OK oldtimers, questions about Highley Wildwood, neighborhood close to Sleep Hollow

[RadicalModerate]

I'll bet someone wasn't very happy with Urban Spawl Vehicular Transportation Systems . . .
I guess even a Braniff couldn't yell NIMBY loud enough to make a difference. =)

Here's the layout of the [former] Mystery Castle:



As a former roof framing specialist I would love to have been handed this and asked to "put a roof on it" . . .
(now I settle for Sudoku)

[Pete]

Here's an aerial of the Braniff Estate from 1954:

[biznesschic1959]

Where was the Braniff estate? All I can find is that it was at 63rd and Grand blvd, but as I child, I never was it. What happened to it?

[Pete]

Where was the Braniff estate? All I can find is that it was at 63rd and Grand blvd, but as I child, I never was it. What happened to it?

See photo just above your last post and this post as well: http://www.okctalk.com/ask-anything-...tml#post598925



This is the the property today; the old mansion was torn down and now there is a new one (north side of I-44 just north of Lincoln intersection):

[Buffalo Bill]

Pete,

The property shown was built in 1935, hardly new. There used to be 2 properties, the one that exists, and one that was where the "S" curve is on the NE Expressway street. The Lincoln interchange was moved a hundred feet or so to the west from where it was in the 1954 aerial photo. Lincoln is at the half mile point (quarter section line) between Santa Fe and Kelley. You can see the old 160 acre tracts in older maps.

[Pete]

But wasn't the main house the one that was very close to what is now I-44 & Lincoln?

And wasn't the structure that is there now several times the size of the old, smaller house -- as in it's been added to dramatically and extensively remodeled?

[MustangGT]

In the 1954 picture above the Braniff Mansion is barely visible on the lower left corner of the picture. In the color version it is just north of the dip in the frontage road where the words NE Expressway St are printed. Yes Pete the house to the east that is still there has been enlarged/remodled more than once as I recall.

In the early to mid 80's there were still remnants of the foundation and some of the building stones. In the 1954 picture there is also a house visible to the right hand side of the frame. It too has been gone for decades.

[biznesschic1959]

In the 1954 picture above the Braniff Mansion is barely visible on the lower left corner of the picture. In the color version it is just north of the dip in the frontage road where the words NE Expressway St are printed. Yes Pete the house to the east that is still there has been enlarged/remodled more than once as I recall.

In the early to mid 80's there were still remnants of the foundation and some of the building stones. In the 1954 picture there is also a house visible to the right hand side of the frame. It too has been gone for decades.

Thanks guys. Now another question. Seem as if there was a mansion on around 65th and Kelly ave, that housed the OKlahoma national guard. The building in no longer there, however, I believe the national guard barracks still remains. If this is true, they would have been neighbors to the NE of the Everest mansion. The neighborhood is called Ravenhood, which could have possibly been the name of the estate. Am I right, or is my old brain playing tricks on me?

[Pete]

This is another aerial from 1969... The intersection is 63rd & Kelly and you can see a large house on the NE corner; currently, there is a national guard training center at that location:

[MustangGT]

Thanks guys. Now another question. Seem as if there was a mansion on around 65th and Kelly ave, that housed the OKlahoma national guard. The building in no longer there, however, I believe the national guard barracks still remains. If this is true, they would have been neighbors to the NE of the Everest mansion. The neighborhood is called Ravenhood, which could have possibly been the name of the estate. Am I right, or is my old brain playing tricks on me?

There was on old mansion at that location. However the National Guard facility surrounded and then swallowed it up several years ago. It is long gone.

[Tritone]

Neat info from some knowledgable folks. Let's get back to the house Radical Moderate mentions in post #16. I wondered about it as a kid and this whole thread about the Highley place got me thinkng about it again. Anyone have any info about it?

[RadicalModerate]

Neat info from some knowledgable folks. Let's get back to the house Radical Moderate mentions in post #16. I wondered about it as a kid and this whole thread about the Highley place got me thinkng about it again. Anyone have any info about it?

Turns out that the vaguely remembered stucture referred to in Post #16 and that I actually saw at one point a long time ago was the former "stables across the ravine" referred to in Posts >#16. =)

Still . . . I wonder about the sort of man who--although NEVER MAYOR OF OKC--managed to scrape together enough money into a pile big enough to build that magnificent structure (in the Depression/DustBowl days). The only thing I've been able to dredge up is that he was a lawyer, was co-author of a book of "forms on how to plead in court in Oklahoma", and had a bunch of kids some of whom apparently prosperty outside of the former I.T. =)

[UncleCyrus]

Perhaps some of us can meet up at Leo's BBQ, (If it is still there), and talk about old times.

