Historic Guthrie, Oklahoma

In the late 1800s and early 1900s America was in an age of growth and prosperity.

In 1899, ten thousand new settlers participated in a land rush that provided them with land for raising livestock and growing crops. Cities sprang up in order to provide these new settlers with opportunities to trade and purchase goods to support themselves.

The town of Guthrie, Oklahoma was once the capitol of the pre-statehood territory of Oklahoma. It thrived in those days with booming business for the new settlers and midwestern commerce. Investors employed skilled builders and craftsman to build buildings for the long run: brick and mortar buildings with ornate decorations designed to last for very long periods of time with class and style.

I enjoy seeing buildings from this period because of the human mindset they represent. When you see a building you see the people behind it. The people who created Guthrie had the same desire to make money and be rich as anyone else but they did it in a style that expected profits on a slower pace over a longer period of time. In today's market the Walmarts and Best Buys of our country don't have the ability to build long lasting, beautiful structures like these. They're focused on their financial results for the next quarter and how Wall Street will judge them. The question is not even as simple as whether you might favor a retailer in a restored historic building over one in a big box store because both retailers know there is a strong chance you'll skip the store altogether and shop online.

This period in America is seen today through the towns that still preserve their historic buildings from a hundred years ago. Many towns don't have the economy or appreciation to keep them in good shape. Guthrie, Oklahoma is making the effort and the atmosphere of their historic downtown is impressive.

You'll find Guthrie, Oklahoma by getting off the fast modern highway and taking route 77 north of Oklahoma City headed towards Wichita, Kansas. I only spent a few hours there but it was worth my time.

Guthrie, Oklahoma on Wikipedia