Thunder Road (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunder_Road_(disambiguation)) is a popular alternative name for the OKC Boulevard. I like it better than any of my Ray Ackerman road name suggestions (The Big Friendly) or Oklahoma City Boulevard. It's apropos since our boulevard runs directly in front of Chesapeake Energy Arena.

But we have to convince Mayor Cornett, the city manager & the city council & I believe they've all already approved Oklahoma City Blvd. Maybe the owners of the Thunder will push the City Council to adopt the "Thunder Road" name. I hope the new boulevard will have a large tree-lined sidewalk in the center median like Boston Commonwealth Ave. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_Avenue,_Boston) or Barcelona's Las Ramblas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Rambla,_Barcelona).

I suggest that the sidewalk in the center median be embedded with bronze plaques commemorating famous Oklahomans. The sidewalk might be dubbed "the Oklahoma Walk of Fame". This will encourage people to walk the length of the Boulevard, like people do on Los Angeles's Hollywood Blvd (Hollywood Walk of Fame (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood_Walk_of_Fame)), to check out all the famous names.

Here's a link to a fun-loving video condensing the 1958 Robert Mitchum movie named Thunder Road: Thunder Road Song & Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdwUpxkfSJw) It's pretty cool.

What are your thoughts?

I don't like Oklahoma City Boulevard or Thunder Road. Both sound very generic. I'd prefer something like "Ellison Boulevard" after Ralph Ellison, but I fully expect something generic in the end.

Personally I think the Ray Ackerman Blvd. is an awesome name.

Yes, Thunder Road sounds good...not at all generic like Elm Street or Oklahoma City Blvd. Direct tie to a successful OKC entity and instant positive recognition for OKC.

I hate to make a downer note on this idea, but what if many years in the future the Thunder moved to another city? (perish the thought)

I hate to make a downer note on this idea, but what if many years in the future the Thunder moved to another city? (perish the thought) The city voted for "Thunder" because, in part, thunderstorms are so prevalent and deemed a part of Oklahoma (my guess)...it would still apply, NBA or not. BTW thought has been extinguished.

It's not a bad name, but it could also be better.

Color Me Badd Boulevard?
:wink:

but seriously... Ackerman Boulevard is the best suggestion so far, methinks

Thunder Road (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunder_Road_(disambiguation)) is a popular alternative name for the OKC Boulevard. I like it better than any of my Ray Ackerman road name suggestions (The Big Friendly) or Oklahoma City Boulevard. It's apropos since our boulevard runs directly in front of Chesapeake Energy Arena.

But we have to convince Mayor Cornett, the city manager & the city council & I believe they've all already approved Oklahoma City Blvd. Maybe the owners of the Thunder will push the City Council to adopt the "Thunder Road" name. I hope the new boulevard will have a large tree-lined sidewalk in the center median like Boston Commonwealth Ave. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_Avenue,_Boston) or Barcelona's Las Ramblas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Rambla,_Barcelona).

I suggest that the sidewalk in the center median be embedded with bronze plaques commemorating famous Oklahomans. The sidewalk might be dubbed "the Oklahoma Walk of Fame". This will encourage people to walk the length of the Boulevard, like people do on Los Angeles's Hollywood Blvd (Hollywood Walk of Fame (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood_Walk_of_Fame)), to check out all the famous names.

Here's a link to a fun-loving video condensing the 1958 Robert Mitchum movie named Thunder Road: Thunder Road Song & Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdwUpxkfSJw) It's pretty cool.

What are your thoughts?

My thoughts are can you stop creating threads whenever you come up with a new idea for the boulevard name?

Maybe Oklahoma City Boulevard isn't so bad after all.

thunder road? no

Someone please advise why we even need this boulevard no matter what the name.

The Big Friendly was Ackerman's suggested nickname for the city, not the boulevard. It is what we're known for besides the bombing and the dust bowl.

The Big Friendly was Ackerman's suggested nickname for the city, not the boulevard. It is what we're known for besides the bombing and the dust bowl.

...and the Thunder.

...and the Thunder.

