Childhood Memories of OKC

[Prunepicker]

you're "Killing" me tonight... you are definitely right on the Jamboree and the
Scout-O-Rama... Still had a good time during those events... Do they still do
Cub Scouts? remember Camp Kickapoo?

Was the Jamboree ever at the Stockyards? I don't know. We'd camp out at
Woodson. Scout-O-Rama was an indoor event. I don't remember the
building but I do remember shooting paper clips with rubber bands at the
balloons. We were pretty good shots! Too bad there wasn't a Merit Badge
for it.

Kickapoo was where I was introduced to snipe hunting. Went on many a
camp out there. Kickapoo is still there.

[gen70]

I remember the boy scout functions at the fairgrounds and camp Kickapoo. Is that boy scout bldg. still functiong at 10th and May by the fairgrounds? It's a shame that the boy scouts aren't as popular as they used to be. I think the boy scouts helped mold young men into better people.

[papaOU]

I remember the boy scout functions at the fairgrounds and camp Kickapoo. Is that boy scout bldg. still functiong at 10th and May by the fairgrounds? It's a shame that the boy scouts aren't as popular as they used to be. I think the boy scouts helped mold young men into better people.

I think the building on N.W. 10th is now affiliated with the American Quarter Horse Association. Camp Kickapoo might have been sold off.

[Prunepicker]

I remember the boy scout functions at the fairgrounds and camp Kickapoo. Is
that boy scout bldg. still functioning at 10th and May by the fairgrounds? It's
a shame that the boy scouts aren't as popular as they used to be. I think the
boy scouts helped mold young men into better people.

That building, the Last Frontier Council, is still there but the Boy Scouts
moved out several years ago.

[gen70]

That building, the Last Frontier Council, is still there but the Boy Scouts
moved out several years ago.

Thanks! PP.

[kevinpate]

Boy Scouts office relocated to 3031 NW 64th, sometime before 95, but after 90 if memory serves.

The Scout Show at the fairgrounds ceased around 2000, maybe 99. Many of us active at the time lamented its passing, but it wasn't fulfilling its purpose. It's function was to introduce Scouting to non Scout folks. Looking back, the last couple of years there were in fact very few non Scouters and non Scouts on the grounds. It had become more of an opportunity for Scouts to get together with other Scouts. Not a bad thing but when you're looking at expenses, as putting the event together wasn't without cost, something that is not meeting its intended purpose can land on a chop block fairly quickly. My kiddos, blood and scout kin alike, all loved the event.

Kickapoo is still both active and undergoing a series of infrastructure improvements, with more still to come. the aged and delapidated old dining hall is now Eagle Lodge, restored several years back when one of the council biggiwiggies was also part of Frontier City. It's used for training events now. It's unreal to see today if you ever saw the dead dining hall. I wasn't in the area back in the days when the fining hall was originally functional.

The COPE course is alive and well across the way also.

[Generals64]

Hey was it just me and the Village Idiot.....but did any of you ever (steal Valve caps)?????? we must have been very bored in our childhood....

[Prunepicker]

Hey was it just me and the Village Idiot... but did any of you ever (steal
Valve caps)? we must have been very bored in our childhood...

Only if someone had stolen mine.

[papaOU]

Hey was it just me and the Village Idiot.....but did any of you ever (steal Valve caps)?????? we must have been very bored in our childhood....

did you get merit badges for doing that?

[Oldieslover55]

Howdy all,

Wow! Lots of memories here. Took me two days and about 4 sittings to read them all. I remember a lot of it and some is all new to me or I don't remember.

I was born in December of 55 so my memories start around the middle of 1959 as I remember from back when I was about 3 and 1/2.

Some of this was mentioned. Some I expanded on from my memories. But a lot of this I don't remember reading anywhere here. Some I don't remember exactly when and maybe someone can fill in some of the details I don't remember. Or correct any details I get wrong.

I guess one reason for my scattered memories is we moved around a lot. I went to schools as little as 6 months up to usually 2 maybe 3 years before we would move again.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The first school I went to for Kindergarten and maybe First Grade was in Midwest City. We lived in 3 houses out there. All 3 houses are gone now and the area is part of Tinker. Last I knew my school was still there being used by the base for some kind of schooling.

The first house I think was on Gruman street which ran north and south. I remember my very first memory was lying in bed looking out the front window and having the measles.

From there we moved north about half a block, turned the corner and down a block or so.

