The Santa Fe Railroad didn't just spur the growth of industries; it encouraged the growth of towns, as well. At one of its stopping points, where passengers unloaded and workers anticipated shipments of freight, a town grew around the little station. That town would later become one of Oklahoma's largest cities and the home of one of its leading universities. Norman, Oklahoma, grew so rapidly, in fact, that developers built three annexes onto the railroad station in order to accommodate increased passenger and freight traffic. Visit this city of nearly 88,000 residents today, and you'll find the Santa Fe Railroad station still standing, but the days of transporting passengers via the Santa Fe Railroad are over. Instead, the station has become a tribute to history. Businesspeople rent the station out for celebrations, meetings and other functions.

Around the same time that the Santa Fe Railroad was giving rise to an influx of settlers in Norman, the town established what was to become one of the South's leading universities, the University of Oklahoma ("OU"). Norman has developed a reputation for its educational quality, not just due to OU, but also to its public school system, considered among the state's best. With a strong educational base, Norman is leading the state in terms of business growth, as well. Norman has been called one of Oklahoma's most progressive cities, and with good reason. This forward-looking city is currently undertaking the "Norman 2020" plan, a series of revitalization efforts in its downtown sector. The plan is designed to accommodate Norman's projected population growth in the next century and stave off the inevitable side effects of such growth, including traffic congestion, overcrowding and shortage of commercial and residential real estate.

To visit Norman is to experience a taste of history. Here, in the nation's breadbasket, you'll find architectural artifacts that tell the story of what was once the "end of the line" for settlers and home for thousands of Native Americans who left their imprint on the land and whose ancestors still reside here today. During your history tour, you'll want to stop at Moore-Lindsey House, an historically accurate residence designed to recreate for modern visitors turn-of-the-century life in Norman. You won't want to pass over what was once the center of life in Norman, the old Santa Fe Railroad Depot. As part of Norman's revitalization efforts, city planners are developing the land adjacent to the depot into a downtown park.

The Cleveland County Historical House is a treat for architectural history buffs. This Queen Anne-style residence was built in 1900 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The home's furnishings remain loyal to the period in which it was built, and its architectural anomalies include a variety of stained glass windows, intricately carved woodwork, a turret and several gables. The Cleveland County Historical House serves as a museum and holds numerous visiting exhibits and educational programs annually.

The Jacobson House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, pays tribute to Norman's early Native American popluations. This architecturally unique home contains a library and a renowned collection of Native American art. Jacobson House also holds a variety of cultural events throughout the year, including arts demonstrations, poetry readings and visiting exhibitions. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its unique architectural style and its historic association with Native American art, the Jacobson House serves as a gathering place for Native American art and cultural events.

Lovers of arts and crafts should plan to make a stop at Norman's Firehouse Art Center, a visual arts clearinghouse of sorts. Containing a gallery, classrooms and studios, the center once served as a fire station; a firemens' pole remains standing in the building today. Aspiring artists of all ages visit the center for instruction in photography, ceramics and pottery, jewelrymaking, painting, glassblowing and other lost arts.

Other notable local attractions include the Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, which contains a fascinating assortment of Native American relics and a collection of dinosaur fossils; the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art at the University of Oklahoma, home to a collection of art considered among the nation's best; and the Sooner Theater at the University of Oklahoma, a Spanish Gothic-style structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the site of theater, music and dance performances throughout the year.

Located just 30 minutes from Oklahoma City, Norman offers a smaller-sized alternative to relocating families. Despite its comparatively smaller population, however, Norman is as progressive as any larger city, if not more. Its excellent public school system and university provide a built-in talent pool for local businesses. The city's quality of life remains high, its downtown district is thriving and its residential real estate inventory offers a wide selection of reasonably priced homes. Many homes offer substantial acreage on their lots, although patio homes and other zero lot-line properties are available, as well. Architecture ranges from ranch-style to modern with a variety of custom amenities.

Housing in Norman is among the most affordable in the United States. Both new and existing homes range from well below $100,000 to $500,000 and up. Norman's inventory is among the most economically diverse you'll find anywhere. Its population is comprised of many young people in their 20s and 30s who attend college at OU and elect to remain here because of the wealth of business opportunities and affordable housing stock. In the long term, it's likely they'll remain here as they have children; Norman's schools and safe streets make it an attractive choice for young families.

During its early days at the turn of the century, Norman was known as the "crossroads" of the country -- a final stop on the journey of hopeful young settlers. As we look forward to a new century, that reputation hasn't changed. Nor has the hard work ethic that brought the earliest generations here. This pervasive optimism and forward-thinking sensibility is likely to carry Norman ahead well into the 21st century, keeping it at the top of Oklahoma's list of most progressive cities.  

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Published: December 20, 1999

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