"Bum Friendly Blvd" because that's who will be down there in the evenings after everything closes up. I can see the benches in the median full of bums already.

"Bum Friendly Blvd" because that's who will be down there in the evenings after everything closes up. I can see the benches in the median full of bums already.

We have to remain PC about this, and bum is not a PC term... I believe the appropriate term is "Shelter-impaired"...

My thoughts are can you stop creating threads whenever you come up with a new idea for the boulevard name?

Maybe Oklahoma City Boulevard isn't so bad after all.

Sorry if my multiple posts offend you. I've been off OKC Talk and Facebook for a couple of months & I'm just having a little fun. Look at a couple of posts I made in the Politics section the last couple of days. I sometimes think it is fun to rile the feathers of the tea party conservatives in OKC. At least I make them think. I know they believe they're right as much as I believe I'm right. We all have different preconceptions and opinions based on our backgrounds and education. We then assimilate what we're taught and believe - I reject a lot of teachings that other people accept as truth. As some of my employees used to tell me, you don't think like anyone else we know!

Actually, I would support Oklahoma City Boulevard in the blink of an eye. It's a distinguished name. But I know my 2 threads have generated a lot of suggestions and thought. We may be able to select an even better name. (I loved the Thunder Road (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdwUpxkfSJw) song as a young boy.) PS: Bruce Springsteen has a Thunder Road song, but I don't like it.


http://youtu.be/tdwUpxkfSJw

Originally Posted by hoyasooner in another thread:

"We've got Indians, weather, oil, buffalo, cowboy stuff, red dirt...

Hey, what if we called it Red Earth Blvd and had a bunch of Indian themed public art in the median and on the sides? Like sidewalks that had Indian markings and arrows and feathers engraved into them? Color the sidewalks so it looks like sandstone and there you go. I'm not aware of anywhere else in the world that has a street like that."

I think Red Earth Blvd sounds cool & the Native American theme would be a BIG tourist draw plus we could possibly extend our Red Earth Boulevard beyond I-35 to the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum (http://www.theamericanindiancenter.org/) (if we ever get it completed).

I kind of like Red Earth Blvd. It would substantiate one of our local cultural flavors.

Sorry if my multiple posts offend you. I've been off OKC Talk and Facebook for a couple of months & I'm just having a little fun. Look at a couple of posts I made in the Politics section the last couple of days. I sometimes think it is fun to rile the feathers of the tea party conservatives in OKC. At least I make them think. I know they believe they're right as much as I believe I'm right. We all have different preconceptions and opinions based on our backgrounds and education. We then assimilate what we're taught and believe - I reject a lot of teachings that other people accept as truth. As some of my employees used to tell me, you don't think like anyone else we know!



So you are a self-proclaimed troll? If they believe they are right and you believe you are right, riling them up for your own amusement is trolling.

So you are a self-proclaimed troll? If they believe they are right and you believe you are right, riling them up for your own amusement is trolling.

Just like Prunepicker posts multiple daily threads in the Politics section, it is his right to do so. He just opposes everyone and anything liberal or middle of the road. Sadly, you all probably agree with him. But he's also just having fun in trying to proselytize his ideas on us all.

I fall on the other side of the political spectrum. It is a little disquieting to call me out as a troll when posting traditional middle of the road/liberal views, even though a more selective posting on my part might be better. I hadn't posted ANYTHING for about 2 months and now that the election is approaching, I felt an obligation to God to post some pro-Keynesian posts (supporting taxing the top 2% of the wealthiest Americans).

I also thought Oklahoma City Boulevard was a less than perfect name & just wanted some new ideas and alternative suggestions to that name. Red Earth Boulevard with a Native American theme seems (to me) to be the best suggestion so far.

Finally, the person who creates a thread should have right to reply to any of the posts on that thread. Posting a thread makes a person feel both an ownership of the thread & an obligation to respond to those who agree or disagree.

Thunder Road sounds terrible, Thunder Avenue sounds better

Just like Prunepicker posts multiple daily threads in the Politics section, it is his right to do so. He just opposes everyone and anything liberal or middle of the road. Sadly, you all probably agree with him. But he's also just having fun in trying to proselytize his ideas on us all.

