Bricktown Entertainment District (originally warehouse district)

Homestalgia Archive

Community memory · 1890s-1990s · Aug 7, 2026

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In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the area now known as Bricktown was the industrial heart of Oklahoma City. Its proximity to the railroad lines made it an ideal location for warehouses and distribution centers. The red brick buildings that define the district today were once bustling with activity, as goods were shipped in and out of the city. However, the district later declined. A visionary urban renewal project, part of the MAPS initiative in the 1990s, revitalized the area. The historic brick buildings were preserved and adapted for new uses, canals were dug, and the district was reborn as a vibrant entertainment hub, drawing both locals and tourists to its restaurants, bars, and attractions.

Source: Oklahoma Historical Society, The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Oklahoma City history; City of Oklahoma City, MAPS program history and Bricktown Canal project information (1993–1999)