Childhood Memories of OKC

[Pete]

Also:

PArkside (72...)

I grew up in the Putnam City area and I can clearly visualize the paper sticker on the middle of our rotary phone dial that started PA1-....


If you look carefully at some of the ads I posted from the 60's, you'll see a lot of them have the old exchange, i.e. first two letters of the phone number are shown as letters.

[flintysooner]

Before about 1962 the nearest phone was about 1/2 mile away at the neighbor's house. You just picked up the receiver and talked to an operator as I recall.

Our first phone was in 1962 and it was a private line. Our first extension was NEwton. Later that became SWift.

My dad's first job in Okc in 1934 involved answering the phone. He said they had 2 lines and he had a kind of a toggle switch that allowed him to select one line or the other.

[AFCM]

Not quite OKC, but I remember a few things from growing up in Mustang.

I remember when the Mustang section of H152 was only two lanes.

If any of you are from Mustang, particularly the "Heights" area, you may remember the bike trails and ramps located just east of Czech Hall Rd and north of the railroad tracks. I spent a majority of my time there as a kid when I wasn't playing ball, which brings me to my next memory of...

...playing baseball near the sewage plant. On a warm day, the smell of ripe and stinking poop would fill the air. We didn't care though, as long as we got our "Suicide Soda" after a Mustang Jaguar victory.

Lastly, I remember being in KinderCare when a tornado hit. My mom came to the center, freaking out, and picked up my brother and me. That's about all I really remember well.

My memories may not go as far back as some of your's, but I'm only 26.

[flintysooner]

My memories may not go as far back as some of your's, but I'm only 26.

Don't worry. Before you know you'll turn around and be telling some other 20 something to not worry about it.

[AFCM]

Don't worry. Before you know you'll turn around and be telling some other 20 something to not worry about it.

Then I can remind them I grew up in the City without Bricktown, all of the river developments, NBA, new towers, etc. I'll really sound like an old-timer then!

[Prunepicker]

Telephone exchange names; the seven/all-number system came in in early/mid- '60s; the leading two numbers remain, but who recalls what they stood for?


VIctor (84... )
WIndsor (94...)
CEntral (23...)
GReenfield (47...)
JAckson (52...)
GArfield (42... not sure of this, but I think it was NE side)
MUtual (68...)
SHadyside (74...)
SWift (79...)
MElrose (63...)

ORange (east side)
SUnset (Bethany?)
PErshing (Mid West City)

Was Edmond FIsher?

Garfield was east side.
I remember a girl in 2nd grade that said her prefix was NUtual, which was the same as MUtual.

Prunepicker

[John]

Was Edmond FIsher?

Yeah

[bornhere]

I remember Owens Drug at NW 36 & Drexel, where I got my first Spider-Man comic (#3). I think I had my first milk shake there, too, served in the old stainless steel mixer cup and poured out into the parfait glass.

I remember when the Broadway Extension was 2-lane blacktop.

In addition to Veazey's, there was another chain of drug stores in town in the 50's/60's. I don't remember the name, but its neon signs had a red disk that started small and expanded outward. There was one at 16th & Portland, I think. The owners were family friends, although I don't recall ever meeting them - just hearing about them.

I remember Hotsy's Hot Dogs on the south side in the seventies. There were a couple of those.

I remember the Squire Shop at Shepherd Mall and Mr. Buck, Inc. Cutchall's and Napoleon Nash.

Taylor's News is still in business downtown, I guess, but I remember two other downtown bookstores — their names escape me. Rector's was one - but I still can't recall the other. A Points Northe in the Arcade. James Neill Northe was the proprietor. There was also a book store/newsstand at the pre-enclosure Penn Square.

I remember seeing Steve Powell and Danny Williams playing some sort of jai-alai like game on the ramp of the OPUBCO Pavilion at the 1957 State Fair. I don't remember the name, but I recall it was very popular with kids at the time.

My dad took me fishing once at an area lake that had a large U-shaped fishing pier. It was covered and had electric lighting, as I recall. We went fishing at night there a couple of times.

