12 Photos That Show Just How Much Oklahoma Has Changed… And How Much It Hasn’t

Do you love looking back at old photos of Oklahoma as much as I do? If so, take a look at these places around the Sooner State and see if you can recognize any of them. Some of them have completely changed, while others have relatively stayed the same. Take a look below!

1. Main Street, Tulsa - early 1930s

This photo is looking down south onto Main Street via the overpass from Hotel Brady.

2. Nowata - Date Unknown

Present day Nowata was incorporated in 1899. It was part of the Cherokee Nation in Indian Territory before statehood.

3. Kress, Oklahoma City - 1949

Kress was located at 218 West Main Street in OKC. They were the trading name of the chain of "five and dime" retail department stores. They were known for their beautiful architecture on many Main Streets in America.

4. Cozy Theater, Tulsa - 1942

The theater was located at 8 North Main Street in Tulsa. Did anyone every buy books from Terry's Used Books next to the theater? You can even see a glimpse of Hotel Brady on the southwest corner of Main & Archer.

5. Lake Eufaula - 1976

The dam was built under the supervision of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from 1956 to 1964. The initial investment was $121,262,000.

6. Maysville - 1935

The town of Maysville was previously known as Beef Creek in the late 1800s. The whole town moved in 1901 about one mile north after a new railroad depot opened.

7. The Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant, Oklahoma City - 1944

The building was constructed in 1916, and soon after Ford produced its first cars for regional distribution at this location in downtown OKC. Today, it is the 21C Museum Hotel at 900 West Main Street.

8. 4th Street & Denver, Tulsa - 1953

KRMG (Kerr-McGee) had its original studios at this location in Tulsa. The station moved to Liberty Towers in the late 1960s and the building was demolished in 1973.

9. Swartz Department Store, Oklahoma City - 1948

Doesn't this building have great architecture? Not many people remember this building. Did you ever shop at Swartz?

10. Carnegie Library, Guthrie - 1907

This picture took place during Statehood Day events and the inauguration of Governor Charles N. Haskell on November 16, 1907.

11. Cherokee National Capitol, Tahlequah - Date Unknown

Now known as the Cherokee Nation Courthouse, this tribal government building is located at 101 South Muskogee Avenue in Tahlequah. It was constructed in 1867 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1961.

12. Pryor - 1942

The small town of Pryor suffered extensive damage after an EF4 tornado swept through the business district of town and a few residential areas. Over 50 lives were lost and it took years to rebuild this close-knit community.

If you love old photos of Oklahoma, then you have to check out some of the oldest photos ever taken in the state.