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This area could be considered the cradle of Oklahoma City as it was nearest to the Santa Fe railroad station that brought the settlers in during the Land Run in 1889. The clearance of the convention center site included some of the oldest buildings in the city like the Buckhorn Saloon (1893) which historians at the time determined was the oldest building in the Downtown area and represented the last connection to the vice-ridden area known as Hell's Half Acre. Still, a newspaper editorial opined that, "Only the adventurous would miss the pawn shops, seedy hotels and pioneer Buckhorn Saloon."


Buckhorn Saloon Building, 1968

Building, Window, Black, Black-and-white

Buckhorn Saloon Building, 1968

Wheel, Tire, White, Automotive tire

Buckhorn Saloon Building, 1968

Car, Tire, Vehicle, Wheel

Buckhorn Saloon Building, 1968

Sky, Window, Black-and-white, Style

Buckhorn Saloon Building, 1968

Sky, Black, Black-and-white, Building

This area could be considered the cradle of Oklahoma City as it was nearest to the Santa Fe railroad station that brought the settlers in during the Land Run in 1889. The clearance of the convention center site included some of the oldest buildings in the city like the Buckhorn Saloon (1893) which historians at the time determined was the oldest building in the Downtown area and represented the last connection to the vice-ridden area known as Hell's Half Acre. Still, a newspaper editorial opined that, "Only the adventurous would miss the pawn shops, seedy hotels and pioneer Buckhorn Saloon."

Keil, Nancy. "Demolition Starts Sunday." Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City) December 6th, 1968. , North sec.22.

"Buckhorn Saloon Building Demolition Starts Monday." Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City) December 7th, 1968. .15.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

Metropolitan Library System Special Collections

Metropolitan Library System Special Collections

Metropolitan Library System Special Collections

Metropolitan Library System Special Collections

Metropolitan Library System Special Collections