The area now known as Bricktown, just east of the downtown business district, was Oklahoma City’s first warehouse and distribution district. Founded just days after the Land Run of 1889, Bricktown was a central hub for the state and country, connecting via railroad, and later, major interstate highways. It was an area full of diverse activity, housing furniture and hardware stores, a biscuit company, a dairy, cotton producers, wholesale grocers and even a school.

Bricktown began to decline in the 1960s and 70s as Urban Renewal took hold and industry and residents began to move further out of the central city. The area became nearly vacant as buildings became dilapidated or were torn down.

After decades of decline, investors and other forward-thinkers started to show renewed interest in Bricktown. They purchased buildings, began renovations, recruited retail, restaurants, and attractions, and started to advocate publicly for the district.

With the passing of the Metropolitan Area Projects Initiative (MAPS) public facility enhancement project in 1993, Bricktown gained a baseball stadium, a canal with Water Taxi boats, river improvements as well as a nearby concert and sports arena.
Now a thriving urban entertainment district, Bricktown is home to more than 30 restaurants, many bars, clubs, and retail shops, along with family-friendly attractions, museums and galleries. Bricktown generates more sales tax revenue than any other single district in Oklahoma City, and is the gateway to our city for tourists, convention attendees, and day trippers from around the region.  (The prior text was reprinted from welcometobricktown.com  The pictures were taken by me with the assistance of two excellent Moscow Mules.  It’s a miracle I didn’t stumble into the canals)