These Walls: The Farmers Public Market, OKC

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Apr 7, 2008 by Kelley Chambers

The Farmers Public Market may not quite be the bustling center of activity it once was, but the building has stood at 311 S. Klein Ave. since 1928 and still operates as a farmers market.

Oklahoma County assessor records show the two-story building and a one-story retail building were both built at the site in 1928, while two storage warehouses were added in 1930.

The market was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

The nomination form for the national register, filed with the U.S. Department of the Interior, reported the $500,000 public market was considered the "last word" in marketplace construction when it opened on June 16, 1928. It was built by John J. Harden and remained in the Harden family until 2002.

The historic register nomination form lists Gaylord Noftsger as the builder/architect.

A Farmers Public Market Web site also outlines the history of the building from the 1920s to the present.

Before the market was built, farmers from around the state would come to Oklahoma City to sell their products, but not in one centralized spot.

The farmers reportedly irked the downtown business community, which led to plans to build a market.

Both the Web site and the national register nomination form state the site of the market was on the former Delmar Gardens, a family fun park with a dance hall, theater and other attractions.

The finished public market was a collection of buildings, including the prominent two-story stucco building with terra cotta ornamentation and a tile and asphalt roof.

The floors were made of reinforced concrete with structural steel joints, making it fireproof and virtually indestructible.

The first floor of the main building hosted a collection of shops and farm vendors - including a grocery store at one time - while the second floor was used for concerts and dances.

Among the big-name performers who are reported to have played in the auditorium include Hank Williams Sr., Count Basie and Bob Wills.

The second floor is also reported to have been used at one time as a skating rink.

A wooden arcade wrapped around the main building. The arcade was originally U-shaped, but the south side was removed after a fire.

In 1980, a granite historical marker recognizing the former site of the Delmar Gardens was added.

In the past few decades the market fell into decline, but continued to operate as a farmers market with the addition of antique and collectibles dealers.

In 2002, Burt and Jody McAnally purchased the market and four neighboring buildings on about 6 acres for $850,000 from the Harden family.

Since that time, the second floor was cleared of stalls to host events like weddings, banquets, and boxing matches.

Outside vendors continue to offer a variety of produce and plants.

In March 2007, the market had a special visitor when presidential candidate Barack Obama made his first Oklahoma campaign stop at the Farmers Market and spoke to a crowd of more than 1,000 supporters.

The Journal Record profiles a significant Oklahoma City or Tulsa building in "These Walls" every Monday and Tuesday.