markgribben.com/?p=217)

My friends and I used I-240 “74th expressway” to test our hotrods at speed. Back then, there was virtually no traffic after midnight, except the one night a lone car followed me up the onramp and accelerated at a comparable speed to mine until I pushed it well passed the legal speed limit. Turned out that solitary vehicle following me was a police car. They caught up to me when I slowed down to normal highway speed about Santa Fe.

Times were much different back then. The officer didn’t arrest me; he just took me home where I had to wake my folks and explain what I had been doing at 2am in-the-morning.

I just vaguely remember the Spot.

We used to go rabbit hunting at night down S.W. 104th, 119th & 134th between May and Meridian. My brother and I would take turns sitting on the hood of the car while dad drove.

Prunepicker

The Spot was Capitol Hill's hang out. It was owned by Thurman Black.

Prunepicker

Family Fun Center @ SW 74 & Penn. I used to ride in the back of my brothers jacked up 68 Camaro cruising 59th and going there. I also grew up around 89th and Penn. Sacked groceries at Buchanans, car-hopped and cooked at A&W, but my first job was at Golf Acres SW 119. I spent many summer days riding bikes to the Southern Hills library at the shopping center with "The Big TG&Y". There was a "mean" lady there that did not like us hanging out in the toy section. I saw 101 Dalmations at the Park Terrace theater whatever year it came out.
Some of my favorites..............Zorros Tacos, Billies Tastee Freeze, Winchester Drive-In, Taco Bell next door to the "Y" on Penn, Der Dutchman on 240,..................

- The tragic Sirloin Stockade murders. I remember a big Help Wanted sign going up in front of the restaurant a couple of weeks after the murders. it was a portable sign on the side of a large plastic steer

Not trying to get off subject but where exactly was the resturant? I remember hearing the story but I never knew where it was.

was'nt it were Starbucks is now? Maybe a little to the east of there?

was'nt it were Starbucks is now? Maybe a little to the east of there?

Yes, it was pretty much exactly where Starbucks is now. I used to live in the neighborhood right behind that area back then. I remember the night that happened, you could hear sirens for what seemed like hours and hundreds of them. At the time I thought something really BIG must be burning down. Finding out the next morning the horror of what really happened that night was much worse.

That is correct. Four or five of those kids murdered were Moore high students. In those days, there was no Westmoore yet, and everybody that lived south of I-240 went to Moore high.

That is interesting to me. I have lived on the North side all my life so forgive my ignorance but what is the southernmost OKC public school?

That is interesting to me. I have lived on the North side all my life so forgive my ignorance but what is the southernmost OKC public school?

I'm thinking it's Southern Hills elementary way out on South Kentucky. Webster is farther east but I don't think it's farther south.

Prunepicker

I was just glancing at OKCPS and Prunepicker is right. It looks like Southern Hills is the most southern OKC school.

I was just glancing at OKCPS and Prunepicker is right. It looks like Southern Hills is the most southern OKC school.

Fairview is on SW 89th. How does that compare to Southern Hills.

Prunepicker

Fairview is on SW 89th. How does that compare to Southern Hills.

Prunepicker

According to both OKCPS and MoorePS fairview is part of the Moore School System.

Correct, Fairview is a Moore Public School System school.

Where exactly was the twilight zone located?

Where was the Twilight Zone?

Also, where was the park terrace theater? I live in Houston now, but at one time, 1997, I lived in SOKC. I enjoyed my time there, but I'm not familiar with some of the more obscure hotspots. Also, what was the deal with the mansion on Draper lake that had some urban legends to go along with it??????

Where exactly was the twilight zone located?

It was the Gatewood edition which is about 3 blocks east of N. Penn on 23rd.

