Visions of OKC
Photo discoveries may spark new round of preservation
Thousands of vintage photos, many from The Oklahoman Archives, have hit the Oklahoma Historical Society website.
Thousands of new vintage Oklahoma City photos and slides have hit the Gateway archive at the Oklahoma Historical Society website, giving local history buffs a chance to discover new stories and views of a city that has been extensively photographed since it was settled by 10,000 people on April 22, 1889.
On social media, visitors to the history website have been giddy with the discoveries they’ve made among 17,000 newly posted images of Oklahoma City from The
Oklahoman Archives
Collection.
Archivist Rachel Mosmon has been a part of this conversation, posting her favorite discoveries and sharing stories. The Oklahoman collection coincides with scanning of the collection of midcentury photographer Bob Duncan and a handful of mid20th century color slides
of downtown believed to have been taken by a photographer with the Oklahoma Historical Society.
With the cuts in state funding to the agency, it’s impressive the work of digitizing and sharing of our history has been able to continue. And while the photos are proving to be fun and educational, they often are also critical to redevelopment of historic buildings.
History center photos have assisted in redevelopment of the Skirvin Hilton, First National Center and several buildings in Midtown, Automobile Alley and Bricktown. In some cases, the photos are sought out simply to come up with the most authentic restoration plans.
We’ve also seen photos provide a guide to finding original architecture hidden for decades under “modern” facades added in the 1960s and 1970s. Such was the case with Jonathan Russell’s Rise development, where years of muck and paint were removed from a 1930s era brick building that is now home to Pizzeria Gusto at NW 23 and Walker Avenue.
Redevelopment of historic buildings is almost impossible without the assistance of state and federal historic tax credits. Developers wanting such help go through stringent review by the State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service.
A case must be made for placing the building on the National Register of Historic Places. And photos are almost always required to show the original historic facade and guide all involved as to how best pursue a true preservation.
The 1919 School Board Building in Deep Deuce, once threatened with an addition that would have covered up the structure’s historic facade, is set to see its facade restored by its new owners.
The front steps, however, were destroyed by the prior owner. Thanks to a scan by Mosmon’s archive office, a long search uncovered a 1960s-era photo that provides the evidence needed for the tax credit and restoration of the building to its original appearance.
The thousands of new images may very well make the difference in other historic structures surviving the wrecking ball and attracting the sort of developers who will keep our city’s history alive.