Norman’s strong sense of community, excellent quality of life and affordability, and respect for diversity, the arts, and culture are just a few of the reasons why residents love the area so much.
The United States Land Office hired a professional engineer to survey a large portion of Oklahoma territory in 1870. A young surveyor named Abner E. Norman was named chainman of the central survey region in Indian Territory.
The Santa Fe Railroad had a major role in the development of Norman. Norman, which had both a passenger and freight terminal, became the railway’s headquarters. In the first few years of its existence, the depot had to be expanded three times as business increased. J.E. Hurley, General Manager of the Santa Fe Railway, announced the final expansion in 1909. The Santa Fe Depot was deeded to the city in 1972 and has undergone extensive repairs in the last decade.
The City of Norman has decided to preserve the Santa Fe Depot as a historical monument and to put it to good use for the whole community. It is a popular conference, banquet, and party venue that also offers daily Amtrak passenger service.
The Sooner Theatre, the region’s first movie theater designed to display talking movies, originally opened its doors in 1929. The Spanish Gothic Style structure was built with no cost spared by local architect Harold Gimeno, who spent over $200,000 on it. The Sooner Theatre was the most popular movie theater in the region for almost 50 years, until the mid-1970s, when multiplexes became popular and the single-screen Sooner could no longer keep up with demand.
The Sooner Theatre now hosts Main Event Concerts, as well as the Sooner Stage. Presents a community theatrical season, year-round classes, camps, and full productions for students in The Sooner Theatre’s Studio in a second location, rental venue options for community events, and multiple outreach performances at events and festivals throughout the region, all while preserving the theatre’s historic character.
The Oklahoma Museum of Natural History is a museum on the University of Oklahoma’s campus. An act of the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature established the museum in 1899. Its present structure was finished in 1999. 7,000,000 artifacts and specimens in 12 separate collections are housed in the museum.
It contains over 50,000 square feet of display space, with five galleries and exhibits that take you on a journey through Oklahoma’s natural history. It’s one of the largest university-based natural history museums in the world and definitely worth a visit.
The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art at the University of Oklahoma is one of the best university art museums in the country. The Weitzenhoffer Collection of French Impressionism, 20th century American painting and sculpture, traditional and contemporary Native American art, art of the Southwest, ceramics, and photography are among the permanent collection’s strengths.
There’s also the 3,300-item Eugene B. Adkins Collection and the approximately 4,500-item James T. Bialac Native American Art Collection. Throughout the year, temporary exhibits examine the art of different eras and civilizations.
With a nostalgic University ambiance, the Historic Campus Corner District is home to approximately 75 shopping, eating, and entertainment establishments. Since the early 1900s, right across the street from the University of Oklahoma Campus Corner has served the needs of students and the community.
Campus Corner was founded in the early 1900s to serve the University of Oklahoma’s students and staff. Within the following 20 years, the Corner had flourished and had established itself as the hub of all University activities.
The National Weather Museum and Science Center provides public access to weather observation and forecast technology. Visitors may view weather measuring equipment including a ceilometer and weather research radar, as well as interactive displays, at this Norman site.
Stop by an informative exhibit with lots of pictures and newspaper articles and check out the Van DeGraff machine, aka tornado simulator. Science subjects, such as the solar system, are major attractions from both children and adults.
