John A. Brown's, Kerr's & Halliburton's: Where Oklahoma City Loved to Shop - Paperback

by Ajax Delvecki (Author), Larry Johnson (Author)

Department stores John A. Brown's, Kerr's and Halliburton's ruled supreme in Oklahoma City. From lucky penny giveaways to defying blue laws, the three big department stores did whatever it took to entertain and entice. The stunning display windows of Kerr's downtown once lured shoppers inside, but the closing of Halliburton's in 1961 signaled the final days of downtown shopping. Adoption fairs and civil rights sit-ins at Brown's wove the store into the social fabric of the city. Authors Ajax Delvecki and Larry Johnson chronicle the stories, history and memories of the best of Oklahoma City shopping.

Author Biography

Ajax Delvecki is an archivist with the City of Oklahoma City. He earned his BA in geography (with a cultural, historical and social emphasis), a master's degree in international studies and a master's of library science. In addition to researching old stores in the USA, Wales and South Africa, Ajax has written for a number of publications and conferences, and is known locally as Mr. "That Used To Be..." Oklahoma City resident Larry Johnson works as a history librarian for the Metropolitan Library System, where he coordinates the Oklahoma Collection. He holds degrees in both history and information science. Larry is a frequent contributor to Info magazine and is the author of seven books.