“This is the first two-story, first masonry structure in the Unassigned Lands”
(Before I get into this post – the above quote talks about the “unassigned lands.” I want to be clear that this district sits on Gáuigú (Kiowa), 𐓏𐒰𐓓𐒰𐓓𐒷 𐒼𐓂𐓊𐒻 𐓆𐒻𐒿𐒷 𐓀𐒰^𐓓𐒰^(Osage), Wichita, Nʉmʉnʉʉ Sookobitʉ (Comanche), and Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo) land. It still is.)
Back in 2013, The Oklahoman ran a story about the building that we – EVOKE – called home in Downtown Edmond. It was an interview with our landlord, David Hornbeek.
I love looking back on these sorts of pictures to see what life was like on the ground in our past. I often would sit at EVOKE and imagine all of the conversations that room had played host to over the years and throughout the different types of businesses that had been there.
I felt that ping as we took the three drop ceilings out to expose the original ceilings (which are what you see in there today) and how great of shape they were in and when you touch the stone outside – you can almost feel the heartbeat of the building.
Things have changed in Downtown Edmond. Things are faster, louder…In fact, Walking west on Main Street now puts Edmond’s first parking garage into view (part of a $68 million residential apartment complex)- a street that to the east will also play host to Edmond’s brand new City Hall, Courthouse and another parking garage.
Downtown Edmond (and the City in general) is growing rapidly and sometimes it is hard to remember what it might have been like years ago.. What the foundation was built on that now is the very fabric that these changes will rest on.
Once thing is for sure – loosing track of who you are while you are working on who you are going to be in dangerous. Going back to the beginning can help you stay grounded and make the best decisions possible. We may not always like how things were and at what expense prior decisions were made but we can all agree that change can also be good in lots of ways.
Even since I began my business journey in the District in 2011 (when we signed our least at 103 S Broadway), I had a vision for what the area could be one day… As I walk through town, I feel all sorts of things: excitement, frustration, encouragement, detachment.. lonely, anxious, hopeful, happy..
Where will this wave take us? I’m looking forward to seeing.
BUT – I’m also lost in the trance and memories and imagination of what Edmond once was.. when the streets were dirt and the building on the corner of 1st and Broadway was the only masonry structure in the county and even before all of that when it was inhabited by it’s native owners: Kiowa, Osage, Wichita, Comanche, and Kickapoo People.