Skirvin Hilton - The Day Before

By the time I finished working on this Skirvin "update", I decided that it needed a new post, all by itself. This is written on Sunday, February 25, the day before the Skirvin reopens its doors to the world. For related posts, see Grand Reopening, Skirvin History and Skirvin Preview

I remind all that this grand event is something that we, in Oklahoma City, have all contributed to since it was by the leadership of Mayor Kirk Humphreys that our city "engaged" and became pro-actively involved in this project. Had that not happened, what we are about to see tomorrow would not have come to be. It did happen, and our city is proud, very proud. "We" can rightly claim that, "This is OUR hotel!" As Okc citizens, it is our due to make such a claim!

Two segments are in this post ... the excellent Sunday Oklahoman front page story and supplement published today, February 25, and the images contained in Dan Mahoney's website published just a few days earlier.

The Oklahoman Supplement. Today's Sunday Oklahoman front page and supplement, mostly written by Steve Lackmeyer, tells the story:

Front Page: Fans Ready For Return

Supplement Starting Point

Money, Money, Money!

Crowning Moment

At The Skirvin's Front Desk

In It's Decline

One Big Party

At Home in the Skirvin

Attracting the Stars

Bob Blackburn's Legacy

Managing the Banquets

What a Comeback!

Indonesian Investor Fails

Legacy That Refused To End

City's Blacks Recall A Different Skirvin

Some of the images in that Oklahoman supplement are below ... click on a pic for a larger view ...

Now ... and in the 1960s


Skirvin Moulding ... Now and Then ...


Events Gone By In The Skirvin


John Wayne and Skirvin Employees


Dan Mahoney's Website. As mentioned in earlier posts, Dan is a publicist for the Skirvin Hilton, working with the Gooden Group, and he kindly made it possible for lowly Doug Dawg to have one large tour and a mini-one before today. Dan has set up his own Skirvin website, a Press Kit located here, and he has kindly consented that I use those pics here which range from initial construction, through the glory years of famous guests, to today's finished construction.

Most of those pics are below ... marvelous eye candy ... click a pic for a much larger look.

1st Construction and The Tunnel


Small Ballroom and Hotel Lobby



Restaurant and 1930's Expansion


Glen Ford and Perle Mesta


Martin & Lewis and the Nixons


Richard Nixon & Dwight Eisenhour


Billboard & Hotel Desk


Bell Captains and Fountain Gals


Hotel Brochure and Dan James


Restaurant and 14th Floor Sitting Room


Original Ad and Lobby Lighting Today


Lobby Lights Close Up and Mezzanine


Main Ballroom Lights and Exterior North


South Views At Night


Closeups of Top of Skirvin Hilton


Building Top and Fourteenth Floor Moulding


Park Avenue Grill


Front Desk and Bill James' Children,
George James and Dannie Bea Hightower

In slightly less than 24 hours, it's all ours again, baby!

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