The third house we moved down the block almost to the main road. There was an A&W drive-in there and I remember the Papa, Mama and I think Baby burgers. I also remember always watching Mighty Mouse, Underdog, Bullwinkle and most of all Foreman Scotty. Danny Williams played Willard and there was Cannonball. There was a Ranch House, a bunkhouse and a cave where every time they went through they came out in the past. That got my interested in time travel and sci-fi.

I remember Gold Key Comics and thinking a nickel for comics was a lot. Remember Lone Ranger comics.

I believe Frontier City had a ride called the mouse and I remember it had 90 degree turns.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The next school I attended, 2nd Grade was in OKC. I don't know if the name has changed or if it's the same school but it's the one that I think is still at 55th and South Agnew. We lived at SW 59th and Agnew and from our backyard to 55th was nothing but tall grass.

When I was a kid we always went to the Myriad during Christmas and always got the paper sack with an apple, an orange and candy.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
From there I went to Heronville, 3rd, 4th and 5th, which was smaller then and had a bigger playground. There was another school during that time around 27th and S Penn that I went to for maybe 2 weeks, then back to Heronville. Then, a year or so later I went to another school in Midwest City for a couple of weeks then back to Heronville. Long story on those two sidetracks. From there I went to Rockwood for the last half of the 5th Grade.

I remember Johnson's Grocery on SW 31st. It was somewhere around the 2400 block. We only had to jump the corner of the fence and we were there.

I don't remember the name of the park – I think it's been mentioned here – it was at SW 29th and Penn – used to swim there.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Next it was Putnam Heights on the Northside, for 6th Grade, then Harding for 7th and 8th, then back to the Southside.

Besides Toys, Games and Yoyo's we used to call TG&Y – Toogly, Googly and Yoogly.

I remember the bank on N May past NW Expressway with the big gold dome and arches where I used to go and trade comics 2 for 1.

When I was at Putnam Heights, my teacher Mrs. Gonders or Gondors always read books to us through the year. That added to my interest in sci-fi.

I remember the Planet Bowling Alley, on SW 29th where I-40 comes up and meets it.

There was snow ice cream – but you could not use the first snow of winter as it was poison? The second snow and vanilla and you had cheap ice cream.

Someone mentioned getting swats in school. When I was at harding they had swats, running laps and holding hammers out from the shoulders without letting them dip for many minutes. I did all three once each and that was enough for me, but I came in first and only had to run 1 lap and I never let the hammers drop so no time was added.

I remember a grocery in the 2900 block of N McKinley. Can't remember their names but the old couple that ran it said they had been robbed by Bonnie & Clyde in the 30's.

When I went to Shepherd Mall it was active and from the back on Villa it was all grass. Now there are apartments that have been there a long time.

And when I was 12, I could throw newspapers by walking and never worried about getting kidnapped or accosted during the early morning.

There was a restaurant on N Classen around 32nd or 33rd that looked like a castle. Last I saw the building was still there.

I used to go to the Boy's club in the 2800 block of McKinley run by a Mr. Chancy.

I always liked going to Records Inc. at 23rd and Classen and would listen to 45's over the headphones. They put the records on to play and they would hand you the headphones from over the counter.

Sometimes I would go to Wilcox Records down the street on 23rd and I think around McKinley or Blackwelder. They had booths where you took the 45's in and listened on headsets.

I loved the chili-cheeseburgers from the Split-T on N Western. I've eaten them from whatever was there in later years but they weren't as good.

I worked summers at my grandfather's fence company which was located on NE 23rd east past the circle. Never knew why he had it all the way out there.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I went to Jackson for 9th Grade, then Capitol Hill for half the 10th grade and Southwest HS for the other half, where I took driver's ed.

I remember a mini-amusement park with rides at SW 29th and May in the store parking lot. I think it's Grider's now – don't remember what it was back then.

I worked at the McDonald's across the street from the Grider's at SW 29th near May in 1970 – told them my birth years was 1954 so I could go to work before I was 16. That was before they moved to 29th on May of course.

I also worked at the Big W Burgers drive-in in or near Moore.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Then back to the Northside where I went to Northwest Classen.

I remember a number of the teachers there, but I have forgotten some of their names. I remember the World History teacher and the Anthropology teacher who liked to play classical music in the class sometimes. I seen to remember a Mrs. Bimbo for English but the name doesn't sound right now. There was also Coach Piccolo who was related to Brian Piccolo the movie Brian's Song was about with James Caan.

