I was driving along NE 4th the other day and spotted this recently uncovered gem:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25726169@N03/6892692870/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25726169@N03/6892693010/in/photostream

I can't tell if the old Le'Ora's Beautye Salon is going to be torn down or if someone is attempting to fix it up, but I hope that someone plans to save the sign if the building is going to be demolished.

Does anyone know anything???

Unfortunately, this building is slated for demolition.

See more information and lots more photos here:

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=29040&page=3&p=522817#post522817

Does anyone know who the owners are? I'd love to contact them and see what their plans are for this sign.

It's owned by Brownstone Real Estate LLC. Their address of 211 N. Broadway in Edmond traces to this law firm:

http://www.stoddardmorris.com/

You could also contact the company doing the demolition work:


PERRY KENDALL, JR
KENDALL CONCRETE
4001 SW 27TH ST
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, 73108
Phone:
405-306-5302
Phone 2:
405-681-7162

What is the deal in OKC of creating all these false facades? Is anything in OKC even real?

just drove by... those boards have been removed and are stacked beside the road. i guess just anybody could swing by and snag them? : D

-M

Those boards would look killer in a downtown bar or even in someone's loft.

Here's the photos again.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25726169@N03/

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7222/6892692870_335387ff68_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7118/6892693010_e26b459a06_b.jpg

Those boards would look killer in a downtown bar or even in someone's loft.

i know... i'm fighting the urge to just take them. -M

Are there demo people on-site? If so, ask them if you can take them.

Otherwise, I'm going to call the demo company and see if I can arrange for someone to pick them up.

the site was vacant when i drove by... otherwise, my plan was to ask! -M

Just spoke to the guy doing the demolition... He's going to run by the site to double-check on the boards (wasn't exactly sure what I was talking about).

Assuming he gives the okay, who wants to go pick them up???

i'm in... this would look amazing as a living room wall, not to mention preserving something so cool. -M

absolutely, if no one else wants them I will take them...I have a small Coke collection (60's era square top machine, assorted signs etc)

If they are lying on the side of the road for trash pickup anyone can take them. You don't even have to ask. If I lived there I would be picking these up right now.

My only concern would be insect infested, esp termites, anyway to get them treated for such a thing just to make sure you dont have "unintended consequences" also without damaging the ad further (or is it farther)??

Anyone know anything about the "__emens groceries fresh & cured meats" store mentioned in the ad? The address (__ 2993) doesn't match this building or is that a phone number???

mmm snagged it!

I called the guy doing the demo and while initially suspicious, he ended up being very helpful. mmm got over there with a truck and a helper and picked up all the boards.

Look forward to seeing what becomes of this! I'm really glad it was at least saved from a landfill.

Way to go mmm.

i've got it! a big shout out to pete for making it happen. the sign is around 12x20, so it's going to take a special space... but i'm putting an offer on a house where, coincidentally, i think it will fit perfectly. for now, i've got the boards in a storage shed and out of the elements. the plan is to clean them up over the next few weeks. i'll try to post pics throughout the process! -M

I can think of several types of business establishments where that wall would look really cool.

that's true... the benefit there is that the piece could still be enjoyed in a public context. i wouldn't rule that option out depending on how events unfold. my concern, though, would be what happens to the piece if such a business establishment were to fold. -M

OKCTalk saves the day!!!!!

I'm so glad this piece of OKC history has been saved -- good work, guys! Now, since we all worked together, mmm, you have to invite us over when you get it assembled someday. I'd love to see it up on a wall somewhere. And, I can't believe that someone so casually tossed it out without even thinking twice about it -- makes you wonder what other treasures we've lost in such a cavalier way.

that's true... the benefit there is that the piece could still be enjoyed in a public context. i wouldn't rule that option out depending on how events unfold. my concern, though, would be what happens to the piece if such a business establishment were to fold. -M

Maybe Devon could find a place for it in NEBU. That complex is as steril as an operating room - it could use some color and character.

that's true... the benefit there is that the piece could still be enjoyed in a public context. i wouldn't rule that option out depending on how events unfold. my concern, though, would be what happens to the piece if such a business establishment were to fold. -M
Make it contingent on ownership reverting back to you if that were to happen

Congrats!

