Urban exploration?

[ShelbyF]

Looking for a good, easy to access place to explore with a small group of friends. I live in the northwest part of the city and would like a drive not much longer than 30 min.

[OKCisOK4me]

If you're thinking of nature and you haven't already checked it out, you may want to go to Martin Park Nature Center.

https://www.okc.gov/parks/martin_park/index.html

But if you're looking more urban, yet still nature oriented, then you need to go down to the Oklahoma River to the Boathouse District. They have day passes or season passes available and the season pass is a steal from what I can see.

Okc Riversport « Boathouse District

Is there another type of urban exploration you're looking for? The latter of the two above will probably be more fun. I wish I had friends that would want to do the above as compared to sitting in a bar drinking and smoking...

[Fantastic]

Usually when talking about Urban Exploration... someone is referring to exploring abandoned, neglected or unused properties (usually all three). This is something that my wife is wanting to get into, but one must proceed with caution... this type of exploration can often be considered trespassing or even breaking and entering if there is no convenient, pre-existing means of entry...

[ShelbyF]

Usually when talking about Urban Exploration... someone is referring to exploring abandoned, neglected or unused properties (usually all three). This is something that my wife is wanting to get into, but one must proceed with caution... this type of exploration can often be considered trespassing or even breaking and entering if there is no convenient, pre-existing means of entry...

I am aware of the risks...just wanted some ideas on where to go

[ShelbyF]

I am well aware of the risks and was just wanting to know of any decent locations.

[Pete]

Check out this site for some ideas:

Abandoned Oklahoma | Preserving Oklahoma's Past

Some that may be of particular interest:

The Walcourt REVISITED | Abandoned Oklahoma

Page Woodson REVISITED | Abandoned Oklahoma

[ShelbyF]

Check out this site for some ideas:

Abandoned Oklahoma | Preserving Oklahoma's Past

Some that may be of particular interest:

The Walcourt REVISITED | Abandoned Oklahoma

Page Woodson REVISITED | Abandoned Oklahoma

I have seen that site before but was wondering if anybody had places that arent listed or if anybody had hints on which places are better

[Achilleslastand]

Ive heard the Guthrie Boys home and the Guthrie mem hospital are great for exploring.
Just dont get caught as youll proabably do a night in the pokey.

[OKCisOK4me]

You could check out the old Townley Milk plant just east of Grand Boulevard at the intersection of SE 5th & Eckroat St. (at your own risk, of course).

Ive heard the Guthrie Boys home and the Guthrie mem hospital are great for exploring.
Just dont get caught as youll proabably do a night in the pokey.

The orphanage? That was turned into The Dominion House a long time ago. People use it for weddings all the time.

[ShelbyF]

Right along the railroad tracks in Deep Deuce there is some fun poking to be done. Especially by 5th. A couple older buildings that are neat to check out.

Any idea what they used to be?

[Mel]

I got to explore the Scottish Rites Masonic Temple in Guthrie once. Fantastic and beautiful building to explore. The basement was a wowzer. Office equipment from the 1800's and a HUGE cabinet with wills from Mason's from way before statehood. I did not take or hurt anything but I do wish I would have had a phone with a camera. Now a days it's hard to get permission to explore.

[ShelbyF]

You could check out the old Townley Milk plant just east of Grand Boulevard at the intersection of SE 5th & Eckroat St. (at your own risk, of course).



The orphanage? That was turned into The Dominion House a long time ago. People use it for weddings all the time.

the milk place sounds interesting

[Pete]

Union Station is being partially used as offices and you can go by there during business hours and if you ask nicely, they'll allow you to poke around.

It's an amazing building with lots of historic photos. It's like a living history museum that no one knows about.

[ShelbyF]

thats a cool place and not to far from my uncles shop...

[RadicalModerate]

Not local . . . but here is a group that takes "Urban Exploration" really seriously. (or at least used to)
Action Squad - Minneapolis Urban Adventurers

[ShelbyF]

Any other places? Would really like warehouses,powerplants or the like. I know they ate dangerous but they have the best places for pics.

[ShelbyF]

Anything guys? Really anything within 45 mindrive

[Mel]

I can't think of any places now that wouldn't get you busted for trespassing. Liability, vandalism, and squatting have made it very hard for the true urban explorer.

[Romulack]

Griffin Hospital in Norman.
Griffen Memorial Hospital - a set on Flickr

[ShelbyF]

Hmmm is the big factory place still there just outside of guthrie?

[kevinpate]

Griffin Hospital in Norman.
Griffen Memorial Hospital - a set on Flickr

You couldn't pay me to step foot in the old church on the grounds, and I imagine security would wrap up anyone fairly fast if they tried to enter sans permission. Structurally unsafe if memory serves, and I wouldn't want to speculate on critter activity and droppings levels (although the little fox that went in and out always seemed to be rather spry.)

The eastern wing of Hope Hall was converted from patient ward to office space in 2002-03, and had been old storage for some time before the conversion. It was used several years by a state agency, until about 2011ish, when the agency moved to the former Vista Building in DT Norman. I do not recall what was in the western multi story structure that adjoined Hope, if anything. The agency did not have access to the space. I think most of the other Griffin structures may still be occupied.

I enjoyed Hope Hall for a few years. There was something slightly off, yet somehow not really inappropriate, about scooping up a band of public defender type souls and relocating them from a campus based environment to the old mental health hospital grounds, and placing them in old patient rooms that only locked from the outside, in a building called Hope Hall. One could say the staff weren't simply dedicated, but committed.

Anyhow, the security folks there also patrolled Hope Hall when the agency was there. Nice folk, but also rather no nonsense folk. I have no reason to believe they would be less vigilant today than they were back then.

[ShelbyF]

why is it all the cool places have so much security?

[kevinpate]

why is it all the cool places have so much security?

three words .... "attractive nuisance" & liability

[ShelbyF]

So true...but for real does anyone know of anything? I will try and get permission before entering though.

[ShelbyF]

very true...