Well, I'm not really an old-timer, but I would love to sit in on this conversation. I live in NE OKC and have always been interested in the unique history of many of these neighborhoods.

[biznesschic1959]

Turns out that the vaguely remembered stucture referred to in Post #16 and that I actually saw at one point a long time ago was the former "stables across the ravine" referred to in Posts >#16. =)

Still . . . I wonder about the sort of man who--although NEVER MAYOR OF OKC--managed to scrape together enough money into a pile big enough to build that magnificent structure (in the Depression/DustBowl days). The only thing I've been able to dredge up is that he was a lawyer, was co-author of a book of "forms on how to plead in court in Oklahoma", and had a bunch of kids some of whom apparently prosperty outside of the former I.T. =)

That side of town was the country in the 20's and 30's. These rich people had town houses downtown for business, while they spent weekends at their country estates. NE Oklahoma city was rich with dairy farms and land. I would like to write a book.

[biznesschic1959]

I will visit in the spring. Will try to get those who are responsible for this site to join in.

[biznesschic1959]

That area was a stopping place along route 66, along with the Katy trail railroad, and deep fork creek, so it made sense that it would be a dairy farm haven. Land in the "country" would have been cheaper than building closer to downtown Oklahoma City, in Heritage Hills. Also, I am finding that immigrant Catholics founded that area, along with Forest Park. They would have attended Corpus Christi church, on 16th and Kelley.

[Pete]

That side of town was the country in the 20's and 30's. These rich people had town houses downtown for business, while they spent weekends at their country estates. NE Oklahoma city was rich with dairy farms and land. I would like to write a book.

That would be an awesome project.

If you proceed, please keep us posted. Lots of people here could help with your research.

[RadicalModerate]

A few years ago, I ran into a fellow and his wife who said that they were remodeling and restoring a house that they "discovered" on north Kelley, between Britton Road and Hefner. They said it was a massive mansion that was hidden and overgrown with trees, bushes, weeds and so forth to the point where you could barely see it from the road although it was set back only a relatively short distance from the pavement. I was intrigued and at some point took a little detour down Kelley to see what they were talking about.

I was impressed.

The recent discussion of the Mont F. Highley Castle in the Wildewood area, at the end of the street bearing his name, prompted me to try to find out something about this re-discovered treasure on Kelley. From the Assessor's website I was able to learn that the house is over 5,500 square feet and was built in 1918! Imagine a residence of that size being constructed that far out in the country at that early a date in our state's history. I might note here that It is very possible that it didn't start out that big but may have been added onto several times over the years.

In any case, the available records for 9915 N. Kelley Ave. show that the primary owner of the place was a Bertrand Ray Worsham who seems to have been a highly regarded, local, MD (psychiatrist) and Naval Reserve officer who seems to have practiced his medical profession at that address. I am sure that he and his family had nothing to do with the orginal construction of the residence as they didn't move to Oklahoma until the 1930's.

I mentioned that this address was far out in the country in 1918 but it would have been a short ride or drive to the town of Britton so perhaps my perspective is a bit skewed. In addition to that, this particular stretch of Kelley Ave. was apparently part of the original path of Route 66.

I guess my question here is: Who originally built this place? My limited researching abilities and resources--rather than laziness--are the reasons I ask that question.

Btw: Here is the basic footprint of the 2-story, "Georgian?", structure.

[biznesschic1959]

A few years ago, I ran into a fellow and his wife who said that they were remodeling and restoring a house that they "discovered" on north Kelley, between Britton Road and Hefner. They said it was a massive mansion that was hidden and overgrown with trees, bushes, weeds and so forth to the point where you could barely see it from the road although it was set back only a relatively short distance from the pavement. I was intrigued and at some point took a little detour down Kelley to see what they were talking about.

I was impressed.

The recent discussion of the Mont F. Highley Castle in the Wildewood area, at the end of the street bearing his name, prompted me to try to find out something about this re-discovered treasure on Kelley. From the Assessor's website I was able to learn that the house is over 5,500 square feet and was built in 1918! Imagine a residence of that size being constructed that far out in the country at that early a date in our state's history. I might note here that It is very possible that it didn't start out that big but may have been added onto several times over the years.

In any case, the available records for 9915 N. Kelley Ave. show that the primary owner of the place was a Bertrand Ray Worsham who seems to have been a highly regarded, local, MD (psychiatrist) and Naval Reserve officer who seems to have practiced his medical profession at that address. I am sure that he and his family had nothing to do with the orginal construction of the residence as they didn't move to Oklahoma until the 1930's.

I mentioned that this address was far out in the country in 1918 but it would have been a short ride or drive to the town of Britton so perhaps my perspective is a bit skewed. In addition to that, this particular stretch of Kelley Ave. was apparently part of the original path of Route 66.

