Who loves looking back at the Sooner State and taking a trip down memory lane? We do! We’ve looked at the Great Depression, 1950s and 1960s in Oklahoma, and now it’s time to see some memories from the 1970s. It was a decade full of changes for Oklahoma due to the oil industry and many advancements in national defense, weather prediction and transportation. Featured below are 14 mesmerizing photos in Oklahoma during the 1970s that showcase some memories during this decade.
- The military is preparing for departure on this C-5 aircraft at Altus Air Force Base, 1972.
Barbara Ann Spengler/Flickr
- Downtown Lawton is filled with activity on this day in May, 1972.
Barbara Ann Spengler/Flickr
- This young man is receiving his pilot wings from Vance AFB, 1970.
Flickr/Bill Wilson
- Outside the largest airport in the state, Will Rogers Airport, November of 1971.
Barbara Ann Spengler/Flickr
- Meers in 1973 looks very similar to its current appearance.
Stef Noble/Flickr
- Downtown Oklahoma City - a growing metropolis in 1974.
US National Archives/Flickr
- The first tornado captured by the NSSL doppler radar and NSSL chase personnel - Union City, May 24, 1973.
NOAA Photo Library/Flickr
- Anadarko Indian Village in rural Oklahoma, 1975.
Barbara Ann Spengler/Flickr
- Rex, “The Wonder Dog,” from the Tulsa Police Department in 1975. His resume included 206 apprehensions, found missing children and saved multiple officer’s lives.
Frank Boston/Flickr
- Loew’s Delman on 15th Street in Tulsa, May of 1976.
Rex Brown/Flickr
- This couple is onboard Amtrak’s Lone Star as it just crossed over into Oklahoma. They are discussing their plans in a passenger car, June of 1974.
US National Archives/Flickr
- The Lone Star passenger train slowly makes its way past debris which resulted from a freight train derailment in Oklahoma. The derailment disrupted rail traffic for two days, June of 1974.
US National Archives/Flickr
- Amtrak’s baggage cart at Pauls Valley train station, 1974.
US National Archives/Flickr
- NSSL’s first Doppler Weather Radar located in Norman, 1973. 1970s research using this radar led to NWS NEXRAD WSR-88D radar network.
NOAA/Wikimedia
Do you remember any of these photos/events in the 1970s? If so, tell us more about them!
Barbara Ann Spengler/Flickr
Flickr/Bill Wilson
Stef Noble/Flickr
US National Archives/Flickr
NOAA Photo Library/Flickr
Frank Boston/Flickr
Rex Brown/Flickr
NOAA/Wikimedia
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