Oklahoma Main Street Center

10/16/2026

Former Main Street State Architect, Ron Frantz, is out in the streets again! This time talking about his work with Guthrie and his long career with the National Historic Preservation Act and tools that went along with it. What a difference it has made in Guthrie and many other communities across Oklahoma!

Preservation Oklahoma, Inc. is another of our partners who advocates for historic preservation on our behalf throughout the state.

10/15/2026

As a program founded on historic preservation-based economic development, we work hand in hand with our SHPO. One of the highlights of that partnership is the National Register of Historic Places and the tax credit program that helps to enable owners, caretakers and stewards the opportunity to prolong and preserve the lives of our historic assets.

National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)

The earliest NRHP nominations in Oklahoma came in the 1960s, recognizing foundational sites such as Fort Wash*ta, Cherokee National Capitol, Camp Nichols, Fort Sill Historic District, Spiro Mound Group, Wheelock Academy, Fort Gibson Historic District, Wash*ta Battlefield, Sequoyah’s Cabin, and multiple archaeological sites.

The NRHP is truly the heart of our program—every decision begins with determining eligibility. With over 1,400 listed properties and new listings added quarterly, Oklahoma continues to honor the events, people, places, and archaeological resources that shape our history.

Explore more about the NRHP by visiting okhistory.org/shpo/nationalregister.

10/15/2026

During our Fall Director/Volunteer Training last week in Altus, we celebrated two special directors who are retiring this fall.

Schaun Aker has served as program director for Cherokee Main Street for nearly two decades, watching her program flourish and grow under her leadership.

Cindy Lawrence has dedicated 37 years to Sapulpa Main Street, including more than 13 years as program director. Over the years, she has served as a founding member, committee member, board member and program director.

Thank you, both, for your dedication and professionalism. That's a lot of local history leaving us!

We wish these two fabulous women a HAPPY RETIREMENT! But, as we always say, once in Main Street, always in Main Street. We hope you won't stray too far!

10/08/2026

Today, we wrapped up our last statewide Program Director/Volunteer training for the year in Altus! We had a great three days together learning from our partners from the OU Institute for Quality Communities, the Oklahoma ABLE Commission, the Oklahoma Tax Commission, and Main Street America. Thank you as well to Matt Farley for making the trip to Altus to teach us “how to be unignorable!”

We also enjoyed a wonderful evening viewing a new infill project in downtown Altus at the Gunkel Law Group. Thank you, Preston Gunkel, for hosting us!

A big thank you, also, to Main Street Altus for hosting the entire group in such a beautiful event space – Hudson Hall! The Worrell family did an amazing job in the transformation of that building. Be looking for a before and after post soon! It’s one we have highlighted before but bears repeating.

We hope everyone had a great week and got home safely!

10/05/2026

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Adaptive reuse is a powerful example of how preservation and Economic Vitality work hand in hand.

Rather than tearing down a historic building, communities can breathe new life into existing spaces—turning vacant storefronts into restaurants, offices, housing, shops, creative spaces and more.

The result? Historic character is preserved while new investment, businesses, jobs and activity are brought downtown.

That’s the heart of the Main Street approach: use what you have, build on what makes your community unique, and create an environment where businesses and people want to be.

Historic preservation isn't just about saving buildings. It's about creating places with an economic future.

09/30/2026

Our former and longtime Main Street architect, Ron Frantz!

09/29/2026

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09/29/2026

The Oklahoma Main Street Center is proud to announce that Sapulpa Main Street has been named a Great American Main Street semi-finalist!

We are SO excited to announce this year's 2027 Great American Main Street Awards (GAMSA) semifinalists! GAMSA recognizes Main Street programs that demonstrate exceptional achievement in downtown revitalization, and these eight semifinalists show how communities can grow and thrive with the Main Street Approach. Congratulations, semifinalists!

Center City of Amarillo
Astoria Downtown Historic District Association
Downtown Excelsior Partnership
Downtown Johnson City
Downtown Lake Orion
Montpelier Alive
MainStreet Oceanside
Sapulpa Main Street

09/29/2026

**Oklahoma Certified Main Street Incentive Spotlight**

Recipient: City of Hydro

The City of Hydro applied their incentive funds toward renovations of the WPA Community Building at City Park. Future plans for the building include becoming a Community Center and possible senior center.

Projects like this show how improvements to longstanding buildings can make a big difference in how a downtown feels and functions.

The Oklahoma Main Street Center is proud to be able to offer the Certified Main Street Incentive to eligible programs in our network.