Stiles Park - Oklahoma City, OK
Posted by: 
hamquilter
N 35° 28.554 W 097° 30.352
14S E 635553 N 3926846
Stiles Park - the oldest park in the Oklahoma Territory
Waymark Code: WM9AJ1
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 07/22/2010
Views: 9
Stiles Park at N.E. 8th and Stiles Circle, is the oldest park in the Oklahoma Territory, first dedicated Aug. 29, 1901. Named after an early peacemaker, Captain Daniel Frazier Stiles, this unique 200-foot circular park remains a community focal point. The park is dominated by the "Beacon of Hope," a 100 foot by eight foot sculpture, with its 1 billion candlepower green beam of light that splits through the night sky to a height of 5,498 feet. It is dedicated to five Oklahoma City men who in 1965 had the vision for the Oklahoma Health Center located in the surrounding area. These men were: Harvey P. Everest, E. K. Gaylord, Dean A. McGee, Don O'Donoghue and Stanton L. Young.
Surrounding the light shaft are five rings of stones in the ground, symbolizing a campfire, and five flowering trees dedicated to these five visionaries. At each of the four compass points is a bench with the colors Red, Black, Yellow and White, symbolizing the four seasons and the four cardinal directions.
The 100 ft. vertical shaft was lit for the first time on November 2, 2005. It is said to "connect the first 100 years to the second 100 years and beyond, as a testament to the power of the human spirit in the pursuit of healing and the luminous empowerment of hope." It is impressive during the daytime when the stones and benches and plaque can be seen, but you must drive through the area at night and see this beam of light penetrate the sky a mile high. It is awesome.
The history of Oklahoma City begins with Capt. Daniel F. Stiles, senior captain of two companies of the tenth infantry, stationed in Oklahoma City, at its beginning. This man, with his almost fanatical religious belief, was absolute dictator of law and order during the first months of the settlement, in 1889.
There is no playground, picnic area, camping facility or sports field in this park. It is a reminder of Oklahoma's early days, and her movement into the future. Definitely come at night and see the beacon. Parking is available along the curb on the circular perimeter.
Name: Stiles Park - Oklahoma City, OK
Street Location: N. E. 8th and Stiles Circle
Local Municipality: Oklahoma City
State/Province, etc.: OK
Country: USA
Web Site: [Web Link]
Memorial/Commemoration: Capt. Daniel F. Stiles
Date Established: August 29, 1901
Picnic Facilities: No
Recreational Facilities:
No facilities.
Monuments/Statues: Beacon of Hope
Art (murals/sculpture, etc.): Beacon of Hope
Fountains: None
Ponds/Lakes/Streams/Rivers/Beach: None
Special Events: None
Traditional Geocaches:
None
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