I've pretty much finished researching the Knob Hill theater.

A couple of brief articles described its development: May 1, 1946 (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1946_05_01_knobhill.jpg) and September 22, 1946 (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1946_09_22_knobhill.jpg).

Here's the ad for its October 10, 1946, grand opening:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1946_10_10_knobhill.jpg

Owned by the same fellow, Lewis Barton, who was opening the downtown Home Theater around the same (he also owned the Redskin),
the Knob Hill even co-hosted a "Southwest Premiere" of at least one movie (although their were many other 1st runs), at least once,
as shown by the December 24, 1946, ad below:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1946_12_24_knobhill.jpg

As late as 1964, the Knob Hill was still showing 1st run movies, even if some might call them "B" (maybe B+) movies.

October 28, 1964:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1964_10_28_knobhill.jpg

December 16, 1964:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1964_12_26_knobhill.jpg

In the above ad, note that it says "all new seats," so some attempt was being made to keep the theater viable.

The last ad I could find for the Knob Hill as a movie house was the 9/28/1973 ad shown below.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1973_09_28_knobhill.jpg

Between October 19 through October 27, 1973, instead of showing movies the facility hosted
a Baptist Revival, per the October 19, 1973, article below:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1973_10_19_knobhill.jpg

So, late-September early-October 1973 may have been the end point for the facility's use as a motion picture theater.
I found no movie ads for the Knob Hill after September 1973. According to the 1980 article, below, the theater
had been closed "for years." Perhaps some of you Capitol Hill guys can help pin down the closing date.

The demise of the Knob Hill is not at unique -- city-wide, suburban theaters were closing in all parts of town.

The reopening of the Knob Hill as the Oklahoma Opry was greeted with much fanfare and hope for revitalization
of Commerce Street in the April 15, 1980, article below:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1980_04_15_opry.jpg

Other than the Knob Hill, Barton also developed the property west of the theater, and had plans to
develop east from the theater, as shown by the December 5, 1954, article below:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1954_12_05_construction.jpg

How much, if any, of the property east of the Knob Hill got developed per the above article, I've not yet researched.

From papaOU's photobucket pages (http://s664.photobucket.com/albums/vv10/papaOU/Businesses%20on%20the%20Hill/):

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv10/papaOU/Businesses%20on%20the%20Hill/CarpetStore.jpg

His comment about this building at 420 Commerce, west of the Knob Hill, is:


As you can see from the above 12/5/1954, Oklahoman article, he nailed the initial tenant.

The building east of the Knob Hill was identified by me as the home of Mosher-Adams. Map makers and such. USG '60 placed another business there before Mosher-Adams. Peyton-Marcus, a women's clothing store.
Near the end the Knob Hill Theater was showing porn. I don't know when they started or the end.

I found no porn ads for the Knob Hill. Are you certain about that?

The newspaper article reads,


East of the Knob Hill will be a two0-story 50 by 140-foot structure. The ground floor will be leased to a retail firm, and offices will be on the second story. * * * All of the buildings are expected to be constructed next year, with other units following completion o the furniture store. * * * However, one brick structure is expected to be left at the site and converted into a doctor's clinic.
Do you know that the buildings you mentioned above were built by Barton per the above Oklahoman statements?

The County Assessor's website shows the building at 400 SW 25th to have been constructed in 1955, so that fits.

Assessor Photo:

http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/sketches/picfile/1634/R091473305001tA.jpg

Know anything about the other planned buildings mentioned in the article?

The County Assessor's website shows the building at 400 SW 25th to have been constructed in 1955, so that fits.

Assessor Photo:

http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/sketches/picfile/1634/R091473305001tA.jpg

Know anything about the other planned buildings mentioned in the article?

The above photo is not the correct one. See post below!!

If you notice this gives a view from Commerce to the houses on the south side of SW26Th. From the alley behind the Knob hill south to 26Th (401 sw 26 Th ?) and west from Hudson to Walker were Barton's except for the two lots from Walker east on 26Th. As far back as I can recall it was parking.
The lot on the NE corner of 26Th was part of Fred Jones Used cars. East of it was the Oklahoma State Employment Office. But that was a newer building and something there before.
Are you confused yet?

The above photo is not the correct one. See post below!!

If you notice this gives a view from Commerce to the houses on the south side of SW26Th. From the alley behind the Knob hill south to 26Th (401 SW 26 Th ?) and west from Hudson to Walker were Barton's except for the two lots from Walker east on 26Th. As far back as I can recall it was parking.
The lot on the NE corner of 26Th was part of Fred Jones Used cars. East of it was the Oklahoma State Employment Office. But that was a newer building and something there before.
Are you confused yet?

The above photo is incorrect. The photo below is the view south from the Cattlemen's Mall. You can see the buildings on the south side of SW 26Th.

The above photo is incorrect. The photo below is the view south from the Cattlemen's Mall. You can see the buildings on the south side of SW 26Th.

ONE MORE TIME!!!!!!!

<a href="http://s664.photobucket.com/albums/vv10/papaOU/Businesses%20on%20the%20Hill/?action=view&current=CattlemensMall.jpg" target

Nupe...tain't workin'.

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv10/papaOU/Businesses%20on%20the%20Hill/CattlemensMall.jpg

Please Work..........

Here's something I learned as a result of looking at a 1955 Sanborn map, a crop of which is shown below ...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/sanborn_1955_klpr.jpg

Huh? A radio & tv station at 128 Commerce (probably 128 1/2 above the 1st floor Beacon newspaper's address)? That sent me looking into the Oklahoman's archives to figure this neat information out. Here's what I found.

In a 11/29/1946 article (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1946_11_29_klpr.jpg), it was reported that a new radio station, KLPR, had been authorized by the FCC. Shortly after, the 12/20/1946 article below reported that the station would be operating out of Capitol Hill ...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1946_12_20_klpr.jpg

The above article opined that the station might/would likely be located in the Capitol Hill Chamber's facility, but that didn't happen. Instead, it located at 128 (probably 128 1/2) Commerce. An example of its early broadcasting fare appeared in the 9/6/1947 article below.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1947_09_06_klpr.jpg

I didn't fully research KLPR radio's high (or low) points, but one which stands out occurred in 1951 and from which Capitol Hill gained national if not international prominence, but not in a way in which the station's owner found pleasure. It is recalled that the Korean War was going on at the time, and it is also recalled that, in this time, Minnesota Senator Joseph McCarthy was not an unknown figure in this country (although that was not mentioned in the 2/1/1951 article linked to, below).


