Vintage Coca Cola Sign free to a good home

[Pete]

You may recall that several of us conspired to save a really cool old Coke sign when we discovered a historic building being demolished on NE 4th.

Our admin, mmm, saved it in the hopes he could restore and display it somehow.

However, it's proven too big for him to accommodate and he is now moving on 11/30, so we need to find a good caretaker.


Ideally, it would be displayed in an area open to the public somewhere in OKC, like a restaurant / bar, art gallery or museum.

It's big... About 10 feet tall by 24 feet wide.


Please contact me or mmm if you have any interest. Also, any ideas of people to contact would be appreciated.



Flickr: Lynne's Lens' Photostream

[Pete]

Thus far, we've spoken to Chip Fudge about the Hart Building (won't work there) and I asked Keith Paul to speak to Aubrey McClendon about the Pop's in Bricktown.

Also, sent a message to the owner of Grandad's Bar.

[Martin]

just to clarify... the sign is free if it is to be displayed publicly. -M

[Steve]

Let's check in with Marva Ellard and Johnathan Russell... let me put out some checks

[Pete]

Thanks Steve.


Just sent this out on Facebook and Twitter as well.

There has to be a good place that would love to have this

[CaptDave]

How about the people developing The Rise on 23rd Street?

Hate to go here, but what about in The Underground? It would be safe from the elements at least.

Red Dirt Emporium?? (!!) That might be a great fit.

[Pete]

Just spoke to Greg Seal at Grandad's and they are interested.

For those who haven't see their space, it's very deep, with two long N/S walls -- plenty of space for this thing. (Note the awesome original tin ceiling.)


Not a done deal yet though, so keep the ideas coming.

[Steve]

That's not a bad outcome...

[kevinpate]

I think it would look great on the wall by the couch and gold chair.

[Urbanized]

That would be a great it. Perfect space or it. I've been there several times since it open a couple of weeks ago, my take on Greg is that he's good people, to boot.

Would have loved to host it at the Red Dirt Emporium - and gave it consideration at he time the building was demolished - but the ceiling is too low, at least in the current location.

[RadicalModerate]

Honestly: I'm LOVIN' this!!!
It's sort of like a real-life episode of "American Pickers" =)

Without reading all of the background--rather: only diggin' the great photos--I wondered what all of those little projections were then suddenly realized that they were brick ties! The art/sign was preserved by the "brick upgrade" that a former owner of the demolished building at one point thought was an upgrade to the property! (sort of like discovering an original hardwood floor under some cheap, crappy carpet =)

[Pete]

I wanted to paste information about the building here, so we could keep in one place.

Once the sign finds a good home, perhaps a plaque can be made describing the history:

Le'Ora's Beautye Salon

Located on NE 4th across a side street from the Jewel Theater sits the abandoned Le'Ora's Beautye Salon. Sadie Leora Hodge opened the salon in this location in 1944, and it soon became an important fixture in the African-American community of Deep Deuce.

Sadly, I haven't been able to find out a lot of information about Ms. Hodge -- not even an obituary -- in the Daily Oklahoman archives. It's like this whole community barely existed beyond its segregated borders. I know that there was a paper that was published in Deep Deuce -- will have to find its archives and do more research about Ms. Hodge, Percy James, Dr. Finley, and other important leaders in the community.

Anyway, I did find out that the salon was a polling place in the 60's, and Ms. Hodge was appointed to the Oklahoma Small Business Advisory Council in 1964. Being a woman and African-American, this appointment must have been quite an achievement at the time. The council was comprised of successful small business owners to help other small businesses get started and thrive.

I don't know how long the salon remained opened. It looks like it has been abandoned for quite awhile now. When I stood out in front of this abandoned storefront, I really felt the presence of all of the people who walked in through that creaky front door to sit down for a new 'do, sharing stories of their daily adventures, talking about their hopes and dreams. I could see Ms. Hodge laughing, giving sage advice, and drinking a Jay Kola in between snips.

Yes, Le'Ora's must have been quite a lively place indeed.

Here's a little history about the "six-box":

http://www.coca-colaconversations.co...08/10/cokes-ea...

I'm not sure, but I think that this might be the original carton design from the time they were first introduced in 1923. The cartons didn't stay yellow for long and were soon changed to the red you see to this day. So, that might date this ghost to the 20's....

This business is listed in the 1930 Oklahoma City business directory as F E Clemens, Grocer.

[Pete]

Original thread on this subject:

http://www.okctalk.com/other-urban-d...-building.html



Here is one of Will's photos that show the old brick wall that was covering the sign:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/william...7629320414320/

[Pete]

The only ad I could find for F E Clemens Grocer was this one from August 25, 1912 (!):

[Pete]

Interesting info on the owner of Le'Ora's:

Page 40:

[Pete]

Someone posted this idea on Facebook, although I hate the idea of the sign going to Cincinatti:

American Sign Museum

[Larry OKC]

Yes, it needs to stay in OKC. Grandads needs some vintage decor (may have some since that pic was taken). Another idea might be some of the restaurants in Bricktown...am thinking along the lines of Spaghetti Warehouse, Toby Keiths (though I don't think they have free wall space. maybe Durants new restaurant (but not sure if it will fit into what will most likely be a modern sports bar vibe). As a Coke collector I would absolutely love to have it but dont have the space to display it anywhere.

[Pete]

The owner of Grandad's is going to take a look on Wednesday.

I'm really hoping this works out because they have a perfect spot for it and it fits into their theme.


If they do end up installing it in the bar, I may donate a plaque that documents the history.

[kevinpate]

I hope that works out. It seems a real good combination when I try and vision it in my head.

[Urbanized]

Spoke with Greg about it the other night, and he's excited. Pete's right; he does have a perfect location in the bar.

[sooner88]

Before I read the most recent posts, Grandad's was the first place that came to mind, that would be a great fit.

[CaptDave]

Is this still around? If so I think the new Backyard BBQ place (beside Grandad's) might be interested. I have seen a few photos of the decor on their Facebook page.