Linwood Place has 100th anniversary
Tour Homes to be featured in annual event

Oklahoma had only been a state for two years when a handful of prominent businessmen bought 310 acres way, way north and west of Oklahoma City.

They cut it into residential lots and built schools, parks and boulevards.

They even threw in the ultimate amenity: a direct link to downtown via a world-class trolley system.

The developers, including James Lynn, Clarence Bennett, John Shartel, Oscar Workman, Anton Classen, J.H. Everest and John J. Harden, named the neighborhood Linwood Place.

Almost immediately, Linwood was recognized as one of the best addresses in the city, home to some of Oklahoma City’s most successful citizens. Early residents included Chris Schwab (Schwab Meat Co.), Bill Cain (Cain’s Coffee Co.), Bill Horn (Horn Seed Co.), John Kilpatrick, Walter Kamp (Kamp’s Grocery) and Oscar Holderby (Oklahoma National Stockyards Co.).

This year, Linwood Place celebrates its 100th anniversary as a neighborhood during the 14th annual tour of historic homes from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $8 in advance at 23rd Street Antique Mall, 3023 NW 23, or Prairie Thunder Baking Co., Plaza Court Building at NW 10 and Walker Avenue. Tickets are $10 Sunday at any of the tour houses.

"People are interested to see how a neighborhood has been able to maintain and reinvent itself, continuing to be a clean, stable, and friendly place to live for 100 years,” said Janet Sinclair, president of the Linwood Place Neighborhood Association.

Linwood, bordered on the north and south by NW 23 and NW 16, on the east by Drexel Boulevard and on the west by Grand Boulevard/Interstate 44, is comprised of 465 homes, six of them highlighted on this year’s tour:

This is a 1925 Craftsman bungalow bought in 1995 by Scott and Karen Dedmon. To re-create the feel of the 1920s, the owners have undertaken several major projects, including repainting, and stripping paint to restore the oak woodwork and bookshelves and the brick fireplace in the living room. The house is filled with antiques from the Craftsman period, including an original Gustav Stickley library table.

The home of Jim and Debby Blalock, built in 1910, is said to be one of 12 designed by architect Solomon Andrew Layton’s firms. Layton’s work includes the Oklahoma State Capitol and Skirvin Hotel. It was rumored that this house was considered for use as the Governor’s Mansion when the capitol was moved from Guthrie. The home, which was chosen as the 2000 Symphony Designers Show House, has received extensive renovations from the Blalocks.

Marian and Phil Horning are the second owners of this 1928 home. They have lived in the house for 35 years. The red brick home is an eclectic mixture of architectural styles, which the Hornings have remodeled and renovated through the years.

This attractive, buff brick Tudor cottage built circa 1931 is the home of Joe and Virginia Shepard. The interior is in the Arts and Crafts style, with characteristic earth tones in the wall colors and furnishings. The home retains many original features, however, has undergone key renovations.

One of the oldest houses in Linwood, built circa 1909, is now home to Kadie and Graham Ramsay. The interior is of Arts and Crafts design. The oak floors, beams, plate rails, bookcases and trim are all original, as is the period lighting in the entry foyer and living room.

The home of Connie and Bob Bright since 1976, this Tudor-revival masterpiece was built in 1939. Unusualfeatures abound, and the Brights have updated several aspects of the home.

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