Listeners were invited to give their opinions if the United States should get out of Korea. The program's producer, Maruice Odgen, working at KLPR under the name Mike King, got fired. The survey results were that 4 said that the United States should stay in Korea and 312 said that we should get out.
A New York communist party newspaper, the Daily Worker, picked up on the matter. Ogden denied that "he is or has been a member of the Communist party ..." To read the Oklahoman's 2/1/1951 report on this Capitol Hill episode, click here (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1951_02_01_klpr.jpg).

Doubtless, the OU grad spoke the truth, but that wouldn't matter so much in this era.

On to TV. A couple of years later, as shown by this 2/12/1953 article (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1953_02_12_klpr.jpg), KLPR was authorized to operate a television station in Oklahoma City, and it operated out of the same location in Capitol Hill. This 11/1/1953 article (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1953_11_01_klpr.jpg) reports on that. Also, see this 9/26/1953 article (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1953_09_26_klpr.jpg) about the station's intention to do local programming.

When KLPR exited Capitol Hill I haven't yet learned. But, judging by 1960 items in the Oklahoman which indicated that the address was by then occupied by the IBM Institute of Technology, it had doubtless exited by that time. See this 10/1/1960 article (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1960_10_01_klpr_ibm.jpg), for example.

I knew KLPR was in later years '60's and into the '70's was owned and operated by Jack Beasley. I once read that Wanda Jackson would go to station and perform. Just did not know where the station was located. Now the question is did she perform on the radio or t.v. station?

Here are some map resources for you Capitol Hill buffs. These are extractions of Sanborn Map Company maps from its 1929_1955 series, meaning that the source maps were made in 1922 but updated through 1955. However, that was the "publication" date. A note on one of the cover sheets shows that the maps were actually finalized in September 1954.

In some instances, building dates are shown, as well as other information. "D" means "dwelling."

Click on the maps for larger views.

1. Walker to Hudson

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/maps/sanborn_1929_1955_sw24th_26th_1s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/maps/sanborn_1929_1955_sw24th_26th_1.jpg)

2. Hudson To Harvey

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/maps/sanborn_1929_1955_sw24th_26th_2s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/maps/sanborn_1929_1955_sw24th_26th_2.jpg)

3. Harvey to Robinson

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/maps/sanborn_1929_1955_sw24th_26th_3s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/maps/sanborn_1929_1955_sw24th_26th_3.jpg)

4. Robinson to Broadway

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/maps/sanborn_1929_1955_sw24th_26th_4s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/maps/sanborn_1929_1955_sw24th_26th_4.jpg)

When out and about I could not for the life of me figure out where the fire station was. It was moved a few years back to SW23rd behind the Capitol Hill Hospital.

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv10/papaOU/Businesses%20on%20the%20Hill/CattlemensMall.jpg

Please Work..........

Is it not amazing how when you quit thinking hard about something the result of the question comes to you?

The NW corner of SW26Th and Hudson there was an office building on that site. Not large and elaborate but nice looking. Like the article said it was a doctor's office.

Since I posted the 1922_1955 (but really 1954) Sanborn maps above, I took a look at the original 1922 Sanborn Maps. I'll not post them here since they don't show all that much -- the point being that, in 1922, the buildings that existed were immeasurably less dense than existed in the 1922_1955 versions. Some parts of SW 24, 25 & 26 were virtually unpopulated, assuming that the Sanborn Maps are accurate, and they probably are.

Still, if you want to see the comparison for yourself:


Click here (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/maps/sanborn_1922_sw24th_26th_1.jpg) for the 1922 Walker to Hudson Sanborn Map
Click here (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/maps/sanborn_1922_sw24th_26th_2.jpg) for the 1922 Hudson to Harvey Sanborn Map
Click here (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/maps/sanborn_1922_sw24th_26th_3.jpg) for the 1922 Harvey to Robinson Sanborn Map
Click here (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/maps/sanborn_1922_sw24th_26th_4.jpg) for the 1922 Robinson to Broadway Sanborn Map

One item is well worth mentioning, though, and that is the part of the Harvey to Robinson map (Sanborn Map #3, above) which shows the unnamed-in-the-map Yale Theater. Immediately east of the indoor Yale was an "air dome" outdoor theater. Though I don't presently know for sure, I suspect that it was part of the Yale's owner, Sam Caporal's, operations.

Air dome or airdome theaters were popular in the 1900s-1920s to deal with the hot summer heat. Somewhat analogous to drive-in theaters since they were "outdoors," these theaters were different since they were sit-down theaters but without a roof and accommodated as many as 1,000 people or more. They hosted both vaudeville and movie performances. Downtown Okc air domes included the Bijou, Majestic, Lyric, Maze, and Colcord, as well as an air dome theater at Belle Isle Park. I don't have any images of Okc airdome's but here is an example -- a 1910s airdome at Chattanooga, Tennessee ... credit JackCoursey at Airdome Theatre on Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/maincourse/1850033568/) .

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/movies/airdome_chattanooga_1910s.jpg

Capitol Hill had at least one air dome theater, too.

Notice in the cropped portion of Sanborn Map #3 below the Air Dome and the location of the screen. The Yale indoor theater is the theater at the left. The air dome theater is immediately east (right) of the Yale.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/sanborn_1922_yale.jpg

Now, whether this air dome theater was the same thing as the Rex airdome in the September 5, 1926, ad below, I don't know, but that would be my best guess. If not, there would be yet another theater in Capitol Hill other than the Yale at this point in time.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1926_09_05_rexairdome.jpg

Since I posted the 1922_1955 (but really 1954) Sanborn maps above, I took a look at the original 1922 Sanborn Maps. I'll not post them here since they don't show all that much -- the point being that, in 1922, the buildings that existed were immeasurably less dense than existed in the 1922_1955 versions. Some parts of SW 24, 25 & 26 were virtually unpopulated, assuming that the Sanborn Maps are accurate, and they probably are.

