Midtown in Oklahoma City in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
Historic Plaza Court
Circa 1927
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 22, 2019
1. Historic Plaza Court Marker
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Certified rehabilitation: 2008
Midtown Renaissance, owner
Catherine Montgomery AIA, preservation consultant
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.
Location. 35° 28.754′ N, 97° 31.276′ W. Marker is in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in Oklahoma County. It is in Midtown. It is at the intersection of North Walker Avenue and Classen Drive, on the left when traveling south on North Walker Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1100 Classen Dr, Oklahoma City OK 73103, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Oklahoma Frontier Country. It is also in the American South, specifically on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Kaiser's Ice Cream Parlour (within shouting distance of this marker); Osler Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Susan Ferrell and Mary Rentie (approx. Ό mile away); The Maney Home (approx. Ό mile away); Historic Hadden Hall (approx. Ό mile away); Old First Christian Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Central High School (approx. 0.4 miles away); Mid-Continent Life Building (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oklahoma City.
Regarding Historic Plaza Court. Excerpts
this page online
Plaza Court was constructed in 1926-1927 at a cost of $150,000. Architect was Hawk & Parr, one of the city's best firms.
Plaza Court, when opened for business in 1927, was the first shopping center (other than downtown) in Oklahoma City and one of the first anywhere. Its development was a far-sighted response to changing urban conditions, in Oklahoma City and elsewhere, as the family automobile begun to lessen the dependence of shoppers on the streetcar. Plaza Court was largely the idea of John Thomas, owner of a quality market and grocery located directly across the street from the downtown streetcar terminal.
Also see . . . Plaza Court (PDF). National Register nomination for the shopping center, which was listed in 1980. (Prepared by Kent Ruth, Oklahoma Historical Society; via Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office) (Submitted on July 31, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 21, 2025
2. Historic Plaza Court Marker
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 21, 2025
3. Historic Plaza Court
Credits. This page was last revised on July 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 31, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 212 times since then and 130 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 31, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
