Visiting Guthrie, Oklahoma: Part of the Largest Historic District in the United States

Anyone Care for a Horse Drawn Carriage Ride?

It has become a tradition in my family to visit the small town of Guthrie, Oklahoma at least once a year, usually during the holidays. It is only about forty-five minutes from my home in Edmond, and about an hour and a half from central Oklahoma City. Nestled snuggly between Cedar Valley and Crescent, Guthrie is one of the smallest towns in Oklahoma, but also one of the prettiest.

Driving in on I-35, tall buildings and busy strip centers turn quickly into cobblestone streets and tiny row houses. Shops of various parentage and decor sit on every corner, and luminescent street lights guide the way. Horse drawn carriages are usually waiting in front of restaurants to carry couples and families on romantic tours of the city, even though most houses and stores are within walking distance of one another.

Cars are parked on the curbs, but there are few vehicles, as Guthrie is a quiet town. Its surrounding areas combine to make the largest Historic District in the United States, but it is far from a money-generating tourist attraction. Few know of its quaint grandeur, and unless your family resides within its city limits, you are unlikely to visit. 

Most people who live in Guthrie "adopt" one of the historic homes, which date back to the early 1800's. There are a few apartment complexes downtown, though most of them have been rennovated to appear exactly as they did many years ago, and some choose to buy ranches on the outskirts of town in which to raise a family. Those coming from large cities might find it rather boring, though I think it is one of the most attractive cities in the world. It is home to three parks, three tennis courts, one swimming pool facility, and four golf courses. Antiquing is one of its major economical attractions, and small, family-owned restaurants take the place of large chains. There are four real estate companies serving Guthrie at this time, though there will probably be more in years to come.