Oklahoma City Memories

[USG '60]

Just Hits and runs huh!! Well, I like that.. It was spelled Carps and it was on the west side of Lincoln, but I may be wrong but I would swear it was just North of N.E. 23rd like 24th or so? I may be wrong on that but I don't think so. Actually I think it was between 23rd and 24th.....

I was thinking it was north of most of the motels. That is why I thought it was closer to 36th.

[Redskins/General]

I was thinking it was north of most of the motels. That is why I thought it was closer to 36th.

You may very well be correct, I just can't remember that well where it was!! That's been a while back, I don't remember what year they closed either!!

[andy157]

Anyone remember the 89er Inn, and what year it burned down? East side of Lincoln between 23rd and 36th.

[3arr0ws]

l'm new here...anyone remember rotary park. l lived near there on 17th street

[SOUTHSIDE GIRL]

Welcome, I think most of us do.......I went to the pool at rotary some.....

[LeethalDose]

I'm new here - wow - what a thread!

Lotsa memories. My intro: i'm a USGrant General - '70. Played drums in a few bands around - The Sound Pounders - Columbus Discovery - Galley amd many more thru out the years. Played the first KattWorld in a band called Free Freight.

i just came from the museum at the Oklahoma History Center. Saw Ronnie Kaye, Don Wallace, Danny Williams, Count Gregore, ?OKC Elvira? - Here's the promo -

KOMA, The Best Music of the 60's & 70's

"Experience "The Scene" with Ronnie Kaye live at the Oklahoma History Center Friday, September 4th. See performances by The 5 Americans, Jim Edgar & The Roadrunners, and the reunion of the group Uptown Syndicate."

Took a group pic with Ronnie & bands galore! Squatty & the Bodies, Wayne & the Beldettas, Continentals, FairWeather Forecast, MarblePhrogg, GraveRaiders, PurpleOsland - too many to recount...

Brewer of Brewer & Shipley sang too. (Remember the song "One *ok* over the line, Sweet Jesus" - refers to my user name ;-)

Everyone interested in this thread should check out the museum at the Oklahoma History Center - fire up some of those brain synapses that ain't fired in a while!

Oklahoma Historical Society Home

Check out the local music history there:

http://wimgo.com/events/39894/

Enjoy y'all!

[gen70]

I'm new here - wow - what a thread!

Lotsa memories. My intro: i'm a USGrant General - '70. Played drums in a few bands around - The Sound Pounders - Columbus Discovery - Galley amd many more thru out the years. Played the first KattWorld in a band called Free Freight.

i just came from the museum at the Oklahoma History Center. Saw Ronnie Kaye, Don Wallace, Danny Williams, Count Gregore, ?OKC Elvira? - Here's the promo -

KOMA, The Best Music of the 60's & 70's

"Experience "The Scene" with Ronnie Kaye live at the Oklahoma History Center Friday, September 4th. See performances by The 5 Americans, Jim Edgar & The Roadrunners, and the reunion of the group Uptown Syndicate."

Took a group pic with Ronnie & bands galore! Squatty & the Bodies, Wayne & the Beldettas, Continentals, FairWeather Forecast, MarblePhrogg, GraveRaiders, PurpleOsland - too many to recount...

Brewer of Brewer & Shipley sang too. (Remember the song "One *ok* over the line, Sweet Jesus" - refers to my user name ;-)

Everyone interested in this thread should check out the museum at the Oklahoma History Center - fire up some of those brain synapses that ain't fired in a while!

Oklahoma Historical Society Home

Check out the local music history there:

http://wimgo.com/events/39894/

Enjoy y'all!

Welcome...It's goog to see another 70 Grant grad here.

[Prunepicker]

Welcome... It's goog to see another 70 Grant grad here.

It's goog? Kinda early to be drinking LOL!

[papaOU]

It's goog? Kinda early to be drinking LOL!

Don't think it has anything to do with drinking............

Grant grad............

[gen70]

It's goog? Kinda early to be drinking LOL!

Funny.. I've seen you post some (shall we say..missed a key.. spellings)and didn't find it necessary to point it out. LOL!

[gen70]

Don't think it has anything to do with drinking............

Grant grad............

No..It..Don't..CHHS grad...LOL...

[papaOU]

No..It..Don't..CHHS grad...LOL...

O.K.

Drinking and Grant grad...LOL

[SOUTHSIDE GIRL]

I'm new here - wow - what a thread!

Lotsa memories. My intro: i'm a USGrant General - '70. Played drums in a few bands around - The Sound Pounders - Columbus Discovery - Galley amd many more thru out the years. Played the first KattWorld in a band called Free Freight.

i just came from the museum at the Oklahoma History Center. Saw Ronnie Kaye, Don Wallace, Danny Williams, Count Gregore, ?OKC Elvira? - Here's the promo -

KOMA, The Best Music of the 60's & 70's

"Experience "The Scene" with Ronnie Kaye live at the Oklahoma History Center Friday, September 4th. See performances by The 5 Americans, Jim Edgar & The Roadrunners, and the reunion of the group Uptown Syndicate."

