Lincoln Terrace Neighborhood Association

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In the news . . . 32 years ago

Monday, 23 July 1973
The Oklahoma Journal

"Lincoln Terrace Rich In History"
By Ann Davis

South of the governor's mansion, adjacent to the state capitol complex stands a neighborhood once threatened with decay but now looking to the future.

Lincoln Terrace, one of Oklahoma City's oldest residential areas, recently formed one of Oklahoma City's newest corporations.

The Capitol-Lincoln Terrace Historic Preservation Association was formed this spring as a non-profit group to coordinate efforts to obtain Historic Preservation zoning for the area.

The section to be preserved runs roughly from Culbertson Drive and Lincoln Blvd. on the east and west to NE 23 and NE 14 on the north and south.

The area is comprised of large two-story houses with spacious interiors, spiral staircases, two to three fireplaces and an abundance of windows.

Architecture ranges from Colonial to French and Spanish. A house on the corner of NE 17 and Lindsay is reminiscent of a medieval castle.

A bird and squirrel sanctuary, Lincoln Terrace abounds with sycamore, pecan, elm, redbud and many other variety of trees.

The addition was developed by J. J. Culbertson, donator of the land under the east half of the capitol complex and builder of the first "skyscraper" in early day downtown Oklahoma City.

Another of the area's developers was G. A. Nichols, who also developed the Nichols Hills area.

Most of the development occurred between 1919 and 1928.

Part of the area now comprising Lincoln Terrace was used as a makeshift airfield for practice pilots after World War I.

Clarence Page, owner of Page Aircraft, recollects practice training on weekends and landing on the field. "There were some pretty big houses on Lincoln Blvd. at the time, but not much else," Page recalls.

Among the famous Oklahomans to have homes in Lincoln Terrace were George Shirk, 626 NE 16; the late Gove. Roy Turner, 623 Culbertson Drive and 626 NE 15; Fifth District Rep. John Jarman, 606 NE 16; the late Sen. Robert S. Kerr, 636 NE 14; Gen. W. S. Key, 600 Culbertson; Louis Macklanburg of Macklanburg-Duncan, 601 NE 18; and Harvey Everest, 606 NE 17.

Another historical figure was Mayme Hammonds, private secretary for Gov. Henry Johnston. Mrs. Hammonds was the "ewe lamb" of the "Ewe Lamb Rebellion" famous in Oklahoma history. The incident eventually resulted in Gov. Johnston's untimely removal from office. Serving as Johnston's private secretary, she refused to let legislators and other important politicians see him. The legislators demanded that he fire her, but Johnston defended her, saying he would not sacrifice "one ewe lamb" to stay in office. Subsequently, the legislature impeached Johnston.

In the last year homebuyers have shown a new interest in Lincoln Terrace. Doctors working at the nearby health sciences center, as well as a number of young professional people have bought in the area.

One of the association's projects is to landscape a small park bordering Lincoln Terrace on the east. The park, named in honor of G. A. Nichols, was donated to the city by Culbertson.

Mrs. Flo Cramer, association secretary, said residents hope to make it a "walking park" with a motif reflecting the period when the section was built.

Mrs. Cramer said a representative of the parks department has indicated the department would welcome the residents' suggestions and do all it could to help restore the park. To get Historic Preservation zoning, the association must present documentation on all the houses in the area to the Capitol Zoning Commission.

Based on the evidence given, the commission will decide whether to grant the zoning, which would give Oklahoma City its third historic preservation district.

Mrs. Harris Riley Jr., vice president of the association, said the group hopes to presents its case to the commission before the end of summer.

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