Historic Downtown Ponca City

Downtown Ponca City stretches along Grand Avenue between 1st and 7th streets — about eight walkable blocks of restored early-20th-century commercial architecture. The city sprang up overnight in the 1893 Land Run, then boomed through the 1920s oil years; the downtown skyline is mostly the work of that era. What's here today: restored brick storefronts housing local boutiques, antique shops, several coffee shops, a half-dozen good restaurants, the Poncan Theatre (1927), City Hall (1916, designed by the architect of the Oklahoma State Capitol), Veterans Plaza, the John McNeese Art Gallery, The Doodle Academy ceramic studio, and Brace Books & More. The Robin Hood grain elevator from 1922 anchors the western edge. Park anywhere and walk. Cruzin' Grand brings classic cars to the street the first Friday of every month June–September; in December the whole stretch lights up for the holidays. There are good ghost stories about most of these buildings if you ask around.