I am an OKC enthusiast having lived there since the early 80's.
I currently live in Japan. I Oftentimes am homesick for my hometown.

Understand there were many historic buildings downtown building that
were torn down as a result of the "PEI PLAN."

I have been searching for various pictures of downtown to get a glimpse of
her history. Have found several from the 20's, 30's, 40's. However, have not

been able to find any from the about the 1950's-1970's. If you have some and
would not mind posting them, It would be greatly appreciated.

OkcJapan, there are plenty of such photos in http://www.retrometrookc.org/ as well as my own blog http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/. Also feel free to browse my photobook stuff at http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/

Years ago PBS/OETA developed a film that I believe was called, "The Oklahoma City I Remember." It included some great archival footage of the city as well as interviews with some older folks sharing their early memories. A quick search of the internet and I can't even seem to find a trace of it anywhere. Does anyone know if it has ever been released on DVD?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/55043200@N06/

I posted this about a month ago; the Biltmore coming down. Be sure to click through all of the photos to see them in large size.

There are many images available here as well. Click on the yellow dots on the map to see the images. http://www.okhistory.org/research/hillerman/index.php

visit the following sites:
www.impeiokc.com
www.retrometrookc.org
www.dougdawg.blogspot.com
www.okchistory.com

Years ago PBS/OETA developed a film that I believe was called, "The Oklahoma City I Remember." It included some great archival footage of the city as well as interviews with some older folks sharing their early memories. A quick search of the internet and I can't even seem to find a trace of it anywhere. Does anyone know if it has ever been released on DVD?

The best visual production and well done documentary I have ever seen on OKC...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/55043200@N06/

I posted this about a month ago; the Biltmore coming down. Be sure to click through all of the photos to see them in large size.

Great pictures...thanks for posting them...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/55043200@N06/

I posted this about a month ago; the Biltmore coming down. Be sure to click through all of the photos to see them in large size.

What was the white building just to the right of the Biltmore as it came down? Once down you can see the Colcord in the background so that isn't it.

what was the white building just to the right of the biltmore as it came down?

it was a motel called the tivoli. -M

edit: here's a link from doug's blog with some background info. (http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2007/03/downtown-hotels.html#Oklahoma Club)

..

Thanks to everyone for all the links. Really appreciate it.

I'm trying to track down some photos from the 1930's - 1940's of the Linwood neighborhood, especially ones with the trolley. I live at the end of the line and would love to see what it might have looked like, looking out my front door. Any help?

Postcard of OKC from The 70's with No Oklahoma Tower and(Sandridge) Kerr McGee under construction http://okchomesellers.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/OklahomaCitySkyline1972_thumb.jpg

And it has the Biltmore in it.

how tall was the biltmore??

how tall was the biltmore??

^^I dont know but it was a beautiful tower! http://www.cardcow.com/images/set361/card00793_fr.jpg maybe 2-300'ft tall?

i can only imagine how we could use it if it was still around today. Man, what were y'all old okc residents thinking?!!?!?!

i can only imagine how we could use it if it was still around today. Man, what were y'all old okc residents thinking?!!?!?!

According to those in the know, it couldn't be used today even if they wanted to. With low concrete ceilings it would never pass fire codes.

Would be cool if someone were to construct a modern Biltmore with a retro style.

Would be cool if someone were to construct a modern Biltmore with a retro style.

I tend to disagree.

You can build with elements that compliment the past but are still decidedly modern. I think building to mimic the past usually underwhelms in the end. If you fake it it just seems too obvious.

I like the new Rosewood court building in Dallas, it has a older look, but up to date, what do you guys think?
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/05-09/0506rosewoodSM.jpg

I tend to disagree.

You can build with elements that compliment the past but are still decidedly modern. I think building to mimic the past usually underwhelms in the end. If you fake it it just seems too obvious.

Half of Europe is 60 year old buildings built out of 400 year old rubble.

Would be cool if someone were to construct a modern Biltmore with a retro style.

I give you the current Skirvin Hotel.

It reminds me of the story about the old man that had an old shovel hanging in his garage. He told his grandchildren everything that shovel had done. It dug the sandbox the grandson's dad played in as a child. It shoveled snow from the blizzard in 1972. It shoveled mud from the flood in 1982. It planted the garden that helped the family in the winter of 1952. The grandson asked how the shovel could be that old and still be in such good condition. The old man replied that he replaced the handle three times and the spade twice.

Half of Europe is 60 year old buildings built out of 400 year old rubble.

That's actually a really interesting point. You are of course referring to the complete destruction that occurred in many European cities as a result of air raids during WWII. Just the other day I was looking at pictures of an iconic European site, I don't remember what it was now, and was thinking about how old it was when I saw a footnote saying it had been completely destroyed and then rebuilt with the same bricks/stones and was effectively 60 years old.

how tall was the biltmore??
I think about 80 meters (242 ft). Standart of height of floors for 1910-1940 is 2,8 to 3,2 meters for hotels. dmoor almost guessed:)

http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/assets/6602.jpg

I like the idea of bringing back what was lost...not exactly what was lost, but something better. Something like one of these...the "King and Queen" buildings from Sandy Springs, GA. Similar silhouette to the Biltmore. Could be a nice mixed-use 'scraper.

I think about 80 meters (242 ft). Standart of height of floors for 1910-1940 is 2,8 to 3,2 meters for hotels. dmoor almost guessed:)

Very good guess Sam...Emporis shows the Hotel Oklahoma aka Biltmore height at 75 meters ~ 246 feet.

http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/assets/6602.jpg

I like the idea of bringing back what was lost...not exactly what was lost, but something better. Something like one of these...the "King and Queen" buildings from Sandy Springs, GA. Similar silhouette to the Biltmore. Could be a nice mixed-use 'scraper.

Those look like your standard glass sided cookie-cutter high rises that you see all over downtown, Central Expressway, and north LBJ in Dallas. Las Colinas and Fort worth too. Not "better" to my eyes, but, to each his own.

Here are a couple of links to new construction and re-purposing that work really well as retro and vintage architecture.
http://west-7th.com/gallery.php?view=construction#media/1285700326.jpg
http://www.fwculture.com/montgomeryplaza.htm

West 7th Street in Fort Worth has really transformed itself in the last 5 years.