CITY OF DEL CITY – HISTORY

Del City is a city in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma and is part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 22,128.

* Home of the Del City Eagles

The Founder of this city was George Epperly. His dream for Del City came to life in 1948. It is the proud home of two-time Olympic gold medalist wrestler John Smith. Exhibits here are the Oklahoma County and Western Museum, Del City Preservation and Historical Society, and War Memorial, these exhibits reflect a rich history and honor for the veterans and hometown soldiers who lost their lives serving the United States.

The traditional annual events include the Annual Del City / Shriners Armed Forces Day Parade held in May each year. This event has more than a 20-year history and is one of the largest, ongoing parades in the State of Oklahoma: A Christmas Lighting and Halloween Bash. There are Year round outdoor recreational activities available to outdoor enthusiasts at any of the three Bicycle / Pedestrian Trails located off Interstate 40 in Ray Trent Park, near Tinker Air Force Base along Sooner Road, or at the 60 acre (240,000 m) Eagle Lake location with picnic and fishing on Reno Avenue. These parks are located approximately two miles from urban downtown Oklahoma City. The newly redone water park and swimming pool is at the Del City Community Center, located on SE 15th Street.

School activities, sports and children programs are of the highest priority here amongst the community.

The city itself is only 19.5 km in size. Rumor has it that Del City has been slow in expanding any major business growth due to the Epperly family wishes. Their wishes are to keep this town small with a small town atmosphere.

Some exceptions to this thinking is when the City of Del City approved a giant Walmart store to be built at Sooner Rd. and 15th street, and the Fenton Nissan Dealership on Howard and 15th street. This decision shocked the community big-time. It is not clear if Del City management had to get permission from the Epperly family first before approving the building permits for Walmart and Fenton, or if they made that decision themselves.

Some City decisions and information is a very sensitive issue with Del City management and the Epperly family. The community here will agree that the building of the Walmart store was an excellent idea regardless of who made the decision. The city is beginning to make improvements for some Streets that are in dire need of repair. The City has recently begun doing some road and major sewage repairs. Eventually like every small town, it will grow larger in business and population.

A visit to the City of Del City town hall might be an experience for some people. Some of the staff there appear friendly enough even though some citizens have had problems getting straight answers to their questions or for some of their problems. I for one attempted to get my book advertised on their local TV channel, but the lady that works at city hall refused my request after keeping my book for two days. She made no attempts to keep me posted on their decision. I had to go to city hall directly after several attempts to contact her by telephone. When I did arrive, my book was still setting on her desk. The city manager was not available when I requested to speak to him. The answer she gave me for her refusal was that my book didn't meet their criteria.

Criteria? There is nothing in their advertisements that state that a singer, a song writer or book author has to meet any criteria standards first before getting their work approved. Personally speaking, I wasn't impressed with her attitude either. I’m sure other people in this city and elsewhere have similar problems with their city officials. The Police Department has shown a large improvement in their officer training and hiring.

The school system for Del City is second to none. Del City teachers have shown remarkable love and care for all of their students and children. The teachers here are wonderful people who have given so much of themselves for the children and their education. If anyone is looking for a small town atmosphere to live, to raise their children with a good education, that has a grand Walmart store, Del City is the place to move too.

Jim Heitmeyer