History in the Eyes of the Beholder?
The Oklahoma River at Regatta Park - photo from www.dougdawg.blogspot.com
Apparently I’m being taken to task for writing last week that the Oklahoma River (then known as the North Canadian River) was an embarrassment to city residents before improvements were made as part of the original MAPS program.
An early day photo of a North Canadian River crossing south of downtown.
Except the river south of downtown was anything but a broad flood plain with seasonal water flow, nor was it in its native state in the years following World War II through the 1990s. A Corps of Engineers flood-control project in the 1950s ensured against that. The Corps straightened the river, lined it with rocks, and designed it to drain as quickly as possible.
Mark Klett (American, b. 1952) Canadian River near Wiley Post Park, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, July 1991 Gelatin silver print, image/sheet: 16 x 20 in. (40.64 x 50.8 cm) Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Purchase, 1991.065 © Mark Klett
The river, prior to MAPS, was frequently referred to as an embarrassment and a ditch. I’m sticking to my story.
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Comments
I remember the notion that it was a “river” that frequently needed mowing. I’m familiar with the early pictures of the river and its subsequent reduction to an unnatural drainage ditch.
What a nice improvement the river development has been.
I’m wondering how old Mr. Christian is? Thankfully, there’s a new generation that has little memory of what Oklahoma City was like 20 years ago.
Good reporting, Steve. Looks like history, and the facts, support your story.