1925 Kenyon / Adams Pocket Plat Map of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

A scarce 1925 folding cadastral map of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, prepared by the Adams Engineering Company and the Kenyon Map Company. Among other features, the quantity of real estate developments reflect the frenetic pace of development in the city in the first half of the 20th century.

A Closer Look

Using a survey map as a basis, this map provides a comprehensive overview of property ownership in the city, listing individual owners and neighborhoods or development names when known. Much of this development was planned rather than extant, as the remnant lakes and waterways running through planned developments indicate. The North Canadian River (recently renamed Oklahoma River) runs east-west just south of downtown, though it has been straightened considerably from the complex, winding course seen here. Aside from real estate, other features such as parks, a country club, cemeteries, and the state fairgrounds are also indicated. Streets are labeled throughout, as are rail (both long-distance) and streetcar lines.

Lincoln Terrace

At the center towards the right, the neighborhood of Lincoln Terrace has been added to the manuscript. Lincoln Terrace is a historic neighborhood in Oklahoma City, located just east of the Oklahoma State Capitol. Established in the 1920s, this area is known for its beautiful early 20th-century homes that showcase a variety of architectural styles, including Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, and Mediterranean Revival. Originally developed as a residential district for the city’s affluent and professional residents, Lincoln Terrace remains a sought-after neighborhood due to its proximity to downtown and the Capitol Complex. The area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring the preservation of its unique architectural heritage.

All OK in OKC

In 1925, Oklahoma City was rapidly growing and transforming into a major urban center; with the population growing from some 10,000 in 1900 to 64,000 a decade later and 185,000 by 1930. The city benefitted from the oil boom that brought economic prosperity and spurred infrastructure development. Like Chicago, the intersection of rail lines there made the city a major center for the livestock industry. The downtown area featured new skyscrapers and a growing business district, while residential neighborhoods like Lincoln Terrace were emerging to house the city’s affluent citizens. The period also saw significant advances in transportation, with the extension of Route 66 passing through the city, which helped connect Oklahoma City to other regions and further stimulated growth. Cultural life was also vibrant, with the establishment of theaters, public parks, and other amenities contributing to the city’s evolving identity as a modern metropolis in the 1920s.

Publication History and Census

This map was prepared by the Adams Engineering Company, a short-lived local firm, in 1925 and published by the Kenyon Map Company, based in Des Moines, Iowa. The manuscript annotations strongly suggest that it was used by a real estate promoter or developer. We have been unable to locate any other examples of this map, either in institutional collections or on the market.