I remember there used to be a beacon/sign on top of Liberty Bank (in the Ramsey Tower) that changed color depending on the weather forecast.

I remember when Grand Boulevard in that same neighborhood was still a dirt road with a Rock Island track running alongside it. But the track was abandoned even then, I think. I never saw a train on it.

I remember Nicolosi's, as someone previously mentioned, and Tony's on Penn. I also recall the unrelated Tony's Via Roma on NW Expwy, before it moved further west and tanked.

I remember the old Northwest Hiway Drive-In where the hotel is now (Marriott?).

The Villa Theatre, and a smaller theatre on the north side of tenth west of Portland.

The Knob Hill, the Chieftain, the Skytrain. And what was the name of the one on Pennsylvania near NW 12th? I remember seeing 'Patton' there.

The Cinema Mayflower and the Cooper Cinerama downtown, which both became adult theatres before going out of business. For that matter, I remember when we had adult theatres. Seems unthinkable now, but they were all over the place for awhile.

Does my memory fail me, or was the dome of the First Christian Church originally covered completely in aluminum?

[dances with cameras]

bornhere talking about comic books takes me back. I remember going to the Apollo Twin Theater in MWC back in the day. And while my cousin and I were waiting for my mom to come pick us up, we'd walk next door to Eckerd's and buy comic books. They were around 60 cents I think. Man, I saw Smokey and the Bandit there, and other classics like Viva Knievel! There was also a Twid's sporting goods next door--now they're much farther west.

Anyone else remember cruising Air Depot and eating at Shotgun Sam's, Mr. Gatti's, or Godfather's Pizza across from Crest? I REALLY miss Godfather's Pizza.

[redcup]

Aladdin BookStore used to be downtown by the old main library. My girlfriend and I would go there every Saturday. We ate at Anna Maude's, saw a movie, shopped at Brown's and browsed both the library and bookstore. That was about 1966-69.

[bornhere]

I remember the Shotgun Sam's on May near 39th.

Anyone remember KFNB radio? It was a commercial classical station, although with almost no advertising. It was owned by First National Bank, and I think it had its studios in the bank building.

(Which reminds me of KOFM, the only radio station I actually miss.)

Speaking of Twid's — I remember when Carl Twidwell was in the state house and advocating laetrile as a cancer treatment.

I drove by York TV on May the other day and was reminded of when Yvonne York was in the news almost every day because of her opposition to busing and school desegregation.

All of that was a little later than childhood for me, though.

[Prunepicker]

I remember Owens Drug at NW 36 & Drexel

I don't remember that one. Which corner it was on? Was it where the Nomad apartments are?

In addition to Veazey's, there was another chain of drug stores in town in the 50's/60's. I don't remember the name, but its neon signs had a red disk that started small and expanded outward. There was one at 16th & Portland.

It started with an S. Skeeter's? There was one on N. May across the street from Taft Stadium.

I remember the old Northwest Hiway Drive-In where the hotel is now (Marriott?).

If memory serves it was called the Northwest Twin.

And what was the name of the one on Pennsylvania near NW 12th? I remember seeing 'Patton' there.

It later became Oui Lin's Chinese restaurant.

[Tom Elmore]

Papa Jack --

D'ja ever have a "Shore Patrol Salad" at Hardy's Steakhouse?

Anybody remember the Carnation Restaurant that used to be at N. Classen and 23rd?

I was just a kid in 1960, growing up down in Ardmore, when my baby brother took ill with Spinal Meningitis. Nobody but my dad -- who had had Meningitis when he was in the Navy during WWII -- recognized the illness for what it was. When he suggested this to one of the very good MDs in Ardmore, a spinal tap was performed, and, with the results, mom and dad raced north in their '60 Bel Air to Childrens's Hospital in Oklahoma City along old US 77.

