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March 18, 2008

Historical markers, clock plaza planned

Transcript Staff Writer

It's 100 years and counting -- and Norman is still celebrating.

Four bronze plaques and a clock tower are still in the works from funds mostly left over from Centennial activities.

Ward 6 councilmember David Hopper, chairman of the Centennial Commission, credited Bob Goins and Nancy McCall for the continuing efforts to commemorate Norman's past. Hopper made his comments at a City Council study session Tuesday.

The four bronze plaques will be on the four corners in the landscape "bump-outs" at Main Street and Peters Avenue, with each featuring an essay and a line drawing of the buildings that were there in early-day Norman. The essays are being written by Transcript Managing Editor Andy Rieger.

"These plaques are to be placed opposite from the place they describe," Goins said, for the visitor to look up and get an idea of what was originally at the location.

The clock plaza will be on the north side of Main Street, west of the Sooner Theatre and across the street from the James Garner Plaza.

The venerable First National Bank clock is going to be cleaned, refurbished, reassembled and placed on the site's tower.

Goins said he remembered the First National clock as a child.

"It's kind of a miracle that this clock is still around," he said. "We rediscovered the clock and it should be saved."

There also will be plaques on each side of the tower, Goins said. One will detail the history of banking in Norman and the other is planned to recognize those who gave generously to help with Centennial celebrations.

The clock tower plaza will cost about $84,100, said Jud Foster, director of parks and recreation for the City of Norman.

The City received $30,000 from the Oklahoma Centennial Commission toward the project, he said.

There were some funds left over from Norman's Centennial Celebration in September at the Lloyd Noble Center.

And there have been some private donations.

Funds are still being raised for the clock tower plaza, with $73,000 raised so far.

For more information, call Foster at the parks department at 366-5472.

Carol Cole-Frowe

366-3538

ccole@normantranscript.com

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