Still, if you want to see the comparison for yourself:


Click here (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/maps/sanborn_1922_sw24th_26th_1.jpg) for the 1922 Walker to Hudson Sanborn Map
Click here (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/maps/sanborn_1922_sw24th_26th_2.jpg) for the 1922 Hudson to Harvey Sanborn Map
Click here (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49

/DougLoudenback/maps/sanborn_1922_sw24th_26th_3.jpg) for the 1922 Harvey to Robinson Sanborn Map
Click here (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/maps/sanborn_1922_sw24th_26th_4.jpg) for the 1922 Robinson to Broadway Sanborn Map

One item is well worth mentioning, though, and that is the part of the Harvey to Robinson map (Sanborn Map #3, above) which shows the unnamed-in-the-map Yale Theater. Immediately east of the indoor Yale was an "air dome" outdoor theater. Though I don't presently know for sure, I suspect that it was part of the Yale's owner, Sam Caporal's, operations.

Air dome or airdome theaters were popular in the 1900s-1920s to deal with the hot summer heat. Somewhat analogous to drive-in theaters since they were "outdoors," these theaters were different since they were sit-down theaters but without a roof and accommodated as many as 1,000 people or more. They hosted both vaudeville and movie performances. Downtown Okc air domes included the Bijou, Majestic, Lyric, Maze, and Colcord, as well as an air dome theater at Belle Isle Park. I don't have any images of Okc airdome's but here is an example -- a 1910s airdome at Chattanooga, Tennessee ... credit JackCoursey at Airdome Theatre on Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/maincourse/1850033568/) .

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/movies/airdome_chattanooga_1910s.jpg

Capitol Hill had at least one air dome theater, too.

Notice in the cropped portion of Sanborn Map #3 below the Air Dome and the location of the screen. The Yale indoor theater is the theater at the left. The air dome theater is immediately east (right) of the Yale.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/sanborn_1922_yale.jpg

Now, whether this air dome theater was the same thing as the Rex airdome in the September 5, 1926, ad below, I don't know, but that would be my best guess. If not, there would be yet another theater in Capitol Hill other than the Yale at this point in time.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1926_09_05_rexairdome.jpg

So does the Yale predate the Circle?

I had read somewhere that the Yale put on live shows (vaudeville?) before came along.
A few years ago a "Ghost Hunter" team came to the Hill and they found that the Yale was haunted. Word is someone, an employee hung themselves there.

The "team" also found that the Puckett's yard also had haints.

some of the local t.v. stations picked the stories up and broadcast them.

Yes, both the Yale and the next door Air Dome predated the Circle and probably did present vaudeville as well as motion pictures. In fact, both of these theaters predated the theater which is commonly called Oklahoma City's 1st suburban theater, the Victoria at NW 18th & Classen which opened in 1929. Of course, that's true for Deep Deuce's 1919 Aldridge Theater, as well.

Here's an August 8, 1920, ad for the Capitol Hill Airdome:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1920_08_08_airdome.jpg

The earliest ad and mention of the Yale that I've found so far in the Oklahoman is the September 18, 1921, ad below, even though I expect that the Yale existed earlier than that. The County Assessor's page (http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/AN-R.asp?ACCOUNTNO=R091472880) for this property shows that the present structure was built in 1918 and that the property was purchased by Caporal on November 11, 1911.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1921_09_18_yale.jpg

Notice the text in the April 10, 1938, article below. The reporter said, by the article's date, that Caporal had been in the entertainment business for 25 years. 1938-25 years = 1913. Note that the reporter said that the air dome preceded the Yale.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/movies/mayflowertheater_1938_04_10.jpg

I am acquainted with the elder Caporal's grandson, also a Sam, and I'd hoped by now to have talked with him at length about the Yale but I've missed him. When I first asked him about it briefly this past Monday, he said that the Yale was built in 1904 but I think he misstated about that. If the article is correct, his grandfather didn't come to Oklahoma until 1912. Anyway, I'll be following this up with grandson Sam this week and, if we get lucky, he'll have some old photos.

A couple of comments at the Cinema Treasures website (http://cinematreasures.org/theater/2528/) read this way:


Yale Cinema 1905-1983, Streamline styling, 500 seats, Barton Cinemas. Southside OKC's first theatre. While the facade received several facelifts through many decades, the auditorium always retained its original, nickelodeon, Plain Jane appearance.
The above is incorrect as to the Barton Cinemas part. They were Caporal properties. The 1905 date is very suspect, also. But, the next comment rings true:


From Boxoffice Magazine, September 21, 1946: "The Yale Theatre, which has been closed for remodeling the last five months, is due to open late this month, Sam Caporal, owner-operator, said. The house will be completely new from front to back, and will have an additional 300 seats, making the seating capacity about 800."
The latter is consistent with the following September 30, 1946, ad which reads as though the Yale had been given a thorough going over:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1946_09_30_yale.jpg

I hope to have more on the Yale shortly.

Great stuff Doug. I love your passion.

Thanks!

Updating Caporal's beginning date in the theater business, a series of ads which ran during that part of 1946 that the Yale was closed for remodeling looked like the following June 22, 1946, ad below:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1946_06_22_yale.jpg

A line reads, "Established 1916." Presumably, that refers to the Yale (as opposed to the Air Dome). After the Yale reopened in October 1946, space in the group ads included the offerings of the Yale, and the above middle section, including the "Established 1916," reference was no longer used.

OK. I need some more help from you CHOGs ... J.C. Pennys. The Oklahoman's search engine for this story (city wide) is 100% crap ... either that, or there were no stories or ads about Pennys which is hard to believe. The few that do turn up (regardless of decade, year, whatever period is searched) are meaningless and aren't even about Pennys at all.

Soooo... what can you tell me? Opening? Closing? You guys haven't mentioned Pennys much even though it clearly occupied an important chunk of Commerce Street.