I fall on the other side of the political spectrum. It is a little disquieting to call me out as a troll when posting traditional middle of the road/liberal views, even though a more selective posting on my part might be better. I hadn't posted ANYTHING for about 2 months and now that the election is approaching, I felt an obligation to God to post some pro-Keynesian posts (supporting taxing the top 2% of the wealthiest Americans).

I also thought Oklahoma City Boulevard was a less than perfect name & just wanted some new ideas and alternative suggestions to that name. Red Earth Boulevard with a Native American theme seems (to me) to be the best suggestion so far.

Finally, the person who creates a thread should have right to reply to any of the posts on that thread. Posting a thread makes a person feel both an ownership of the thread & an obligation to respond to those who agree or disagree.
The difference between Prunepicker and you is you admit you do it for pleasure.

...I think Red Earth Blvd sounds cool & the Native American theme would be a BIG tourist draw plus we could possibly extend our Red Earth Boulevard beyond I-35 to the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum (http://www.theamericanindiancenter.org/) (if we ever get it completed).

I like the idea. The Council has already named it (but that doesn't mean they couldn't change it, same for the issue if it was called Thunder _____, and the Thunder relocated at some point in the future). But cheaper to do it now before the thing gets built, street signs made etc. Just like the Boulevard itself, better to get the design right before it is constructed.

I-40b

May be in the minority but I really like Thunder Road.

I personally like "Ackerman Boulevard," given the late Mr. Ackerman's work to improve the city.

However, one could argue that since the boulevard will follow the route of the former Stanley Draper Expressway (which was the old Crosstown's official name), "Draper Boulevard" could also be an appropriate name.

Maybe we should start a poll, I like the Red Earth suggestion.

Thunder Road is completely unimaginative and generic.

We've had numerous threads on this topic over the years; the name I like best is Redbud Avenue in nod of our state tree.i think it sounds elegant and stately.

That is the most simple and truest post I've ever read Metro.

... is completely unimaginative and generic.
...the name I like best is Redbud Avenue...
Whereas Redbud Avenue is completely imaginative or not generic? Like Elm Street, Maple Street, and Oak Ave?
Redbud is not a bad name, but don't try to sell it as completely imaginative or not generic.

Thunder Road and Red Earth are more imaginative and much less generic.

If it is named Thunder Road, will we have to pay royalties to Bruce Springsteen?

We could call it The Shiznit:

"So you've been down to the new boulevard? How is it?"
"Oh yeah man, it's great, its The Shiznit!"

:wink:

Why not just call it Boulevard?

Not THE Boulveard. Not A Boulevard. Not Boulevard Blvd. Just 'Boulevard'.

Whereas Redbud Avenue is completely imaginative or not generic? Like Elm Street, Maple Street, and Oak Ave?
Redbud is not a bad name, but don't try to sell it as completely imaginative or not generic.

Thunder Road and Red Earth are more imaginative and much less generic.

Fair enough, but they're not elegant, stately or world class. Thunder Road or Big Friendly sound like a kid named it. We want something that sounds prestigious and stately on a global level.

I could see Redbud Avenue if redbuds were planted all along it. Would be pretty spectacular during certain times of the year.

I could see Redbud Avenue if redbuds were planted all along it. Would be pretty spectacular during certain times of the year.Now that would look very nice...particularly at certain times of the year.

pshaw. Your mayor done went and got the name he wanted. Why would he back off it now?

I also would have preferred the blvd be named for someone of historical significance, or one of OKC's civic leaders or philanthropists (just not another Gaylord...).

I am not in favor of a street being named for a tree. Or a state. Roadrunner road. There's a name.

Ogle Avenue? LOL

Given the design, it should be Central Expressway.

Given the design, it should be Central Expressway.

There are many people working/hoping to change that. Hope to hear some good news from OKC staff and leadership soon.

If it is named Thunder Road, will we have to pay royalties to Bruce Springsteen?

