Whatever Happened To …
(Oklahoma City: Home to the first parking meter. Yes, it really might be fun to brag about this to visitors)
So many things pass us by at such a rapid speed, sometimes you wonder what happened to some ideas that at first glance didn’t look that bad.
Example: a couple of years ago folks were talking about the old steam train locomotive engine on display for years at State Fair Park. I believe it belongs to the city or to the fair trust, and at one point locals worried the state fair was going to unload it as part of a massive dumping of its other historic displays.
Wouldn’t it be great, some asked, if it could be displayed in Bricktown? The more I’ve researched Bricktown’s history, it’s difficult to hear an argument against it. The cost, it seems, would be minimal (the cost of moving it) and it would likely be a great addition to the area.
Or here’s another – a walk of fame that dates back to the early days of online community forums. Again, this was proposed for Bricktown.
Yet another: the rescue of historic downtown artifacts from Ford Park. What’s that you say – you’ve never heard of the artifacts or Ford Park? That’s the problem.
And more: an antique car display (or maybe some sort of sculptures) along Automobile Alley that would really showcase its bragging rights as the original auto dealers row.
More you ask? Yep. I remember talk of installing a copy of the original parking meter with at the place where the first meter was installed (near Park and Robinson) with a plaque explaining its history.
More, more, more…
Johnson Associates indicated it would have the gristmill from the first canal (1889) placed with a plaque by the playground that Boldt Construction contributed to the city at the northern end of the Bricktown Canal. It never happened.
Another idea discussed, but never realized: placement of the grand columns from the old Huckins Hotel in Bricktown. They’re out in a field by the airport last I checked.
Anything else to add?
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Comments
Those are some great ideas… i also think maybe doing something about Wheeler Park and maybe Ford Park and putting the remains near the spot where the buildin stood with a picture and plaque to tell about the building… I like the idea for the old cars and the train… there could be a nice train museum for Bricktown because of, from your Bricktown book Steve, the railroad played a very important part to the history of Bricktown.
There are some great ideas in there, and none seem cost prohibitive. I really like the classic car displays along Automobile Alley. Perhaps the locomotive could be placed in the “central park” near Union Station?