On edit: here's a very nice October 12, 1947, article I'd found earlier when gathering information about Brown's ... it mentioned Pennys being constructed, also. This March 5, 1948, article (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1948_03_05_browns.jpg) is about Brown's opening on that day, so Penny's must have been around the same time ... but I'd prefer more exactness if that's doable.

The October 12, 1947 article ... contains several nice items ... notice the quote from the town's founder, B.R. Harrington, then blind but still living ...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1947_10_12_growth.jpg

OK. I need some more help from you CHOGs ... J.C. Pennys. The Oklahoman's search engine for this story (city wide) is 100% crap ... either that, or there were no stories or ads about Pennys which is hard to believe. The few that do turn up (regardless of decade, year, whatever period is searched) are meaningless and aren't even about Pennys at all.

Soooo... what can you tell me? Opening? Closing? You guys haven't mentioned Pennys much even though it clearly occupied an important chunk of Commerce Street.

On edit: here's a very nice October 12, 1947, article I'd found earlier when gathering information about Brown's ... it mentioned Pennys being constructed, also. This March 5, 1948, article (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1948_03_05_browns.jpg) is about Brown's opening on that day, so Penny's must have been around the same time ... but I'd prefer more exactness if that's doable.

The October 12, 1947 article ... contains several nice items ... notice the quote from the town's founder, B.R. Harrington, then blind but still living ...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1947_10_12_growth.jpg

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey, that fire station building is still there. As far as Penny's they closed before JAB ( I think this is right) there was an Asbestos problem and they (Penny's ) closed since Crossroads was opening soon.....

BOTHfire stations are still there. The one on Robinson was a Salvation Army Community Center. Small place but the thing was designed for senior citizens. This one was an Indian location. Evey Friday they sold n-d-n tacos.

I am afraid that the J.C. Penny's in CH was like John A Brown's. We never shopped there at least regular, so its demise went without notice.

I had thought that the 1st time that Capitol Hill appeared in the available Sanborn Maps was 1922. Not so. Before 1922, the prior version of such maps available through the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Library System on-line Sanborn Maps was/is 1906, and Capitol Hill was included in that version. The maps generally show a sparsely inhabited area (i.e., not many dwellings or other buildings are shown to be present) and, with one exception, they are not particularly notable. If you want to see them for yourselves, click the links at the end of this post ... I've reduced the size down to 1024 px wide from their original 5100 px wide size but you can still read them.

The exception is part of page 93 which shows the area embraced within the "CapitAl" Hill definition and shows the location of a school identified as "Capital Hill School" at what would be the northwest corner of Harvey & SW 29th today. The notations in this page are also informative:


Population: 1500.
Water facilities – private wells & cisterns only.
Fire department – not organized, volunteers only.
1 hook & ladder truck, 20 fire pails.
Prevailing winds – south. Streets not paved.
Grades generally level. No Public lights.

Cropped portions of page 93 (click on image for larger):

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/maps/sanborn_1906_capitolhills.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/maps/sanborn_1906_capitolhill.jpg)

The school mentioned is presumably the one referred to in this August 15, 1906, article:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1906_08_15.jpg

Other than electrical power for trolley lines which had separate electrical power contracts (by 1908, the Oklahoma Railway Company had its own power plant via its Belle Isle facility; the trolley lines east of the Santa Fe RR were part of the Patterson line (Oklahoma Traction Company) until it was bought out by the ORC in 1913) Capitol Hill was without electricity per the March 2, 1909, article below.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1909_03_02_electricity.jpg

In Jana Hausburg's article at the MLS website (http://webinfo2.mls.lib.ok.us/okimages/okimages.asp?WCI=ViewEssay&WCU=000000027) (press F5 after clicking the link if it does not automatically load),


In July of that year, OG&E received a franchise to install electricity in the Capitol Hill area, with an agreement to leave street lights off during nights when a full moon was shining.
As yet, I've not located a similar Oklahoman article to that effect, and I'm a bit unsure of the statement since, in January or so 1910 Capitol Hill's annexation by Oklahoma City was a fait accompli and, so, presumably, Okc's contract with OG&E would have extended to the new boundaries established by the annexation.

The town would have to wait until 1907 to get telephone service, per the January 15, 1907, article below:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1907_01_15.jpg

So, in this time, Capitol Hill had no electricity, no phones, no public utilities of any kind other than the quasi-public utility of the trolleys. To boot, until a "wagon" bridge over the North Canadian on Robinson was done ... see the June 19, 1906, article below ... only a foot bridge connected Capitol Hill to Oklahoma City.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1906_06_19.jpg

Small wonder, then, that many in Capitol Hill wanted to be annexed by Oklahoma City ... which of course is another story.

You can see the detailed Sanborn Map pages of Capitol Hill at the links below:

Page 93: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/maps/sanborn_1906_p93.jpg

Page 94: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/maps/sanborn_1906_p94.jpg

Page 95: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/maps/sanborn_1906_p95.jpg

Page 96: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/maps/sanborn_1906_p96.jpg

on your map, i'd say that:

lincoln = walnut... sheilds runs parallel and just west of the atsf.
ohio = central
college = stiles

-M

on your map, i'd say that:

lincoln = walnut... sheilds runs parallel and just west of the atsf.
ohio = central
college = stiles

-M
I did have trouble matching up ... I'll have another look.

Martin said that
on your map, i'd say that:

lincoln = walnut... sheilds runs parallel and just west of the atsf.
ohio = central
college = stiles
-M

I'd say that Martin was 100% correct! The original map shown in the earlier post has been revised (you may have to press F5 to refresh the map) and I've also added some additional factoids in the same post about utility service relevant to that period of time.

Thanks a bunch, Martin, for catching my mistakes!

I think that I'm nearing the end of the research for the "final" Capitol Hill article ... though a few loose ends still remain but research for those items shouldn't take too much time.

As part of the "today" section of the article, I thought that photos of the historic points of ingress/egress to/from Capitol Hill and downtown Okc should be included -- I'll need to add something on the Shields-to-downtown connection, also -- but here are the Robinson & Walker photos.

