Bricktown

By Steve Lackmeyer, Brent Brewer and Brett Brewer

Bricktown, once an area reserved for federal troops, was given to Oklahoma City for development in 1898. Brick warehouses originally were built along rail lines to house wholesale operations, but a half century later, the district was abandoned as industry moved farther away from the urban core. The forgotten warehouse district was rediscovered by Neal Horton, who started the movement of transforming the area in 1979. Jim Brewer carried out Horton's vision, enabling Bricktown to become a regional destination where historic preservation and modern entertainment would merge. Excursion boats traverse a modern man-made recreational canal built in 1999 that flows between century-old brick warehouses. Bricktown's restaurants, shops, and attractions have hosted some of the biggest names in politics and entertainment. The transformation continues with the opening of The Criterion concert hall in 2016 and the construction of more retail space and restaurants, 400 apartments, and several hotels.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
• Release date: Oct 10, 2016
• ISBN: 9781439657973

Steve Lackmeyer

Steve Lackmeyer is a reporter and columnist with the Oklahoman who has covered Bricktown for 20 years. He has authored six books, including Images of America: Bricktown. For his second Arcadia publication, he has gathered photographs from architects, developers, shop owners, the Oklahoma Publishing Company, the Oklahoma Historical Society, and his own private collection.

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INTRODUCTION

It started with a gunshot. Legally, there were no residents at all in Oklahoma City when gunshots rang out on April 22, 1889. The shots heralded what may be one of the most sudden births of a city in the history of mankind. The Oklahoma Land Run of 1889 offered hope and opportunity for anyone brave enough to stake their lots and gamble their fortunes that a great city would rise at Oklahoma Station. With a river flowing through it and ample rail access, this new city’s population quickly swelled to 10,000.

One area of this new city, however, was initially off limits. Troops from Fort Reno established an outpost east of the Santa Fe Railroad tracks. Once convinced that law and order had been established, the troops withdrew, making the area ripe for development. A decade after the land run, Congress instructed the city to plat the area and sell the properties with proceeds benefiting public schools. The deal also called for construction of a school and creation of a park along the North Canadian River.

The former outpost was fertile ground for industrial development. Wholesalers and distributors, many from Chicago, set up shop along the Santa Fe tracks early on. Rock Island tracks and Katy tracks formed the south and north borders to the city’s new wholesale district. Some industries flourished. Wholesale grocers like Williamson-Halsell-Fraser and Carroll, Brough & Robinson became major regional distributors. Oklahoma Sash & Door and the Federal Steam Company helped build the new city. The First State Ice Company kept the new city cool and also provided the critical element to ensuring wholesalers’ success. Households were furnished and maintained with goods from the Miller-Jackson Company and Oklahoma City Hardware. The Iten Biscuit Company put bread on families’ tables, while the Steffen’s dairy provided them with