Prunepicker

Yeah, the Moore school district has always had unusual borders - it still reaches as far north as SW 82nd if I'm not mistaken. Many moons ago, Moore successfully fought of an annexation attempt by OKC, retained control of their schools, and avoided the abyss many OKC schools became, particularly during the busing days. Moore sprang up in no small part due to the suburban flight after busing was imposed.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe at one time many, many years ago, Fairview *was* an OKC public school, but back in the day OKC and Moore worked out some sort of an exchange that made it a Moore school. Don't know where I remember that, but when I saw "Fairview" that's the first thing I thought of. Sadly, some friends of mine live in that area around Fairview, and it has apparently turned into a pretty rough school - even for an elementary. The neighborhood immediately around (primarily north of) Fairview has become increasingly rental property, with short-term tenants and deteriorating properies as a result. I have an aunt and uncle that live in that vicinity, and their area crime has gotten so bad she's having an alarm installed in a house they've lived in to this point for over 40 years virtually trouble-free....sad...also know the big Baptist church there on the corner has experienced an increase in vandalism and break-ins...

sd-

you're right about 82nd street. the exact boundary is the power lines running roughly between 82nd & 81st streets.

as for fairview, i don't think it was ever an okc school. as a kid, i went to sky ranch and the two were referred to as sister schools. both have similar layouts and similar architectural styles. northmoore elementary and the original kelly elementary also have that architectural style. to me, that's pretty good evidence that fairview has always been a part of the moore district.

-M

The "Twilight Zone" is a street called Carey Place, in the historic Gatewood residential district near OCU. The legend had it that the street was a center of devil worship in the 1930's, hence the wrought iron window bars with spears on theends. :bow: (yeah, right...) But, you know how urban legends go. I believe it was also called the "doll houses". It IS a strange looking street, just because a trolley car used to have a route down that street and it is VERY narrow. Yes, it does seem quite scary driving down the street at night with a car filled with screaming impressionable teens. :dizzy:

The Park Terrace Theatre was at SW 58th and Western. I remember when it opened - strobe lights, big opening. It was the first theatre to open southside - prior to that, we southsiders had to go north to see a decent movie. I think that the first movie to show there was some John Wayne western. I distinctly remember seeing Mary Poppins there. It was all red velvet and gilding.

The "mansion" was supposedly a large old home out by Lake Stanley Draper in which resided an old African American gentlemen who, as legend had it, would appear at the front door with a gun and shoot at anyone who drove up the long drive. You can imagine what the name of the mansion was in that era (unfortunately). The story was that he was crazy and had killed some people. Of course, I really don't know if it even existed. Everyone I ever talked to who went there got scared and turned back before driving up the drive. I really think it's an urban legend and there never was even a mansion there.

I remember going to Arthur in the 50s Roosevelt in the 60s and then Grant. I remember playing in the woods along Independence Avenue. Mom worked every day and came home and cooked dinner for us every night. I remember when it was a big deal for us to get all dressed up when I was about 13 and Dad took us out to eat at Cattlemens. I wore dresses all the days I was in school, and I also walked to all of the schools I attended until I got rides in high school. I remember feeling deprived because mama cooked all our meals as a kid and now when I can find a recipe like one she cooked its like my most prized possession.

I remember getting my first job in the Sporting Goods department at TGY #411. John Robinett was my boss and HO Price was the store manager. I remember when I got there I knew nothing of guns and when I left I was managing the department and breaking down AR15s and putting them back together. With my first check I went to Sears on 44th and bought my first beautiful yellow wool suit with my own money. I remember mad at Mike because he liked to drag race his 66 SS and getting all dressed up with heels and dangly earings whenever he took me to the movies at the indoor theatres. Of course he liked the drive ins best. I remember when we hired the Round Table bar for our senior DECA party and how cool it was.

Ah.. to have my whole life ahead of me again... or maybe just go back for one more day..

Does anyone remember the large two or three story house that was very gothic looking that used to be at the corner of SW 59th and May? It was torn down in the late 80s I believe. A few years before its demolition it was used as a haunted house. It looked a lot like the house from the TV show The Munsters.

It's amazing how everyone always remembers Crystals. That restaurant made quite an impression on a lot of people.

Angel 27, you and I seem to have led almost parallel school lives! I went to Arthur Elementary in the mid 1960's (beginning with Kindergarten in 1965) and then Roosevelt in the 7th grade before my parents put me into a private Christian School. I remember well Independence (grew up around 53rd & Drexel) and walking or riding our bikes everyone. It seemed so safe then. It was a BIG deal when the DQ went in on 51st & May. My Daddy worked as a butcher at Rudy's Red Bud for years, until his retirement in 1981. We always did our Christmas shopping at Sear's. I remember the smell of popcorn at their candy counter (you know, the GOOD kind popped in COCONUT OIL!!)