Improvements to the bridges on Walker and Robinson over the Oklahoma River as part of MAPS (I) were/are certainly helpful and hopeful signs associated with these corridors.

The immediate impact along Robinson from the improved bridge doesn't show particularly remarkable improvement from what it was before the bridge was improved. Mostly populated by depreciating properties and low-end commercial ventures today, this corridor nonetheless still holds promise to become a beautiful thoroughfare connecting Capitol Hill and downtown Okc, something it never achieved during all of my review of Capitol Hill history. Civic pleas for improvement of this stretch date back to the 1930s or so.

For whatever cause, the part of Robinson extending south of Reno toward and into Capitol Hill has never seen any significant influx of private capital north of SW 26th or so as to make it something special. Maybe the corridor is a little better today than, say, 10 years ago -- it is cleaner, at least -- but no serious capital investment has occurred from the private sector, ever. Perhaps that will come as the Core To Shore development progresses with all of its promise.

Historically, the Walker connection to Capitol Hill was the most vital to Capitol Hill development, as well as the most attractive. In my judgment, that remains true today. The Rock Island underpass at Walker is far and away superior to its more narrow Robinson counterpart 3 blocks to the east.

Click on an image below for a 1024 px wide view.

Robinson Driving South Into Capitol Hill Today

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/robinson_2009_06_01_1s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/robinson_2009_06_01_1.jpg) http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/robinson_2009_06_01_2s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/robinson_2009_06_01_2.jpg)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/robinson_2009_06_01_3s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/robinson_2009_06_01_3.jpg) http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/robinson_2009_06_01_4s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/robinson_2009_06_01_4.jpg)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/robinson_2009_06_01_5s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/robinson_2009_06_01_5.jpg) http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/robinson_2009_06_01_6s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/robinson_2009_06_01_6.jpg)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/robinson_2009_06_01_7s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/robinson_2009_06_01_7.jpg) http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/robinson_2009_06_01_8s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/robinson_2009_06_01_8.jpg)

Walker Driving North From Capitol Hill Today

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/walker_2009_06_01_1s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/walker_2009_06_01_1.jpg) http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/walker_2009_06_01_2s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/walker_2009_06_01_2.jpg)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/walker_2009_06_01_3s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/walker_2009_06_01_3.jpg) http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/walker_2009_06_01_4s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/walker_2009_06_01_4.jpg)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/walker_2009_06_01_5s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/walker_2009_06_01_5.jpg) http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/walker_2009_06_01_6s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/walker_2009_06_01_6.jpg)

What can you tell me about the Capitol Hill YMCA?

I see that a Capitol Hill Branch YMCA was authorized in February 1953 and that its first permanent structure opened 9/12/1960 at 5325 S. Pennsylvania; that its name changed to "South Oklahoma City YMCA" in 1970; and that it has since relocated well south of Capitol Hill to 11801 S. May.

But, a 11/1/1970 article says that until the 5325 S. Penn facility was constructed that the Y's offices were located in quarters donated by Dr. W.H. Stotts, Capitol Hill dentist, in 11/1953.

Questions for CHOGs:

(1) Do you know where the 11/1953 office was located;

(2) Until the 5325 S. Penn facility was built, do you know where the Capitol Hill YMCA activities were conducted (if at any one place ... they may have been spread around)?
ON EDIT AS TO (2): I see that the Y's activities were spread around to various places in Capitol Hill before the 5325 S. Pennsylvania facility was established. But, as to (1), I've still not located the office of the Capitol Hill Y before that time.

What can you tell me about the Capitol Hill YMCA?

I see that a Capitol Hill Branch YMCA was authorized in February 1953 and that its first permanent structure opened 9/12/1960 at 5325 S. Pennsylvania; that its name changed to "South Oklahoma City YMCA" in 1970; and that it has since relocated well south of Capitol Hill to 11801 S. May.

But, a 11/1/1970 article says that until the 5325 S. Penn facility was constructed that the Y's offices were located in quarters donated by Dr. W.H. Stotts, Capitol Hill dentist, in 11/1953.

Questions for CHOGs:

(1) Do you know where the 11/1953 office was located;

(2) Until the 5325 S. Penn facility was built, do you know where the Capitol Hill YMCA activities were conducted (if at any one place ... they may have been spread around)?
ON EDIT AS TO (2): I see that the Y's activities were spread around to various places in Capitol Hill before the 5325 S. Pennsylvania facility was established. But, as to (1), I've still not located the office of the Capitol Hill Y before that time.

Why is it next to impossible to find Dr. Stotts office? The building where Sheen's Drug is located (n.e. corner of Robinson and Commerce) was a two-story building and his office was on the second floor.
My Dad had some dental work done by him and while in he "chair" noticed the Dr.'s discharge papers he received following WWI. When Dad asked him about the documents Dr. Stoots proceeded to tell his "war stories" during that visit and carried on same whenever Dad made a visit.
I'm not being negative concerning his stories but rather find it comical how "old" people can carry-on in such a manner........

Hey! Wait......that means me as well. :053:

During the mid '60's the Yale Theater did away with their concession stand and replaced it with all vending machines. Bad move. Stale popcorn. Watery cokes. Money gets lodged or machine takes it and gives nothing in return.

Later on in life I found it's the same story with a wife.........

Doug, I'd be really interested in a story about movie theaters around OKC. I don't think there is much on this board besides the work you've done. By the way, one of the theater website I really like is cinematour.com. You may have to google it as typing it into your own address bar may not work.