The last time I was able to buy a drop was in the early 70's.

I used to work at the Sandy's chain. Burger chain and I was at the one on NW 23rd.

I remember Conway Twitty's house. His real name was Harold Jenkins. Anybody remember where he got Conway Twitty from?

I remember a Shakey's Pizza at about 40th and N May. They usually had someone there singing and playing guitar or some kind of entertainment.

I remember a Kenny's Shoe Store on N May just south of Northwest Expressway.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Does anyone remember the local country band – Jack Messick and the Midnight Ramblers?

Does anyone remember the local rock band called Buckwheat – they had a 45 called Hey Little Girl.

That's all I can remember for now.

Steve Messick Novels - Home

[SOUTHSIDE GIRL]

Howdy all,

Wow! Lots of memories here. Took me two days and about 4 sittings to read them all. I remember a lot of it and some is all new to me or I don't remember.

I was born in December of 55 so my memories start around the middle of 1959 as I remember from back when I was about 3 and 1/2.


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
From there I went to Heronville, 3rd, 4th and 5th, which was smaller then and had a bigger playground. There was another school during that time around 27th and S Penn that I went to for maybe 2 weeks, then back to Heronville. Then, a year or so later I went to another school in Midwest City for a couple of weeks then back to Heronville. Long story on those two sidetracks. From there I went to Rockwood for the last half of the 5th Grade.

I .

I don't remember the name of the park – I think it's been mentioned here – it was at SW 29th and Penn – used to swim there.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
there.

then Capitol Hill for half the 10th grade and Southwest HS for the other half, where I took driver's ed.

II .

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
That's all I can remember for now.

Steve Messick Novels - Home

Hey, you and I went to Heronville, together. I am from Jan to Dec older than you.

Park at 29th and Penn was Brock park. The pool was off 15th and Westwood called Rotary Park

Glad you joined us. Come have a hotdog Sept 26 1:30 Coits 25th and WEstern

[Generals64]

Howdy all,

Wow! Lots of memories here. Took me two days and about 4 sittings to read them all. I remember a lot of it and some is all new to me or I don't remember.

I was born in December of 55 so my memories start around the middle of 1959 as I remember from back when I was about 3 and 1/2.

Some of this was mentioned. Some I expanded on from my memories. But a lot of this I don't remember reading anywhere here. Some I don't remember exactly when and maybe someone can fill in some of the details I don't remember. Or correct any details I get wrong.

I guess one reason for my scattered memories is we moved around a lot. I went to schools as little as 6 months up to usually 2 maybe 3 years before we would move again.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The first school I went to for Kindergarten and maybe First Grade was in Midwest City. We lived in 3 houses out there. All 3 houses are gone now and the area is part of Tinker. Last I knew my school was still there being used by the base for some kind of schooling.

The first house I think was on Gruman street which ran north and south. I remember my very first memory was lying in bed looking out the front window and having the measles.

From there we moved north about half a block, turned the corner and down a block or so.

The third house we moved down the block almost to the main road. There was an A&W drive-in there and I remember the Papa, Mama and I think Baby burgers. I also remember always watching Mighty Mouse, Underdog, Bullwinkle and most of all Foreman Scotty. Danny Williams played Willard and there was Cannonball. There was a Ranch House, a bunkhouse and a cave where every time they went through they came out in the past. That got my interested in time travel and sci-fi.

I remember Gold Key Comics and thinking a nickel for comics was a lot. Remember Lone Ranger comics.

I believe Frontier City had a ride called the mouse and I remember it had 90 degree turns.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The next school I attended, 2nd Grade was in OKC. I don't know if the name has changed or if it's the same school but it's the one that I think is still at 55th and South Agnew. We lived at SW 59th and Agnew and from our backyard to 55th was nothing but tall grass.

When I was a kid we always went to the Myriad during Christmas and always got the paper sack with an apple, an orange and candy.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
From there I went to Heronville, 3rd, 4th and 5th, which was smaller then and had a bigger playground. There was another school during that time around 27th and S Penn that I went to for maybe 2 weeks, then back to Heronville. Then, a year or so later I went to another school in Midwest City for a couple of weeks then back to Heronville. Long story on those two sidetracks. From there I went to Rockwood for the last half of the 5th Grade.

I remember Johnson's Grocery on SW 31st. It was somewhere around the 2400 block. We only had to jump the corner of the fence and we were there.

