The commercial district that became Automobile Alley

Developed in the 1920s as a commercial district north of downtown, the revitalized district now known as Automobile Alley has its own vibe as restaurants and retailers return to it in droves. The area along Broadway Avenue once housed the city’s car dealerships – 52 of the Oklahoma City’s first 76 auto dealerships, by some accounts. It is now characterized by those dealers’ buildings and their neon signs – as well as a colorful light display each holiday season.

These two- to three-story commercial buildings were identifiable by their brick look and large expanses of glass on the front and large garage doors. Before it became the center of Oklahoma City’s auto business, Victorian homes built in the 1890s and 1900s lined the streets designed for horses and wagons.

Today, visitors can dine there, shop there, work there or partake in a variety of services, all within walking distance. They can also experience all of the district’s flavor with extended shopping hours at the Auto Alley Shop Hop on the third Thursday of every month.

See for yourself – take a tour of some of Oklahoma City’s oldest and most interesting places outside of downtown.