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Fascinating Historical Photos Of Oklahoma City From 20th Century

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Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of Oklahoma state, first settled on April 22, 1889. After the Settlement, the population of the town doubled between 1890 and 1900. The city was initially developed as a distribution point for crops and cattle; large stockyards were built, which attracted people and jobs from other states. Meatpacking plants were established, and when the railroads arrived in the city, it doubled the trade. The first oil well in Oklahoma City was discovered in 1928, which significantly accelerated and expanded the economy, and at one time, about 1,400 wells were producing oil within the city limits. World War II brought several industries, Air Force base and the city became a significant hub in the national Interstate Highway System. In the 1970s, Patience Latting was elected as the first female mayor of Oklahoma City.

Here below are some interesting historical photos of old Oklahoma City form the early 20th century that shows street scenes, architecture, cityscapes, streetcars, and everyday life of people.

#1 Children of May Avenue camp pumping water from thirty-foot well which supplies about a dozen families, Oklahoma City, July 1939

Children of May Avenue camp pumping water from thirty-foot well which supplies about a dozen families, Oklahoma City, July 1939

8 Points
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#2 Railway workmen with handcar, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, February 1940

Railway workmen with handcar, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, February 1940

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#3 Boy living in camp near May Avenue, Oklahoma City, July 1939

Boy living in camp near May Avenue, Oklahoma City, July 1939

6 Points
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#4 Bed with roof over it in May Avenue camp, Oklahoma City, July 1939

Bed with roof over it in May Avenue camp, Oklahoma City, July 1939

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#5 Boy living in May Avenue camp with homemade ax, Oklahoma City, July 1939

Boy living in May Avenue camp with homemade ax, Oklahoma City, July 1939

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#6 Independent refinery, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, August 1939

Independent refinery, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, August 1939

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#7 The Derrick, roadhouse in Oklahoma City oil field, August 1939

The Derrick, roadhouse in Oklahoma City oil field, August 1939

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#8 Home and family of oil field roustabout in Oklahoma City, August 1939

Home and family of oil field roustabout in Oklahoma City, August 1939

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#9 Shack of family living in May Avenue camp, Oklahoma City, July 1939

Shack of family living in May Avenue camp, Oklahoma City, July 1939

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#10 Looking north on Broadway from Grand Avenue, Oklahoma City

Looking north on Broadway from Grand Avenue, Oklahoma City

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#11 Barns for Oklahoma City streetcars at Northwest 13th Street and Santa Fe Avenue, c. 1914

Barns for Oklahoma City streetcars at Northwest 13th Street and Santa Fe Avenue, c. 1914

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#12 Family in front of shack home, May Avenue camp, Oklahoma City, July 1939

Family in front of shack home, May Avenue camp, Oklahoma City, July 1939

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#14 Tent home of family living in community camp, Oklahoma City, July 1939

Tent home of family living in community camp, Oklahoma City, July 1939

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#15 Children taking bath in their home in May Avenue community camp, Oklahoma City, July 1939

Children taking bath in their home in May Avenue community camp, Oklahoma City, July 1939

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#16 Resident of May Avenue camp, Oklahoma City, July 1939

Resident of May Avenue camp, Oklahoma City, July 1939

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#17 Woman living in camp near May Avenue, Oklahoma City, July 1939

Woman living in camp near May Avenue, Oklahoma City, July 1939

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#18 Activity around station master’s shack. Streetcar terminal, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, July 1939

Activity around station master's shack. Streetcar terminal, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, July 1939

3 Points
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#19 Idle men attend the morning movies, Oklahoma City, June 1937

Idle men attend the morning movies, Oklahoma City, June 1937

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#20 Workshop of Sanitary Ice Cream Cone Co., 116 Street, Dewey Street, Oklahoma City, April 3, 1917

Workshop of Sanitary Ice Cream Cone Co., 116 Street, Dewey Street, Oklahoma City, April 3, 1917

3 Points
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#21 Tracks on South Walker Street crossing over the North Canadian River to Capitol Hill, c. 1912

Tracks on South Walker Street crossing over the North Canadian River to Capitol Hill, c. 1912

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#26 Shacks, tents, other makeshift shelter in May Avenue camp, which is partially under bridge and adjacent to city dump and hog wallow, Oklahoma City, July 1939

Shacks, tents, other makeshift shelter in May Avenue camp, which is partially under bridge and adjacent to city dump and hog wallow, Oklahoma City, July 1939

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#27 Children of May Avenue camp, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, July 1939

Children of May Avenue camp, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, July 1939

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#28 Manley Creasson [Creason], 914 West Sixth Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, March 15, 1917

Manley Creasson [Creason], 914 West Sixth Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, March 15, 1917

2 Points
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#29 Jack Ryan, 6-year-old newsie at 126½ West Reno Street, Oklahoma City, March 15, 1917

Jack Ryan, 6-year-old newsie at 126½ West Reno Street, Oklahoma City, March 15, 1917

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#30 Woman with children at streetcar terminal in Oklahoma City, July 1939

Woman with children at streetcar terminal in Oklahoma City, July 1939

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#31 Jack Ryan and Jesse Ryan at 1506 S. Robinson St, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, March 14, 1917

Jack Ryan and Jesse Ryan at 1506 S. Robinson St, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, March 14, 1917

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#32 Child living in Oklahoma City shacktown, August 1936

Child living in Oklahoma City shacktown, August 1936

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#33 Eleven-year-old bakery worker Glenn Dungey, Oklahoma City, April 1917

Eleven-year-old bakery worker Glenn Dungey, Oklahoma City, April 1917

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#34 Swipin’ coal from the freight yards, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. April 1917

Swipin’ coal from the freight yards, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. April 1917

2 Points
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#38 Tracks under construction on Broadway Avenue, Oklahoma City

Tracks under construction on Broadway Avenue, Oklahoma City

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#39 Initial trip of the first pay-as-you-enter car at the stockyards, Oklahoma City, November 18, 1910

Initial trip of the first pay-as-you-enter car at the stockyards, Oklahoma City, November 18, 1910

2 Points
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#47 El Reno streetcar Oklahoma Electric Railway Lines

El Reno streetcar Oklahoma Electric Railway Lines

2 Points
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#48 View of Moore, Oklahoma, taken from interurban car

View of Moore, Oklahoma, taken from interurban car

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#51 Terminal Station located on north Harvey Avenue, Oklahoma City

Terminal Station located on north Harvey Avenue, Oklahoma City

2 Points
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#52 Oklahoma Electric Railway Lines Collection, OHS).

Oklahoma Electric Railway Lines Collection, OHS).

2 Points
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#54 Negro drinking at ‘colored’ water cooler in Oklahoma City streetcar terminal, July 1939

Negro drinking at 'colored' water cooler in Oklahoma City streetcar terminal, July 1939

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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