Somewhere along the way, an OHP trooper pulled them over. When dad explained the situation, the trooper took the situation firmly in hand -- leading them to OKC while radioing ahead. At the city limits, OCPD motorcycle officers took over. Dad said he had trouble keeping up. In any case, the little guy was placed in the hands of the folks at the hospital, and thanks in part to the way things had happened to move the diagnosis along, was saved by Dr. Sapper and the staff there. (He's a 6-foot-3 cost accountant at Integris Health today...)

In any case, it seemed to me -- at age 5 -- that the family was strung out between my grandparents' house in Ardmore, where my middle brother and I stayed while mom and dad were in OKC, and "points north," nearly forever.

After the situation was under control, we got to go up and visit -- and I distinctly remember the cheeseburger, french fries and chocolate malt at the Carnation Restaurant. It seemed absolutely amazing to me at the time.

TOM ELMORE

[solitude]

Several things regarding some of the recent posts.....lots of memories!

- The drug store chain in town with the bullseye logo was Sheen Drug. Also, remember Hyde's?

- The drive-in on NW Expressway west of May was called, "Northwest Hiway Drive-In".

- KFNB was never classical, it aired a "beautiful music" format for most of its final years (Elevator Music).

- The theater on Penn was not where Oui Lin's was - they were there at the same time. The theater was called the Trend.

- As for a drug store at NW 36 & Drexel - I have no recall. Are you sure it wasn't 19th and Drexel? "Drexel Drug" - it had the old fashioned soda fountain.

- The theater west of Portland on NW 10th was the Wes-Ten.

We're dating ourselves.

[CCOKC]

My grandmother lived at 18th and Drexel and I remember that drug store well. It was a rexall drug store as I recall. We walked over there when I stayed with my grandparents and had rainbow sherbet at the fountain. My other grandmother lived close to Mayfair and we would walk over there to eat at their fountain. The only drugstore I know of now with a fountain is the one at Nichols Hills Plaza.
Wonder if Aubrey has plans to tear it down.

[dances with cameras]

Did someone mention KOFM? That was all I listened to back in 78-80. Whatever happened to Les "Boogieman" Michaels? I think I still have some of those little "star sheets" that had all the top singles of every week. We used to get them at Musicland at Heritage Park Mall.

Speaking of the mall, I think it's depressing as hell to walk through Heritage Park these days. I don't know what plans there are for it, but I think it needs to be addressed soon. That location is WAY too good for another empty building.

[OKCMallen]

Did someone mention KOFM? That was all I listened to back in 78-80. Whatever happened to Les "Boogieman" Michaels? I think I still have some of those little "star sheets" that had all the top singles of every week. We used to get them at Musicland at Heritage Park Mall.

Speaking of the mall, I think it's depressing as hell to walk through Heritage Park these days. I don't know what plans there are for it, but I think it needs to be addressed soon. That location is WAY too good for another empty building.

Some state agencies are in there righ tnow, which is a nice way to start on it, IMO.

[Prunepicker]

Some state agencies are in there righ tnow, which is a nice way to start on it, IMO.

Unfortunately, state agencies don't help the economy. Let's hope it doesn't end up like Shepherd Mall.

Prunepicker

[Prunepicker]

The theater on Penn was not where Oui Lin's was - they were there at the same time. The theater was called the Trend.

Where was it from Oui Lin's?

Prunepicker

[zachtaylor alum]

Papa Jack --

D'ja ever have a "Shore Patrol Salad" at Hardy's Steakhouse?

Anybody remember the Carnation Restaurant that used to be at N. Classen and 23rd?

I was just a kid in 1960, growing up down in Ardmore, when my baby brother took ill with Spinal Meningitis. Nobody but my dad -- who had had Meningitis when he was in the Navy during WWII -- recognized the illness for what it was. When he suggested this to one of the very good MDs in Ardmore, a spinal tap was performed, and, with the results, mom and dad raced north in their '60 Bel Air to Childrens's Hospital in Oklahoma City along old US 77.