I guess my question here is: Who originally built this place? My limited researching abilities and resources--rather than laziness--are the reasons I ask that question.

Btw: Here is the basic footprint of the 2-story, "Georgian?", structure.

Passed that house many times on the way to Central State University--(I know) I am old. That area was all farm land, even a couple of blocks from the university. I would be interested to know if there are any creeks or ponds in the area, as it would have been difficult to farm in 1918 without a water supply. I will try to use my resources to find more info.

[biznesschic1959]

Passed that house many times on the way to Central State University--(I know) I am old. That area was all farm land, even a couple of blocks from the university. I would be interested to know if there are any creeks or ponds in the area, as it would have been difficult to farm in 1918 without a water supply. I will try to use my resources to find more info.

There is a plaque outside on the columns that says "White Rose Hall". An area view looks like it is indeed old farm land, or perhaps an old Inn of some sort.

[oliver_delaney]

This was the home of the President for Midwest Christian College when the college existed (It is now the National Guard). It was a magnificant home in the 1930/40 with a large basement fully handpainted by an Indian depecting the opening of these lands. The homw was extensively modernized in the 1980/90

[biznesschic1959]

This was the home of the President for Midwest Christian College when the college existed (It is now the National Guard). It was a magnificant home in the 1930/40 with a large basement fully handpainted by an Indian depecting the opening of these lands. The homw was extensively modernized in the 1980/90

I believe you have answered 2 questions. I remember a large house on 63rd& Kelly (National guard) Was it once a college? It would make sense that the home approx 3 miles away, would be the home of the president. Where can I find the old pictures of both properties?

[RadicalModerate]

Midwest Christian college did, indeed, used to be located on the property comprising the NE Corner of Kelley and 63rd prior to its closing/consoladating with the primary location in Joplin, MO. I have to surmise that "the home referred to by Mr. Delany is the one visible in the aerial photograph of that intersection rather than the one further north between Britton and Kelley. In addition to that, tax records show clearly that Bertram Ray Worsham (the psychiatrist) was living and working out of the location at 9915 N. Kelley prior to his passing (and the two most recent sales of the property). P.S. Googling "White Rose Hall" mostly comes back with stories about "The White Witch of Rose Hall" in Jamaica! The strange thing is, the architectural styles of the two dwellings are eerily similar! =)

(Love this sort of stuff . . . Thanks, again, for starting the thread!)

[RadicalModerate]

I just received a private message from someone connected with the Worsham family who for some reason is experiencing some difficulty posting on the forum. (I remember that when I first began contributing, I had a similar problem but it ironed itself out.) In any case, it turns out that most of my "imaginary extrapolations" regarding the fascinating property on N. Kelley--based, in part, upon some Googling and a visit to the County Assessor's Website are far from accurate. The house was remodeled into a mansion in about 1966. Before that it was apparently just a farmhouse on an old farmstead. This would have been the building constructed in 1918. The White Rose Hall plaque next to the gate refers to a White Rose Hall that is in England and which provided the inspiration for the remodeling project in the mid-'60s.

I want to say that I appreciate the fact that this person took the time to set the record straight and to suggest that he or she might want to PM Pete to figure out what the cause of the posting problem might be.

p.s. Trivia: The search function in here actually does work fairly well. After a couple of fruitless attempts to locate this link, referred to in the PM I received, I simply entered 9915 in the search box and it went almost straight to this relatively ancient thread. =)

[Mike15928]

This place address is 5701 Highley dr. It was once part of a farm, and was built in 1937. Love your site.

Hi! I stumbled upon this thread when I was trying to Google Red Rock Manor. I grew up there from 1976-1981. My parents owned the house from the early 70's to around 81 when we moved. I loved that house. My brother has more memories of it, I was only 5 when we moved out. It had a ton of hiding places and secret panels that had to be opened with a wire hanger and even a secret tunnel that went out from the basement to a pond in the backyard. My aunt and uncle lived in the carriage house that was located across the creek from us. (down the hill) My dad had it converted into a house so they could live there. She lived there up until the early 2000's when she sold it. By that time I was married and really wished my wife and I had purchased it. It was auctioned off for a really low price. I believe that when my parents sold the house it was sold to the Lt. Gov of Oklahoma. I'd love to answer any questions you might have. I remember quite a bit about the house. Because my aunt lived there for so long after us, she has gotten to know all the owners over the years. About 10 years ago, she arranged with the new owners to allow my family to tour the house. Not much has changed. In fact, the new owners new about some of the secret hidden places but my dad helped to show them a few that they didn't know about. At the time we lived there, it even had an elevator in it. I believe it still did. Anyways, I'm happy to answer any questions anyone may have about RRM. Although, there was some pretty good information in this thread about the house.