99% Invisible The Worst Way to Start a City
Oct 16, 2018
Sam Anderson, author of Boom Town, shares insights into the chaotic founding of Oklahoma City during the Land Run of 1889, where settlers rushed into unassigned territories, often in disorder. He also reveals his excitement about Operation Bongo, a series of supersonic flight tests that shocked residents in the 1960s. The discussion highlights Oklahoma City's turbulent history, its struggle for identity, and how public dissent has shaped urban policies. Anderson’s anecdotes bring the city’s past to life in a fascinating way.
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The Chaotic Land Run Start
- The Land Run of 1889 was an explosive, chaotic race where 100,000 people rushed to claim unassigned lands in Oklahoma Territory.
- People used everything from horses to bicycles, and some even cheated by entering early as "Sooners."
City Born Without Planning
- Oklahoma City began without any centralized planning, leading to a city with nearly no streets or alleys.
- Settlers claimed private lots selfishly, creating a dysfunctional urban layout that made functioning as a city impossible initially.
"Oh, Joe, Here’s Your Mule"
- On the first night, settlers spontaneously repeated the phrase "Oh, Joe, here's your mule" creating a bizarre communal bonding moment.
- This shared ritual marked the psychological birth of the Oklahoma City community despite the prior chaos.
