Capitol Hill, Oklahoma City facts for kids

Capitol Hill is a lively neighborhood in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It started as its own town in 1905. Later, in 1911, it joined with the bigger Oklahoma City. This area is just south of downtown Oklahoma City. It is next to the North Canadian River, which is now called the Oklahoma River in the city.

Capitol Hill is a special area that aims to keep its historic look. It also encourages new, good-quality buildings. In 1997, Capitol Hill became a "Main Street" community. This means it focuses on improving its downtown area. Today, it is known for its rich mix of cultures.

Even with its name, Capitol Hill is a business and fun area in south Oklahoma City. It is different from the state capitol campus. The state capitol building is where Oklahoma's government works. That area is located further north.

Exploring Capitol Hill's Location

Capitol Hill is a neighborhood found south of downtown Oklahoma City. It is right next to the North Canadian River. Many people use the name "Capitol Hill" for a much larger area. This is bigger than its official boundaries.

A Look at Capitol Hill's Past

Capitol Hill was first planned out in 1900 by Benoni Harrington. Soon, it became a busy place for shopping. It had big department stores like John A. Brown and J.C. Penney. But when shopping malls, such as Crossroads Mall, opened, many stores left Capitol Hill.

The area began to struggle. Then, in 1997, the Capitol Hill Main Street program started. This program helped bring new life to the area. It focused on business growth, promotion, and design. Since 1997, over $14.8 million has been invested in Capitol Hill. This money helps restore the neighborhood to its past success.

Culture and Fun in Capitol Hill

Today, Capitol Hill is a center for Hispanic culture, businesses, and nightlife. You can find the Knob Hill Theater here. It used to be home to the Oklahoma Opry. There is also Resonant Head, an award-winning music venue [1].

The area has many restaurants, bakeries, and churches. You can also find graphic designers and other service businesses. A big employer in the area is the Community Action Agency. This agency helps people in Oklahoma and Canadian Counties.

Even though Oklahoma City took over Capitol Hill, it still feels like its own town. It has its own chamber of commerce. This group helps local businesses. It also has its own community newspaper. And it has its own downtown area along Commerce Street.

Learning in Capitol Hill

Schools in the Capitol Hill neighborhood are part of the Oklahoma City school district. These include Capitol Hill High School and Capitol Hill Middle School. Capitol Hill High School opened in 1928. Students from many middle schools attend this high school. Nearby, Adelaide Lee Elementary School teaches students from Kindergarten to 6th grade.