Took a group pic with Ronnie & bands galore! Squatty & the Bodies, Wayne & the Beldettas, Continentals, FairWeather Forecast, MarblePhrogg, GraveRaiders, PurpleOsland - too many to recount...

Brewer of Brewer & Shipley sang too. (Remember the song "One *ok* over the line, Sweet Jesus" - refers to my user name ;-)

Everyone interested in this thread should check out the museum at the Oklahoma History Center - fire up some of those brain synapses that ain't fired in a while!

Oklahoma Historical Society Home

Check out the local music history there:

http://wimgo.com/events/39894/

Enjoy y'all!

Welcome,
Join us at Coits for our southside get-togethers. I heard Saturday Sept 26, at 1:30, is the next one.

[Prunepicker]

Southside OKC Memories
Get Together

Coit's Root Beer Drive-In
2500 S. Western
September 26, 1:30pm

Bring memories, memorabilia,
photos, yearbooks, etc...
E-mail Teri! After all, it's her fault we're all
getting together!

[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

[Redskins/General]

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

Only remember "Hey Little Girl" by Dee Clark!! But that was not a local song.....

[papaOU]

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.

The school on 27th and Penn is Columbus. SouthSide Girl went to elementary school at Heronville exclusively. Ist wife went to Rockwood all the way through.

[Oldieslover55]

Only remember "Hey Little Girl" by Dee Clark!! But that was not a local song.....

yeah i got that song - buckwheat was a rock song from the early 70's - thanks

[Oldieslover55]

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.

The school on 27th and Penn is Columbus. SouthSide Girl went to elementary school at Heronville exclusively. Ist wife went to Rockwood all the way through.

Columbus - guess i'll add that to my long list - thanks

[grantgeneral78]

Columbus - guess i'll add that to my long list - thanks

Yeah I went to Columbus myself in kindergarten, and 1st grade, we lived in the house just south of the school on the corner....good memories.

[TOWNHERO]

Reading the posts and hearing the names of some schools, being curious, does anyone remember or go to Garfield Elementary. It was on about S.W. 41st & Drexal. I went to school there from the 2 to the 6 grade. It's been closed for many years. It was torn down, then a couple of months ago I decided to drive by the old neighborhood and school and to my surprise, someone had built house where the school and playground existed. I think I was either in the 5th or 6th grade when it happened, but it burned one night. So for the last 7-8 months of school, we were bused to Heronville. I remember thinking that this school was big.

Does anyone remember YMCA baseball. I think it was the 4th grade and our team won the city championship. It was played behind the YMCA on N. Penn, north of Cassidy.

[Generals64]

Reading the posts and hearing the names of some schools, being curious, does anyone remember or go to Garfield Elementary. It was on about S.W. 41st & Drexal. I went to school there from the 2 to the 6 grade. It's been closed for many years. It was torn down, then a couple of months ago I decided to drive by the old neighborhood and school and to my surprise, someone had built house where the school and playground existed. I think I was either in the 5th or 6th grade when it happened, but it burned one night. So for the last 7-8 months of school, we were bused to Heronville. I remember thinking that this school was big.

Does anyone remember YMCA baseball. I think it was the 4th grade and our team won the city championship. It was played behind the YMCA on N. Penn, north of Cassidy.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remember Garfield very well....It used to be one of the Feeder Schools to Roosevelt. Arthur was my Grade school of Choice however.....

[TOWNHERO]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remember Garfield very well....It used to be one of the Feeder Schools to Roosevelt. Arthur was my Grade school of Choice however.....

Yes it was a feeder school to Roosevelt. I went to Roosevelt 7th, 8th and
9th grade.
Arthur is the school on Independence, south of S.W. 44th. I knew a few kids from Arthur. I played baseball and football with them. My first girlfriend was from Arthur. I played football with her older brother. LOL

[Generals64]

Yes it was a feeder school to Roosevelt. I went to Roosevelt 7th, 8th and
9th grade.
Arthur is the school on Independence, south of S.W. 44th. I knew a few kids from Arthur. I played baseball and football with them. My first girlfriend was from Arthur. I played football with her older brother. LOL

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I went to Arthur the first year it opened...I was in the 2nd Grade then from Arthur, I went to Grant 7th and 8th grade...Then the first year Roosevelt opened (fall of 1960) for the ninth Grade then back to Grant and graduated in 1964.....Never could figure where the mascot name (Titans) for Roosevelt came from......Where did you go to High School?????

[TOWNHERO]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I went to Arthur the first year it opened...I was in the 2nd Grade then from Arthur, I went to Grant 7th and 8th grade...Then the first year Roosevelt opened (fall of 1960) for the ninth Grade then back to Grant and graduated in 1964.....Never could figure where the mascot name (Titans) for Roosevelt came from......Where did you go to High School?????

I went to Capitol Hill and graduated in 70. My brother graduated from Grant in either 64 or 65.