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A Brief History of Oklahoma CityBy Art Gib The city of Oklahoma City is rich with history, beginning in 1889 as 'unassigned land' (Indian territory that had not been assigned to any one tribe), and becoming a part of the Union in 1907. Since then, the area has grown rich in economy and culture by renewing and improving much of its landscape, architecture, and entertainment. Before World War II, the new city continued to grow at a steady rate, doubling their population. On December 4, 1928, oil was discovered in the city with wells popping up everywhere, including the lawn of the capitol building. This sudden discovery allowed the region to really prosper, spreading throughout the state and accelerating the city's growth. While those who had made money during this early oil boom escaped the deadly grasps of the depression, the majority of Americans and Oklahomans weren't so lucky. By 1935, rural migrants and unemployed workers ended up living in a massive shantytown along the North Canadian River, humbled with disease and misery. The Second World War brought recovery to the nation, and especially to Oklahoma City, as it became a major hub in the national Interstate Highway System. While the city became a well-known sight of revolutionary civil rights tactics, it was also becoming involved in a controversial experiment called the Oklahoma City sonic boom tests. The tests only caused great damage to the city, causing a battle between the city's government and the Federal Aviation Administration. This problem was a simple beginning to a complex and significant decline in the city's growth. The 1960s continued to prove no hope for the region. Through the 1970s and 1980s, suburbanization had drained the life from the central business district and surrounding areas. The oil beneath the city was drying up, property values declined, and city leaders were running out of ideas. With failed attempts to build up the city's value, very little was done to improve the inner city or the central business during this time. By the 1990s, the city was in dire need of improvement; it was losing jobs, population, and even air carriers who wanted to arrive and depart from more attractive cities. A massive plan for capitol improvements pushed throughout Downtown, becoming known as the Metropolitan Area Projects, or MAPS. Because of this plan, enough money was raised to fund a new ballpark, canal, library, an indoor arena, renovations to the fairgrounds and civic center, and new low-water dams were put in on the North Canadian River to make it accessible to small boats. The people of Oklahoma City agreed to pass an 'urban renewal' plan, which eventually raised over 1 billion dollars for improvements to the city and bringing life back to the central city. As Oklahoma City moves throughout the 21st century, it continues to triumph over a brutal history. New hope has been restored, new jobs have been created (over 19,000), and new improvements continue to flood the city every day. About the author To become a part of this great city's history, and learn more about Oklahoma City real estate, visit Remax Oklahoma (http://remax-oklahoma.com/oklahoma-city-real-estate.aspx), and find a home that works for you. Art Gib is a freelance writer. |
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