I wouldn't mind going back for just a couple of days, just as long as I could know all that I know now.:doh:

Dis...Yes I remember the old 2 (or 3) story farmhouse well! The family name was Mohr, and there's no telling how long they had been there. There is still nothing on the actual corner lot where the house was, but a church is now using the old Grider's Food Store building and a Sonic is on the far East of the property (with an assisted living facility bordering the NE corner).

Does anyone remember the large two or three story house that was very gothic looking that used to be at the corner of SW 59th and May? It was torn down in the late 80s I believe. A few years before its demolition it was used as a haunted house. It looked a lot like the house from the TV show The Munsters.

The house was on the N.E. corner of S.W. 59th and May. It was only 1 story and not that big. I played baseball directly across the street (south) where the apartments are and lived just a little way from it. We went through that intersection almost daily for many years.

Prunepicker

Prunepicker - You sure it was only one story? Sure seemed like at least two stories to me. If you didn't live far from there, you didn't live far from me. :-)

Prunepicker - You sure it was only one story? Sure seemed like at least two stories to me. If you didn't live far from there, you didn't live far from me. :-)

It had a tall pointed roof and was on a high foundation. I lived at 63rd & S. May and went to Hillcrest after it was built in 1960.

Prunepicker

I remember Joker's Comedy Club. it was around for years and i remember it was in 3 different locations, and in brick town at one time.

they were really cool . saw a few cool comedians there, Gallagher, and that
guy Jeff Dunlap with that old man puppet

last time i went there they were on 56th and may.

In a place where a club called The Plum was at also at one time.

I think there was a club inthe same place called The Boar's Head .

It had a tall pointed roof and was on a high foundation. I lived at 63rd & S. May and went to Hillcrest after it was built in 1960.

Prunepicker
I grew up at 53rd & S. Drexel. Did you live anywhere near the two-toned purple house?

Thanks for the detailed response Teri. I live in Houston now, so I can't revisist these places often.

I'd love to see photos of the Park Terrace theater if anyone has some. It's been torn down though, right?

Actually I just saw a picture of it on Google Maps Street View. I often drove by that theater wondering which one it was and when it closed. It was several night clubs at one time correct?

I grew up at 53rd & S. Drexel. Did you live anywhere near the two-toned purple house?

Ha! Yes! We were on the south side of the street and the middle house of the seven. There was a shooting there in the mid 60's. I never knew who they were.

The house was on the N.E. corner of S.W. 59th and May. It was only 1 story and not that big. I played baseball directly across the street (south) where the apartments are and lived just a little way from it. We went through that intersection almost daily for many years.

Prunepicker

Yeah that's the one. I've always wondered what the story was on it... it seemed so out of place both in its location and its style. I always wondered if it had been there since statehood or what.

I went to Arthur and Roosevelt too. I grew up thinking I would attend Grant high school but because my family lived on the west side of May ave., I was bused to Capitol Hill. My first year in high school was the year they started busing. Our city was on the national news frequently because of the racial violence. It was a horrible time.

We used to go to lunch at a place called Los Tacos next to Knob Liquor. They had the fattest burritos and tacos loaded with meat and cheese. After disappearing for many years, the same family reopened Los Tacos a couple of years ago at 89th and S. May using the same recipes and portions. Check it out.

I went to Arthur and Roosevelt too. I grew up thinking I would attend Grant high school but because my family lived on the west side of May ave., I was bused to Capitol Hill. My first year in high school was the year they started busing. Our city was on the national news frequently because of the racial violence. It was a horrible time.

Truly an awful time. Wasn't it strange that everybody, except a handful of guilty so-n-sos who thought they knew everything, was happy. How dare somebody want to go to a school in their neighborhood. For some reason the education at Northeast and Douglas was supposed to be sub-par. It's odd, everybody I knew that transferred from one of those schools were intimidating when it came to grades. They scored higher than most of us.

Mom and Dad moved to the Putnam City area so my younger brothers and sister wouldn't have to put up with the stupidity of busing. I'd already been sent to a private school (pre-busing).

Does anybody remember the Western Dip @ 58th & S. Western? It was affectionately called the Grease Pit.

Speaking of the house on 59th and May, anyone remember the hamburger joint just south of that intersection on the west side? I believe it was called Billy's or something. A rather large man seemed to own it. I think it's a Taco Mayo or a donut joint now.