Yes yes! Awesome work guys!
I hope to see this in a public space!

I'm so glad this piece of OKC history has been saved -- good work, guys! Now, since we all worked together, mmm, you have to invite us over when you get it assembled someday. I'd love to see it up on a wall somewhere. And, I can't believe that someone so casually tossed it out without even thinking twice about it -- makes you wonder what other treasures we've lost in such a cavalier way.

Thanks for bringing this to our attention and playing a big part in saving it!

Love your photos on Flickr, too.

http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2012/04/03/7528/

I received an urgent string of emails yesterday as I was busy covering some stories going on at City Hall. For those unaware, a couple of old buildings, both real gems, are being torn down along NE 4. One, the old Le’Ora’s Beautye Salon, had a surprise as the brick walls started coming down…

My friends speculated that from the carton design on the graphic, the sign might date to the 20′s and would be well worth trying to save. But even as this discussion was underway, demolition had already started. The wall was taken down and feared lost forever… but what’s trash to one person is a treasure to another. I am told the sign, left in a pile, has been rescued by fellow history enthusiast and is in safe keeping. I’ll verify this soon and report back…

Wow, this thread was fun to read through! M, congrats on saving the day! Is anyone else heartbroken that this false facade wasn't removed, wall restored, and building properly renovated for a coffee shop?


what is the deal in okc of creating all these false facades? Is anything in okc even real?

But Kerry wins.

Awesome is all I can say.

Ok, 12 x 20 is probably a little larger than I could find a use for (and it would be a shame to cut it down to fit), just glad it is going to get a second life and rescued from the dump!

... my concern, though, would be what happens to the piece if such a business establishment were to fold. -M

Two thoughts. Find an establishment and have it there 'on loan', similar to how art gets shared amongst museums. Do not pick a Bricktown bar/pub and your odds might improve greatly against the selected business folding on you.

I would happily display it in one of our stores in Bricktown with proper credit, on loan. We have a number of Bricktown historic items displayed in the same way in a RetroMetroOKC exhibit. Pretty sure it would not fit vertically though, as our ceilings are low-ish. Could be another worthwhile place down here though. One thought might be to contact Coca-Cola and see if they would be interested in being involved.

All ready on it Urbanized. It just so happens that work 1 week a month in the Atlanta headquarters of Coca Cola. I sent an email with the pictures of the sign to my contacts (who also happen to be personal friends) there to see if this is something KO has an interest in.

I don't see it here, so it may have been asked on the Jewel Theater thread, but someone was curious about the name of the grocer. The 1930 city directory lists the name as F E Clemens, Grocer. Not sure of any other details of this person or the business, but I have intrigued a couple other people with this so we may find out more if anyone is interested.

All ready on it Urbanized. It just so happens that work 1 week a month in the Atlanta headquarters of Coca Cola. I sent an email with the pictures of the sign to my contacts (who also happen to be personal friends) there to see if this is something KO has an interest in.

I think this sign needs to remain in OKC.

I think this sign needs to remain in OKC.

I made that clear in my email to them. I seem to remember a while back reading in one of the employee newsletters that Coke wanted to preserve as many of these types of sign as they could. Obviously it is great advertising for them and would never be allowed in most places where they exist now if they tried to make the sign today. For instance, the City would NEVER allow this sign to go back where it just came from as it would most likely fall under a billboard or sign ordinance that makes these illegal - and that's a shame.

Maybe Devon could find a place for it in NEBU. That complex is as steril as an operating room - it could use some color and character.

