History

In the 1920s a commercial niche formed along NW 16th Street between Blackwelder and Indiana Avenues. This development was in response to the area’s location at the end of the trolley line as well as the growth of neighborhoods around the district. With the addition of the Plaza Theatre in the mid-1930s, the area became known as the Plaza District.

Throughout the 1950s and 60s, the area remained economically viable holding neighborhood needs such as drugstores, cleaners and shopping. However, considerable changes occurred from the 1970s to the 1990s as the area began a slow and steady decline. Population demographics shifted, the commercial area diminished and crime rates rose.

Thankfully, neighborhood residents and volunteers stepped up to spearhead the Plaza District revitalization, and now the Plaza District Association continues to work to restore the area as a thriving district in Oklahoma City.

Source: plazadistrict.org