Anyone know the name of that place?

Speaking of the house on 59th and May, anyone remember the hamburger joint just south of that intersection on the west side? I believe it was called Billy's or something. A rather large man seemed to own it. I think it's a Taco Mayo or a donut joint now.

Anyone know the name of that place?

I don't know the name of it now but there used to be a Tastee Freeze in that spot @ 65-71.

Somebody mentioned the "caves" as a place they used to go. What in the world were the caves and where were they?

You're thinking of Billie's Tastee Freeze. Ate many a meal there - especially remember their steak sandwiches.

I LOVE the OKC Memories thread, and have so enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts and memories of our wonderful city!

My husband and I both grew up as "southsiders"...

I graduated high school in 1978 and my husband graduated in 1973 (Christian Heritage Academy and U.S. Grant)

I also went to CHA and grew up on the southside—all be it at a later time.

You're thinking of Billie's Tastee Freeze. Ate many a meal there - especially remember their steak sandwiches.

Whoa! Yeah! Billie's Tastee Freez! No kidding! Since we practiced baseball across the street I spent mucho dinero there. When we won a home game we'd get treated to malts and shakes. She had 31 flavors :-)

What year did you graduate?

What year did you graduate?

I went to CHA from 1984-1996.

I remember going to Arthur in the 50s Roosevelt in the 60s and then Grant. I remember playing in the woods along Independence Avenue. Mom worked every day and came home and cooked dinner for us every night. I remember when it was a big deal for us to get all dressed up when I was about 13 and Dad took us out to eat at Cattlemens. I wore dresses all the days I was in school, and I also walked to all of the schools I attended until I got rides in high school. I remember feeling deprived because mama cooked all our meals as a kid and now when I can find a recipe like one she cooked its like my most prized possession.

I remember getting my first job in the Sporting Goods department at TGY #411. John Robinett was my boss and HO Price was the store manager. I remember when I got there I knew nothing of guns and when I left I was managing the department and breaking down AR15s and putting them back together. With my first check I went to Sears on 44th and bought my first beautiful yellow wool suit with my own money. I remember mad at Mike because he liked to drag race his 66 SS and getting all dressed up with heels and dangly earings whenever he took me to the movies at the indoor theatres. Of course he liked the drive ins best. I remember when we hired the Round Table bar for our senior DECA party and how cool it was.

Ah.. to have my whole life ahead of me again... or maybe just go back for one more day..
which Mike are you referring to and what color was the SS 66 Chevelle????

Anyone remember Spartan Atlantic Department Store at SW 29 and May where Grider's is now? There used to be a restaurant at SW 74 and Penn where Hooters is now, that was some type of circus theme with huge flag poles I can't remember the name but it burned at some point and then became Teddy's or Larry's?? all the employees wore t-shirts with funny slogans?? Of course later during the oil boom it was a strip bar but I can't remember the name of that one either.

... There used to be a restaurant at SW 74 and Penn where Hooters is now, that was some type of circus theme...

That was Circus Circus. It was originally a Howard Johnson restaurant @1966

That was Circus Circus. It was originally a Howard Johnson restaurant @1966

Close, but not quite.

It was "Circus Time Family Restaurant," which was a regular haunt of my family when I was a kid. The building exterior was literally built and designed to look like a fanciful circus tent, right town to the simulated tentpole roof and illuminated carousel-style decoration on the top of the sign.

It was incredibly cool to have the phone at the table where you placed your order, and I was heartbroken when it burned down in the late 70's IIRC. The site was abandoned for years, later rehabilitated, and the building reopened as an infamous "gentlemans" club before it went out of business, then was torn down and a Shoney's built on the site. After Shoney's failed, Hooters took over, and the rest is history.

-Dave

Close, but not quite.
It was "Circus Time Family Restaurant,"

Hah, Circus Circus is or was a Las Vegas place. Ooops.

SooverDave, that "gentlemans" club you reference was Vixens. That was the best club of it's type OKC has ever had or likely see again.

ha! i also happen to remember that the "gentlemen's" club was called vixens... though i was younger than five years old around the time it existed and the only reason it sticks in my head is because i thought it had something to do with reindeer. :P

i understand that the target on sw 44th & western wasn't always a 'target'... anyone know what preceded it?

-M