No thanks. Ate at Nebu earlier this week and I disagree, not to mention it has great colorful views of the park out front and the MBG. By keeping it "stark" the outdoors become the focal point.

haven't been able to do much this week due to the rain... i'm still putting together a plan of attack to get this thing restored and assembled.

for restoration: i'm not sure termites will be a problem but am consulting with a termite guy just to make sure. until then, these don't get stored in the garage. for each piece, i'll first go over each side with a shop vac to suck up as much grime as possible. then, i'm going to have to do something with all the nails. i'm debating whether to pull them or simply cut the ends off with a dremel. since some of the nail heads are painted over, i'm leaning towards using the dremel. once all the nails and flashing are removed, the plan is to gently clean the painted side with a damp cloth (no soap) and immediately dry off any excess moisture. for preservation, i'm not sure if i'll apply anything to the back of the boards but will apply a layer of spray-on matte clear coat.

i'm still debating on how to display the piece. i'm thinking about attaching a strip of laminate to the top and bottom of the backs of 4-6 boards to build a section. i'll put a bit of felt on the back of the laminate and lean each section on the wall. that seems to me to be the least destructive method of display, both to the piece and my walls.

if you guys have any ideas, cautions, or suggestions... i'd love to hear them.

here's a pic of what the sign looks like right now... the colors are a bit washed out 'cause i took this with my ipad instead of a 'real' camera. -M

1193

What if we could incorporate some kind of a permanent outdoor exhibit (properly encased and weather-proofed) in the new Central Park? Throw in other bits of signage removed from old buildings, some of the Baum bldg spires scattered around town, etc...

if some business or organization makes a serious commitment, i'm all for something that gets this piece assembled professionally and displayed publicly. however, i don't think an outdoor display would be ideal for this wooden object. whatever it is, though, i agree it needs to be in oklahoma city.

-M

if some business or organization makes a serious commitment, i'm all for something that gets this piece assembled professionally and displayed publicly. however, i don't think an outdoor display would be ideal for this wooden object. whatever it is, though, i agree it needs to be in oklahoma city.

-M

How about the state historical society ?

if they were interested, i think that'd be a great place. -M

Another possibility, along the same lines as the OHS, might be the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. It's been a while since I was in there but I think they had an area with older ad materials.

Actually OHS is a great idea. This sign is right up Bob Blackburn's alley.

Has anyone contacted "Great Plains Coca Cola" here in OKC?
They might be interested in sponsoring the restoration / display of this!

Great Plains is no longer Great Plains. It is now a local division of Coca-Cola corporate.

What if it could be encased into something like this in the news M3 Park?

http://ad009cdnb.archdaily.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/1326999230-isgmlehoux5-528x351.jpg

Okc Underground concourse?

Not aware of any sections with 12' ceilings. That sign is pretty massive.

^^ Didn't realize.

Bricktown, somewhere along the canal would be good.

One of those abandoned storefronts along the Canal would be great.

hey okctalk people, i need your help... and more importantly, so does this awesome sign.

i never got any offers to host the sign publicly, so i started down the path of restoring it and displaying it in my house. after finally getting settled in the new house, i've had time over the past several weeks to start restoring the sign in my spare time. i completely underestimated the size of the sign in comparison to the room where i was going to place it. the sign is 10' x 24' and the wall i had planned for it is 9' (minus 5" for crown molding) x 16'. for whatever reason, i got it in my head that my ceiling was 10' high and that each sign plank was only 8" wide... so, in actuality, the sign won't fit.

obviously, i could cut the sign down to display on my wall and possibly display what i cut out in another part of my home. however, i really don't feel good about that. i've included a graphic below to show what would be displayable on my wall.

so... i'm reaching out to you guys again. if anybody has connections that would be interested in restoring and displaying this sign publicly, please get with me. or... am i overreacting? is it better to restore this sign in some way rather than risk it being destroyed altogether?

thanks! -M

2622

I'll put a post out on Twitter and Facebook and see if we can find someone in town that could use it and take good care of it.

MMM, sorry I've been absent from this conversation. Let's get it on display in the Hart Building along Film Row. I think Chip Fudge will go for it.... he's going to have a historic city display I think will be accessible to the public....

thanks, guys... lemme know. i have the sign stored at my old house, partially assembed in the garage if you want to see it. however, i think i've got the place place rented. it's likely i'll need to get the sign moved out by october 1 and i'd prefer to move it around as little as possible because the paint on the unrestored sections is pretty fragile.

-M

Not sure about number of eyes viewing it, but if the ballpark has coca cola products and not pepsi - I am sure there is space inside there.