I don't remember the name of the park – I think it's been mentioned here – it was at SW 29th and Penn – used to swim there.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Next it was Putnam Heights on the Northside, for 6th Grade, then Harding for 7th and 8th, then back to the Southside.

Besides Toys, Games and Yoyo's we used to call TG&Y – Toogly, Googly and Yoogly.

I remember the bank on N May past NW Expressway with the big gold dome and arches where I used to go and trade comics 2 for 1.

When I was at Putnam Heights, my teacher Mrs. Gonders or Gondors always read books to us through the year. That added to my interest in sci-fi.

I remember the Planet Bowling Alley, on SW 29th where I-40 comes up and meets it.

There was snow ice cream – but you could not use the first snow of winter as it was poison? The second snow and vanilla and you had cheap ice cream.

Someone mentioned getting swats in school. When I was at harding they had swats, running laps and holding hammers out from the shoulders without letting them dip for many minutes. I did all three once each and that was enough for me, but I came in first and only had to run 1 lap and I never let the hammers drop so no time was added.

I remember a grocery in the 2900 block of N McKinley. Can't remember their names but the old couple that ran it said they had been robbed by Bonnie & Clyde in the 30's.

When I went to Shepherd Mall it was active and from the back on Villa it was all grass. Now there are apartments that have been there a long time.

And when I was 12, I could throw newspapers by walking and never worried about getting kidnapped or accosted during the early morning.

There was a restaurant on N Classen around 32nd or 33rd that looked like a castle. Last I saw the building was still there.

I used to go to the Boy's club in the 2800 block of McKinley run by a Mr. Chancy.

I always liked going to Records Inc. at 23rd and Classen and would listen to 45's over the headphones. They put the records on to play and they would hand you the headphones from over the counter.

Sometimes I would go to Wilcox Records down the street on 23rd and I think around McKinley or Blackwelder. They had booths where you took the 45's in and listened on headsets.

I loved the chili-cheeseburgers from the Split-T on N Western. I've eaten them from whatever was there in later years but they weren't as good.

I worked summers at my grandfather's fence company which was located on NE 23rd east past the circle. Never knew why he had it all the way out there.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I went to Jackson for 9th Grade, then Capitol Hill for half the 10th grade and Southwest HS for the other half, where I took driver's ed.

I remember a mini-amusement park with rides at SW 29th and May in the store parking lot. I think it's Grider's now – don't remember what it was back then.

I worked at the McDonald's across the street from the Grider's at SW 29th near May in 1970 – told them my birth years was 1954 so I could go to work before I was 16. That was before they moved to 29th on May of course.

I also worked at the Big W Burgers drive-in in or near Moore.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Then back to the Northside where I went to Northwest Classen.

I remember a number of the teachers there, but I have forgotten some of their names. I remember the World History teacher and the Anthropology teacher who liked to play classical music in the class sometimes. I seen to remember a Mrs. Bimbo for English but the name doesn't sound right now. There was also Coach Piccolo who was related to Brian Piccolo the movie Brian's Song was about with James Caan.

The last time I was able to buy a drop was in the early 70's.

I used to work at the Sandy's chain. Burger chain and I was at the one on NW 23rd.

I remember Conway Twitty's house. His real name was Harold Jenkins. Anybody remember where he got Conway Twitty from?

I remember a Shakey's Pizza at about 40th and N May. They usually had someone there singing and playing guitar or some kind of entertainment.

I remember a Kenny's Shoe Store on N May just south of Northwest Expressway.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Does anyone remember the local country band – Jack Messick and the Midnight Ramblers?

Does anyone remember the local rock band called Buckwheat – they had a 45 called Hey Little Girl.

That's all I can remember for now.

Steve Messick Novels - Home

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You were quite the traveling...Made a lot stops all over the town.....Twitty got his name on a dare....The Side man (Joe Lewis) said Harold just wouldn't work. He picked up a map and pointed to Conway , Arkansas and said there...Conway Jenkins....Joe said No...and he picked up the same map turned the pages and landed on Twitty, Texas and thus you have Conway Twitty.....then came the jokes and they changed the name of the band to Conway Twitty and the Twitty Birds......Where was Southwest High School????

[Generals64]

did you get merit badges for doing that?

No merit badges but the Red Crown caps brought some good money when we sold them back to the owners......

[Oldieslover55]

Hey, you and I went to Heronville, together. I am from Jan to Dec older than you.

