And is mighty tasty. Smithsonian Magazine had an article on “Little Saigon” in OKC. We have been here several times and decided to try this unexpected area. Our pho dinner was delicious. We wandered through the Super Cao Nyugen Market and bought a little treat for dessert. These trees sparkle in the parking lot.
We mentioned planned and surprise destinations. There is another type, suggested destinations, places where family and friends have been and recommend. That is how we got to Guthrie, OK. Our cousins Barbara and Bob came through with another great idea when they read that we were in this area. Guthrie is a charming town with wonderful architecture and nice little shops to browse. They also have the most welcoming people, including a woman who moved here from Carmichael where we used to live. From the people we met we can see the appeal of this area.
Guthrie (no apparent relation to the musical family) was founded in 1889 when boomers, ranchers and the Native Americans fought physically and politically over the land. The boomers sought the opening of the territory for settlement, the ranchers wanting free grazing rights and the Native Americans wanting a homeland resisted. The boomers won. Guthrie became the first capital of the state until a feud between the governor and the owner of the major newspaper led to the capital moving OKC. This building was the old State Capitol.
Guthrie is also where the smallest national park in the system is located. Yes, it really is a national park. The park is really just one tree in the back of the post office and has no label but offers a bit of odd amusement for the town.
The 1902 Carnegie Library is now home to the Oklahoma Territory Museum.
This statue represents the “marriage” between the settlers and the Native Americans.
A war memorial reminds us of the Logan County war dead.
The Blue Belle Saloon was a hangout for the powerful of the town.
Its most famous bartender ended up being a silent screen (and talkies) cowboy hero. Anyone know who he was?
In 1903 there was a restaurant, music store and bordello affiliated with the saloon. The building was restored in 1959, when prohibition ended in Oklahoma.
The town has become a tourist destination showing off its architecture and having many weekend celebrations. It is the largest contiguous historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.
In addition to the buildings in downtown, Victorian homes attract visitors.
We found it a lovely place to wander.
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