Doug, I'd be really interested in a story about movie theaters around OKC. I don't think there is much on this board besides the work you've done. By the way, one of the theater website I really like is cinematour.com. You may have to google it as typing it into your own address bar may not work.
Thanks, and I agree that this needs to be done. I've pretty much finished a "downtown" article already (aside from some very old theaters I've not yet added): Doug Dawgz Blog: Let's Go Downtown To The Movies (http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2006/07/lets-go-downtown-to-movies.html) . Eventually, I hope to finish that up and add another which is broader in scope but I'm not sure when that will happen. There are a few isolated theaters in the undone vintage map project: Doug Dawgz Blog: Vintage Oklahoma City Clickable Map (http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2009/02/vintage-oklahoma-city-map.html)

Some general links: Cinema Treasures | Search Theaters (http://cinematreasures.org/search/query=oklahoma+city&search=city)

The one you mentioned: CinemaTour - Cinemas Around the World - United States - Oklahoma (http://www.cinematour.com/theatres/us/OK/5.html) and CinemaTour - Cinemas Around the World - United States - Oklahoma (http://www.cinematour.com/theatres/us/OK/6.html)

Why is it next to impossible to find Dr. Stotts office? The building where Sheen's Drug is located (n.e. corner of Robinson and Commerce) was a two-story building and his office was on the second floor.
My Dad had some dental work done by him and while in he "chair" noticed the Dr.'s discharge papers he received following WWI. When Dad asked him about the documents Dr. Stoots proceeded to tell his "war stories" during that visit and carried on same whenever Dad made a visit.
I'm not being negative concerning his stories but rather find it comical how "old" people can carry-on in such a manner........

Hey! Wait......that means me as well. :053:
Thanks, that's helpful. The article doesn't say that the Y's offices were at his location, though ... it says that it was located in quarters donated by Dr. W.H. Stotts ... which may well be at his office location but that would be a guess. Do you know?

Thanks, that's helpful. The article doesn't say that the Y's offices were at his location, though ... it says that it was located in quarters donated by Dr. W.H. Stotts ... which may well be at his office location but that would be a guess. Do you know?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey doug:....Whoever ddavidson8 is hasn't read through our threads. I can't remember which one but, I'm sure PapaOU will. There is about three pages FULL of information on theaters in OKC and Surrounding areas. Not only are the stories there but the names of ALL movie and theater houses are listed....If papa can't find it we'll start retracing our footsteps. Papa:.......it was in the old Southside memories thread when Redskins/General was there. He (red/Gen) has a tremendous knowledge of all of the theaters.....A lot of your work on that project is finished Doug, we've just got to find it and get some input from other posters......

Thanks, and I agree that this needs to be done. I've pretty much finished a "downtown" article already (aside from some very old theaters I've not yet added): Doug Dawgz Blog: Let's Go Downtown To The Movies (http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2006/07/lets-go-downtown-to-movies.html) . Eventually, I hope to finish that up and add another which is broader in scope but I'm not sure when that will happen. There are a few isolated theaters in the undone vintage map project: Doug Dawgz Blog: Vintage Oklahoma City Clickable Map (http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2009/02/vintage-oklahoma-city-map.html)

Some general links: Cinema Treasures | Search Theaters (http://cinematreasures.org/search/query=oklahoma+city&search=city)

The one you mentioned: CinemaTour - Cinemas Around the World - United States - Oklahoma (http://www.cinematour.com/theatres/us/OK/5.html) and CinemaTour - Cinemas Around the World - United States - Oklahoma (http://www.cinematour.com/theatres/us/OK/6.html)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Doug:...in your pictures of Walker gong North of Capitol Hill there is a Billboard picture with a spanish advertisement...Under that billboard on Walker at the corner of 25th and Walker there were some retail shops there forever....They have only been dozed down in the past few years. Some of the guys/Gals should have some good stories as this place was always "seedy" in my memories....

thanks, that's helpful. The article doesn't say that the y's offices were at his location, though ... It says that it was located in quarters donated by dr. W.h. Stotts ... Which may well be at his office location but that would be a guess. Do you know?
88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888 8888888888888888888

doug: Go to the bottom of page 24 on the old southside memories thread started by teriokc. The battles of the minds began right in there....if i can get red/gen to participate he can save you all the research work involved......

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Doug:...in your pictures of Walker gong North of Capitol Hill there is a Billboard picture with a spanish advertisement...Under that billboard on Walker at the corner of 25th and Walker there were some retail shops there forever....They have only been dozed down in the past few years. Some of the guys/Gals should have some good stories as this place was always "seedy" in my memories....
I guess you mean this one:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/walker_2009_06_01_1s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/today/walker_2009_06_01_1.jpg)

The earliest aerial available at the county assessor's website for that location, 3/6/2003, shows the property already empty, so it's been at least 6 years ago that the buildings were razed.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/walker_commerce_3_6_2003.jpg

If by seedy you mean raucous outrageous behavior/activity, that's the stuff of good storytelling. If you just mean dilapidated and run down, there's no fun in that!

Do you mean good seedy? If so, let the seedy stories begin!

doug: Go to the bottom of page 24 on the old southside memories thread started by teriokc. The battles of the minds began right in there....if i can get red/gen to participate he can save you all the research work involved......
Thanks, I'll have a look.

On Edit: I've looked, beginning at MY page 24 of that thread, which starts at this point: OKCTalk - View Single Post - Southside OKC Memories....anyone? (http://www.okctalk.com/172420-post576.html) ... I mention "MY" page 24 since pages will vary depending on how you've set up your options in the software here (# of comments per page or something like that). I continued for several pages and then stopped since I couldn't figure out why you sent me there. Interesting reading, for sure, which went all over the map.

Since your reply was to this one by me (which you slightly revised as follows) ...


Thanks, that's helpful. The article doesn't say that the y's offices were at his location, though ... It says that it was located in quarters donated by dr. W.h. Stotts ... Which may well be at his office location but that would be a guess. Do you know?
... I assumed you were pointing me to some YMCA location information, earlier than the 5325 S. Penn location. If it was there, I didn't see it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Doug:...in your pictures of Walker gong North of Capitol Hill there is a Billboard picture with a spanish advertisement...Under that billboard on Walker at the corner of 25th and Walker there were some retail shops there forever....They have only been dozed down in the past few years. Some of the guys/Gals should have some good stories as this place was always "seedy" in my memories....

Don't know why you used the term "seedy".

The business next to the alley on the east side of Walker was a slot car track and later became an American Legion Post or VFW Hall don't remember which one.

During the mid to late '70's the D.A.'s office wanted to show they were protecting us from criminal enterprises. They raided the place for illegal gambling. Seems that they had weekly bingo games which were illegal.
The cops didn't take them in but rather booked on site, Name, address, etc. poor old ladies. Don't know if they were fined or not. My Grandmother was one of the gangsta's. Only time in her entire 87 years she was ever involved on the wrong side of the law.