Park at 29th and Penn was Brock park. The pool was off 15th and Westwood called Rotary Park

Glad you joined us. Come have a hotdog Sept 26 1:30 Coits 25th and WEstern

Hey Southside girl - did we know each other? - i remember having 3 girlfriends while there - hehe.

[Oldieslover55]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You were quite the traveling...Made a lot stops all over the town.....Twitty got his name on a dare....The Side man (Joe Lewis) said Harold just wouldn't work. He picked up a map and pointed to Conway , Arkansas and said there...Conway Jenkins....Joe said No...and he picked up the same map turned the pages and landed on Twitty, Texas and thus you have Conway Twitty.....then came the jokes and they changed the name of the band to Conway Twitty and the Twitty Birds......Where was Southwest High School????

Generals64 - sorry about that - i mean Southeast High School.

Wow - i knew he got his name from those 2 cities but i didn't know the story behind it - thanks

[Oldieslover55]

Hey, you and I went to Heronville, together. I am from Jan to Dec older than you.

Park at 29th and Penn was Brock park. The pool was off 15th and Westwood called Rotary Park

Glad you joined us. Come have a hotdog Sept 26 1:30 Coits 25th and WEstern

Yeah - Brock Park - That's the one - thanks.

[Oldieslover55]

A few more memories -

I remember Ho Ho the Clown – I saw him once driving down the street with full makeup

My bother was on Foreman Scotty since he was 1 year older. I remember now that it was the Circle 4 Ranch and the Mystery Mine. Scotty's name was Steve Powell. Danny Williams played Xavier T Willard. Cannonball McCoy was played by Wilson Hurst. They had Widow Weep, Woody the wooden horse and Magic Lasso? Hehe thought that was Wonder Woman.

Bob Jenny the animal guy passed away 2/28/05.

What I remember the most – wasn't it Foreman Scotty who used to always say “You're cuter than a bugs ear.” Don't know why that stuck with me for 50 years.

I found this site with a lot of info about Foreman Scotty etc.

Mystery Mine

Later,


Steve Messick Novels - Home

[Generals64]

I remember very distinctly walking (by myself) to the Grocery store with not a fear one. I remember "Hitch Hiking" not worries....(10-12 years old)....I remember if you got into a fight and won you didn't have to worry about the other guys family doing a "drive by" shooting.....You won, he lost...end of the story...It seemed that most kids get over the win or lose count but now the families have to uphold their honor and pull a gun.....

[Prunepicker]

A few more memories -

I remember Ho Ho the Clown – I saw him once driving down the street with
full makeup

What I remember the most – wasn't it Foreman Scotty who used to always
say “You're cuter than a bugs ear.” Don't know why that stuck with me for
50 years.

Ho Ho's house was tore down last week. I've got a few bricks from it. I'll
bring some to the meeting.

Yes, "cuter than a bugs ear" was Foreman Scotty. He also called every
blonde headed kid a "tow-head". And "thumb or forefinger" if you had a
loose eye lash!

[SOUTHSIDE GIRL]

Hey Southside girl - did we know each other? - i remember having 3 girlfriends while there - hehe.

check your private messages I tried to send you one.

[papaOU]

Hey Southside girl - did we know each other? - i remember having 3 girlfriends while there - hehe.

I would/will never cheat on you SouthSide Girl..........

[papaOU]

Hey Southside girl - did we know each other? - i remember having 3 girlfriends while there - hehe.

I will never cheat on you SouthSide Girl..........

[Generals64]

I will never cheat on you SouthSide Girl..........

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Uh_OH:............I feel a "rumble" about to happen.....Maria ....Maria.... You know West Side Story....Was it the Aces and the Sharks????

[USG '60]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Uh_OH:............I feel a "rumble" about to happen.....Maria ....Maria.... You know West Side Story....Was it the Aces and the Sharks????

Jets.

[Prunepicker]

Uh_OH... I feel a "rumble" about to happen... Maria... Maria... You know
West Side Story... Was it the Aces and the Sharks?

Who's side are we on?

I'm gonna write "Southside Story"! The greasers and the soches. Hey! I
need funding! 1/2 million oughta work and I should have it ready in 25
years. Then I'll need travel funding to study the south side... South Padre,
South America, South China, South Wales...

Loretta, my face just got slapped by Loretta.
I hit her back for fun,
And then she pulled a gun, I run...

Loretta...