What did the inner NE side look like before Urban Renewal/I235 destroyed it?

[John_T]

Basically the entire area east of Santa Fe, South of NE 13th street, and North of 1st street was completely obliterated during Urban Renewal. From what I have read, and from some historic photos, there were some large, beautiful homes and even some mansions. Victorian homes, craftsmans, large prairie style and foursquare homes where in the area. It looked much like Mesta Park to me.

What would the neighborhood most likely be like today if it were intact, and maybe the highway were built somewhere else or not at all? Of course, there is some encroachment from the OU medical center, but most of the destruction is clearly around I-235

Just look at these photos to see how much was destroyed.
The first is from 1954, the second is 2013

[Ross MacLochness]

here is another comparrison of the same area I found on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Why_Do_We_Urban/...31916767985664



It's a real shame. 235 still serves as a huge barrier and wastes so much space. I think this is a road we will consider removing in the future.

[John_T]

Here are some pictures I found of the area that are now gone, and remind me of Heritage Hills and Mesta Part. What a shame

These don't have a specified address, help me identify them if you can


A view of NE Park and Stiles


NE 4th and Walnut


401 NE 12th

[Buffalo Bill]

Here are some pictures I found of the area that are now gone, and remind me of Heritage Hills and Mesta Part. What a shame

These don't have a specified address, help me identify them if you can


A view of NE Park and Stiles


NE 4th and Walnut


401 NE 12th

Well, they look like HH homes and Mesta Park homes because, for the most part, they are. The first picture is 710 NW 16th in Mesta. The next few are in Heritage Hills. This is evident by the photo title, which says, "Heritage Hills".

With regards to the original question, by the mid 70s they were predominantly burned out shells, flop houses and drug dens. I remember the Happy Foods at 10th and Walnut being anything but happy.

[John_T]

I don't recognize the Mediterranean style house, in the 4th photo. Is that one still standing?

[turnpup]

I don't recognize the Mediterranean style house, in the 4th photo. Is that one still standing?

If it is, I'm fairly certain it's not in HH.

[traxx]

Here are some pictures I found of the area that are now gone, and remind me of Heritage Hills and Mesta Part. What a shame

These don't have a specified address, help me identify them if you can


A view of NE Park and Stiles


NE 4th and Walnut


401 NE 12th

Ahhh, back when a home's face was dominated by front doors and front porches. Not like today where they're dominated by large, blank garage doors with a small, porchless front door tucked further back in a small cove of bushes. We come home, pull into our garages and close the door. And the design of our houses say "visitors not welcome."

[HangryHippo]

Hell, I wish we just still built neighborhoods that had those sidewalks and trees between the sidewalks and roads. That alone would do wonders for a LOT of neighborhoods.

[John_T]

More Pictures of Harrison-Walnut, one of OKC's oldest neighborhoods

Attachment 13514
Same House (or at least looks like it)
Attachment 13515

E. Park & Stiles
Attachment 13516

NE 11th & Geary


E 5th st


It may have looked a little run-down towards the end, but I've seen worse get rehabbed nicely