No, long before Bruce Springsteen wrote his Thunder Road, was a song from 1958 called "The Ballad of Thunder Road", sung by the actor Robert Mitchum -- and Mitchum starred in the movie "Thunder Road". In post #17 on this thread I posted a link to the original song. I never heard of Springsteen's song until I looked up Thunder Road on YouTube. I now think Red Earth Boulevard or Red Earth Avenue sounds a lot better than Thunder Road & gives us a Native American theme to build the boulevard around. Nevertheless, here's a repost of the Thunder Road video -- to me, it's a really fun, classic video:


http://youtu.be/tdwUpxkfSJw

Ogle Avenue? LOL

Lost Ogle Avenue!

Thunder Road is completely unimaginative and generic.

We've had numerous threads on this topic over the years; the name I like best is Redbud Avenue in nod of our state tree.i think it sounds elegant and stately.

Outside of the political forum, it seems we can finally agree! Thunder Road is indeed unimaginative and a bit cheesy, considering it'd be an NBA franchise nod. I do like Red Earth Boulevard somewhat, but I wish there was some way you could emphasize the Red Earth concept but shorten it into something with fewer syllables, for the sake of aesthetics. Redbud Avenue sounds great, but I'm sure that they're intent on keeping this a boulevard. So in keeping with things that sound good before "boulevard", Redbud is still in the running.

Redbud Boulevard
Red Earth Boulevard
Roserock Boulevard
Ellison Boulevard (would do well to attract literati)
Bass Reeves Boulevard (the "most feared US marshal in the Indian country"), in keeping with our newfound open carry culture.
Quanah Parker Boulevard
Woody Guthrie Boulevard (if the Socialism doesn't scare away the Repubs)

I've hated Oklahoma City Boulevard since the beginning. As far as unimaginative names goes, this takes the cake. It's also too self-referential and self-congratulatory, and measures like this do little to make it appear that we have an organic, rather than a manufactured, culture.

But wait... inspiration beckons... a song suddenly fills my head...



Yankee Doodle went to town
Riding on a pony
Stuck a feather in his cap
And called it macaroni


That's it!!!

Macaroni Boulevard

It doesn't even need a name, it can be exit 57 on the west side and exit 61 on the east, or whatever the true mile markers are.

It doesn't even need a name, it can be exit 57 on the west side and exit 61 on the east, or whatever the true mile markers are.

Cause 'Exit 148D/151C/125E/1H' will look real nice on street signs at each intersection downtown.

Cause 'Exit 148D/151C/125E/1H' will look real nice on street signs at each intersection downtown.

Every town that is on the interstate system has an exit?? sign. When it gets into the town though, it turns into main street or 3rd street, etc......

+1 for Red Earth Blvd.

Oklahoma Blvd/Pkwy/Corridor

Billboard on The New! Improved! I-40:
(to replace "Stay At The Hotel Black we welcome you with open arms" way out there on Old Route 66/Highway62 back in the day . . .=)

FollowThe RedDirt Brick Road
we're not in kansas anymore
thank god (?) (picture of Dorothy and Toto . . . which witch? . . . hmmmm)

BTW: "ThunderRoad" was not generic (nor whateverelsewise). It was cool. Except for the Sonics.

In all honesty, my true feelings are back around Post #27 . . . He was a Ray of Sunlight into a pretty bleak area . . .

And thanks to the historian with the musicvideoklip featuring the star of the "original" ThunderRoad... I remember it well. Coolest song ever (no basketballsportsteaminginvolved) . . . about the time I purchased 409. The song by Robert Mitchum was way better than the cheesy black and white version of The Birth of a NASCAR . . . =)


Every town that is on the interstate system has an exit?? sign. When it gets into the town though, it turns into main street or 3rd street, etc......
(tru dat . . . MEAN STREET BLVD next right? sure hope not . . . =)

btw: that hole elevated (above pedestrianlevel) road plan for the as yet unnamed tribute to transportation needs to be reconsidered unless "the fix" is already in . . . =)

sorry . . . almost forgot (thread title): Thunder Road . . . . No.
plus kudos to Post #3.