Somewhere along the way, an OHP trooper pulled them over. When dad explained the situation, the trooper took the situation firmly in hand -- leading them to OKC while radioing ahead. At the city limits, OCPD motorcycle officers took over. Dad said he had trouble keeping up. In any case, the little guy was placed in the hands of the folks at the hospital, and thanks in part to the way things had happened to move the diagnosis along, was saved by Dr. Sapper and the staff there. (He's a 6-foot-3 cost accountant at Integris Health today...)

In any case, it seemed to me -- at age 5 -- that the family was strung out between my grandparents' house in Ardmore, where my middle brother and I stayed while mom and dad were in OKC, and "points north," nearly forever.

After the situation was under control, we got to go up and visit -- and I distinctly remember the cheeseburger, french fries and chocolate malt at the Carnation Restaurant. It seemed absolutely amazing to me at the time.

TOM ELMORE

What was in that Shore Patrol salad at Hardy's? I remember that there was some wonderful salad served with the great steaks but can't recall the ingredients.
The Carnation restaurant across from the gold dome was great. In the '60's, the price of each dip of ice cream was 5 cents, so a triple dip cone was 15 cents. The cheeseburgers and fries were excellent, too.

[bornhere]

I don't know what happened to Les Michaels, but I was thinking more of the 'Fresh Air' era.

36th & Drexel was a typo – it was 16th & Drexel, facing 16th and it was called Owens Drug. I'm pretty sure it was not on 18th. I think it was torn down for the Safeway/Homeland.

I know I heard classical music on KNFB.

The drug store did start with an 'S' - thanks for jogging my memory. But was Sheen's, not Skeeter's.

[The Old Downtown Guy]

In 1975, I worked at a little diner near downtown - either Hudson or Harvey - I think around 13th or south of 13th. It has been gone a long time, but it was set up with a long counter and a few booths. . . . I simply cannot remember the name or exact location of the diner! Anyone?

It sounds like it might be the one across from the Sieber. I'm not sure if it's still open now, but ther was a pretty good Jamacian place in there for a while . . . maybe still there. But the last dinner type operation I recall was the Busy Bee. Some of the previous tenants had other names for it that I can't recall, but they are all archived under the many layers of paint on the sign.

[Lauri101]

It sounds like it might be the one across from the Sieber. I'm not sure if it's still open now, but ther was a pretty good Jamacian place in there for a while . . . maybe still there. But the last dinner type operation I recall was the Busy Bee. Some of the previous tenants had other names for it that I can't recall, but they are all archived under the many layers of paint on the sign.

Yep, that was the place. Steve L. sent me a picture and I recognized the shape of the building, plus location is right.

It was one of the hardest jobs I ever worked, and I wasn't a great waitress when it came to carrying multiple items. Fortunately, I was in my "cute" years, so I got good tips despite the spilled food and broken plates.

[Prunepicker]

It sounds like it might be the one across from the Sieber. I'm not sure if it's still open now, but ther was a pretty good Jamacian place in there for a while . . . maybe still there. But the last dinner type operation I recall was the Busy Bee. Some of the previous tenants had other names for it that I can't recall, but they are all archived under the many layers of paint on the sign.

It was on the southeast corner of N.W. 12th and Hudson. The original name was Johnnie's Topper Burger. It was owned by Johnnie and Julia, I don't remember their last name. They had it for a long time, 10 or 15 years. Next it became the Busy Bee, for about 1 or 2 years. Then it became Delgado's Mexican Diner. It was owned by Eloy and Mary Delgado. They owned it until they moved to the back of the shopping center directly across from Kaiser's on 10th. I don't remember what happened next because I had moved to Tulsa to become a world famous rock star.

Prunepicker.

[ddavidson8]

now i thought dillards was in crossroads from day one... wasn't john a brown's where sanger-harris/foley's/macy's is now?

i never knew there was a disco in penn square! that's hilarious. i'd bet my brother knows the name... not that he was into disco or anything. ahem.

this thread delivers. i love remembering all this stuff. -M

The place with a huge slide was called "Stampede", wasn't it? It was located at N. May and 63rd where the PetsMart is now. It also had an arcade and a mechanical bull. I remember going there during the day as a kid, but at night I think it was a club.