The west side was an auto parts store, a barber shop, woodworking shop and on the n.w. corner of 25th and Walker was a Texaco station.

Don't know why you used the term "seedy".
* * *
* * * Seems that they had weekly bingo games which were illegal.
The cops didn't take them in but rather booked on site, Name, address, etc. poor old ladies. Don't know if they were fined or not. My Grandmother was one of the gangsta's. Only time in her entire 87 years she was ever involved on the wrong side of the law.
Well, if THAT'S what Generals64 meant by seedy, we'll need to be working on our definitions, won't we? :ohno:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey doug:....Whoever ddavidson8 is hasn't read through our threads. I can't remember which one but, I'm sure PapaOU will. There is about three pages FULL of information on theaters in OKC and Surrounding areas. Not only are the stories there but the names of ALL movie and theater houses are listed....If papa can't find it we'll start retracing our footsteps. Papa:.......it was in the old Southside memories thread when Redskins/General was there. He (red/Gen) has a tremendous knowledge of all of the theaters.....A lot of your work on that project is finished Doug, we've just got to find it and get some input from other posters......

Hi Generals, I'm ddavidson8. You can call me Dan if you want.

Sorry, double post.

An article I just read says that the securing of the first packing plant, Morris was one of the major events for Capitol Hill. I guess much of the peoples, trades and businesses grew to the south and the Capitol Hill area.

It also states that the Morris co. was to receive a "bonus" of $300,000 before they would move here. City leaders "found" the money............

An article I just read says that the securing of the first packing plant, Morris,
was one of the major events for Capitol Hill. I guess much of the peoples,
trades and businesses grew to the south and the Capitol Hill area.

It also states that the Morris co. was to receive a "bonus" of $300,000 before
they would move here. City leaders "found" the money...

That's very interesting. Is there a link we can read or do we have to go to a
library and read a book?

I think it's been established that packing town was not part of Capitol Hill (it wasn't even part of any city until the modern era) so rather than developing that topic here please start another thread for that. That said, see Doug Dawgz Blog: Stockyards City (http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2007/06/stockyards-city.html).

That's very interesting. Is there a link we can read or do we have to go to a
library and read a book?

Since it has some good photographs and tidbit of Capitol Hill I'll tell you.

Images of America; Oklahoma City Rediscovered, author is William D. Welge.

I don't have the book just happened upon it surfin da net......

I've got the Welge book; it's not bad at all and has some nice images and a fairly good section on Capitol Hill. This book was mentioned in the "What IS Capitol Hill" thread. Some of his photos really push the envelope is as to Capitol Hill ... like Oklahoma City Community College. South Town, sure; Capitol Hill, no way.

I have noticed in some of the older pictures and such Commerce Street is sometimes listed as West Commerce. I think the Beacon has West Commerce listed as its address on the building. I have never heard it called anything but Commerce. Have you found this to be true and if so is it the correct from to address the street name?

I have never heard this:

Harrington platted the 160-acre tract near the old Santa Fe Trail and staked out individual lots for sale. His purpose, said Harrington, was to give "sober and industrious mechanics an opportunity to secure homes."

Are they speaking of the historic Santa Fe Trail? Or the Santa Fe Railroad?

Sounds like you're quoting from Jana Hausburg's article at the Metropolitan Library Center: Oklahoma Images (http://webinfo2.mls.lib.ok.us/okimages/okimages.asp?WCI=ViewEssay&WCU=000000027) (press F5 after clicking the link if the article doesn't load). While interesting, there are at least a few errors in her article ... and you've caught one of them. The "old Santa Fe Trail" which she mentioned didn't come close to Oklahoma City, or Oklahoma, for that matter, except for the Panhandle in one of its iterations.

I had thought that the 1st time that Capitol Hill appeared in the available Sanborn Maps was 1922. Not so. Before 1922, the prior version of such maps available through the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Library System on-line Sanborn Maps was/is 1906, and Capitol Hill was included in that version. The maps generally show a sparsely inhabited area (i.e., not many dwellings or other buildings are shown to be present) and, with one exception, they are not particularly notable. If you want to see them for yourselves, click the links at the end of this post ... I've reduced the size down to 1024 px wide from their original 5100 px wide size but you can still read them.

The exception is part of page 93 which shows the area embraced within the "CapitAl" Hill definition and shows the location of a school identified as "Capital Hill School" at what would be the northwest corner of Harvey & SW 29th today. The notations in this page are also informative:






Cropped portions of page 93 (click on image for larger):

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/maps/sanborn_1906_capitolhills.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/maps/sanborn_1906_capitolhill.jpg)

The school mentioned is presumably the one referred to in this August 15, 1906, article:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1906_08_15.jpg

Other than electrical power for trolley lines which had separate electrical power contracts (by 1908, the Oklahoma Railway Company had its own power plant via its Belle Isle facility; the trolley lines east of the Santa Fe RR were part of the Patterson line (Oklahoma Traction Company) until it was bought out by the ORC in 1913) Capitol Hill was without electricity per the March 2, 1909, article below.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1909_03_02_electricity.jpg

In Jana Hausburg's article at the MLS website (http://webinfo2.mls.lib.ok.us/okimages/okimages.asp?WCI=ViewEssay&WCU=000000027) (press F5 after clicking the link if it does not automatically load),


As yet, I've not located a similar Oklahoman article to that effect, and I'm a bit unsure of the statement since, in January or so 1910 Capitol Hill's annexation by Oklahoma City was a fait accompli and, so, presumably, Okc's contract with OG&E would have extended to the new boundaries established by the annexation.

The town would have to wait until 1907 to get telephone service, per the January 15, 1907, article below:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1907_01_15.jpg

So, in this time, Capitol Hill had no electricity, no phones, no public utilities of any kind other than the quasi-public utility of the trolleys. To boot, until a "wagon" bridge over the North Canadian on Robinson was done ... see the June 19, 1906, article below ... only a foot bridge connected Capitol Hill to Oklahoma City.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/capitolhill/capitolhill_1906_06_19.jpg

Small wonder, then, that many in Capitol Hill wanted to be annexed by Oklahoma City ... which of course is another story.

You can see the detailed Sanborn Map pages of Capitol Hill at the links below:

Page 93: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/maps/sanborn_1906_p93.jpg

Page 94: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/maps/sanborn_1906_p94.jpg

Page 95: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/maps/sanborn_1906_p95.jpg

Page 96: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/maps/sanborn_1906_p96.jpg

Why are lots 10-11-19-20-21-22 and half of 29&30 shaded on the above Osborn Map? Does this represent anything or just a flaw in the copy?

You are probably aware of this Doug, but for those who don't know the Walker and Robinson Underpass are going to be demolished to make room for the new I40 pathway.

My parents used to honk while going under, I honked for my kids while going under and now my grand kids want me to honk when going under these railroad tracks. You used to be able to see trolley car tracks in the inside lanes of the passes. I think part of the rails system of the Union Station Depot is coming out as well.

Progress is bypassing people like us away............

You used to be able to see trolley car tracks in the inside lanes of the passes. I think part of the rails system of the Union Station Depot is coming out as well.

Progress is bypassing people like us away............

Are they on the ceiling? I drove under tonight and wondered what the things on the ceiling of the underpass were.

Are they on the ceiling? I drove under tonight and wondered what the things on the ceiling of the underpass were.

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At one time, there were Electric trolley Cars in the OKC Area. I remember as a small kid there were some trolley's in downtown but I don't remember any of them being in Capitol Hill. Those could very well be the electrical contacts that the trolley's used. If it's not gone, check around S.W. ninth and Walker there were some trolley tracks there. gotta go out of town tomorrow but will look for them Tuesday....those are about to disappear with the new I-40 exchange.
You would think they were railroad tracks but no, they were trolley tracks.

Are they on the ceiling? I drove under tonight and wondered what the things on the ceiling of the underpass were.

You are correct. Forgot those. The street cars were electric.

This question was raised on another thread but the above fits in within as well.

The question was why is S.W.25 divided between Blackwelder and Agnew?

Any divided streets in "inner Okc" was divided so that street cars could pass each other.

S. Shields/ S. Harvey from S.W. 29Th to S.W. 44Th/

There are more in the northern part of the city but I don't know the stop and start loctions. N.W.13th Western to ?

Why are lots 10-11-19-20-21-22 and half of 29&30 shaded on the above Osborn Map? Does this represent anything or just a flaw in the copy?
flaw in the copy

You are correct. Forgot those. The street cars were electric.

This question was raised on another thread but the above fits in within as well.

The question was why is S.W.25 divided between Blackwelder and Agnew?

Any divided streets in "inner Okc" was divided so that street cars could pass each other.

S. Shields/ S. Harvey from S.W. 29Th to S.W. 44Th/

There are more in the northern part of the city but I don't know the stop and start locations. N.W.13th Western to ?
SW 25th between Blackwelder & Agnew was part of a trolley route to/from Packingtown.

A trolley map appears in When Oklahoma Took the Trolley by Allison Chandler and Stephen D. Maquire (Interurbans 1980), shown below (except that I've added color coding):

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/trolleys/whenoktooktrolley_map02x.jpg

One problem with any trolley map is that not all parts of the overall route were in place at any one particular time. When the Capitol Hill/Packingtown route was added, or when it ended, I don't know. But, it did not exist in 1910.

A nice map and lengthy article appeared in the March 20, 1910, Oklahoman which showed the then existing and proposed routes for the then existing trolley company lines.

The map appears below but it's pretty hard if not impossible to make out everything in this view of the map -- but the map is handy (to the extent that it is accurate) in showing the development of Capitol Hill at this point in time:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/trolleys2/1910_03_20_1.jpg

For most of the above map, segments can be copied and then pasted together to form a single image, although that is not possible for the very bottom of the map. If you want to see the map reconstituted as just described, click here (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/trolleys2/1910_03_20_2.jpg).

The part of the reconstituted map which embraces Capitol Hill and nearby environs is shown below ... I've added color coding for the routes which appear to me to be Oklahoma Railway Co. routes (orangy-red) and Citizens Traction Co. (Patterson) lines (green):

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/trolleys2/1910_03_20_3.jpg

I may have gotten something wrong, though ... it is hard to read with certainty even in the reconstituted map. Comparing Allison Chandler and Stephen D. Maquires' When Oklahoma Took The Trolley book with the 1910 Oklahoman map it is evident that (1) the Capitol Hill/Packingtown link did not exist in 1910, but (2) the Citizen's Traction Company line along the east side of Capitol Hill did, even though it was much more extensive than shown in the book's map.

About the Oklahoma Traction Co. line for the Capitol Hill area, the accompanying article says, "The Oklahoma Interurban Traction company has a present terminus at Hudson and Grand avenues and extends through South Oklahoma, Ekroat and Schilling's addition into Capitol Hill on South Robinson Avenue. This line has been in operation for the past five years and has three cars in service over about four and one-half miles of track."

You can read the lengthy article which accompanies the above 1910 trolley map and which states the status and projections of the two trolley lines by clicking this link (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/trolleys2/1910_03_20_4.jpg).

All trolley service in Oklahoma City ended in 1947.

At one time there was a movement to get a railway station in Capitol Hill. Santa Fe, KATY......................
I wonder if the Interurban put an end to that?
Did Capitol Hill want a station for passenger or freight service? Both?

At one time there was a movement to get a railway station in Capitol Hill. Santa Fe, KATY......................
I wonder if the Interurban put an end to that?
Did Capitol Hill want a station for passenger or freight service? Both?
It badly wanted a Santa Fe depot of some kind. City leaders (at least by the time that H.C. Schillng (http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2009/05/curious-case-of-hc-schilling.html)) was mayor) tried for years for that to happen, saying that Capitol Hill (then a town) was the largest town on the route not to have a depot. I'm not aware of other RRs being sought out for one, but then, I'm just a Capitol Hill beginner.

The former Yale theater is now for sale.