The Story of Nichols Hills
The story of Nichols Hills
Mrs. Bixler
May 16, 1957
(The real story of Nichols Hills has never been told. This beautiful and unusual community of homes, just over 25 years old, is one of the show places of the country, but to some 5,000 residents, it’s just home. It’s a planned community – planned for quiet, gracious living, and it has a dignity and charm and character which is found in very few places in the country.
No one could be better qualified to tell this story of Nichols Hills than Mrs. George R. Bixler, 6707 Avondale Drive. The Bixlers moved to Nichols Hills in October 1930, and Bixler has been town clerk for 24 years.
Much of the information on which this story is based comes from files of “Town Talk,” a publication which began in 1934 and was abandoned when World War II broke out. This publication was first typed, then mimeographed and later printed. The first editor of the paper was Mrs. Clayton B. Pierce, 1600 Guilford Lane, and Mrs. Bixler was the second editor. Another installment of the story of Nichols Hills will appear next week and each week thereafter, written expressively for Ye Town Cryer by Mrs. Bixler. – Editor’s Note)
History Of Nichols Hills
Back of every venture is a dream of some individual. One man who had accumulated sufficient worldly goods turned a few years back from building just houses and decided to express his idea of a community where homes – and only homes – would be the paramount issue. This man, the late Dr. G.A. Nichols, had one ambition back in 1929, and this was to develop an area near Oklahoma City which would be an ideal place for homes and families.
Every home in the community was to be protected against the encroachment of undesirable surroundings by permanent building restrictions. The streets, he decided, would be laid out with the express purpose of slowing down people with that deadly mania for “getting someplace fast.” The streets were not to be thoroughfares. They were, rather, to invite leisurely travel. It was the founder’s idea that no one should want to travel at an excessive speed through the hills. They were to be the “hills of homes,” to be enjoyed by all who passed that way. Such, then, was the founder’s conception of Nichols Hills.
Dr. Nichols bought 2,700 acres of rolling prairies and farmland north of Oklahoma City. From Kansas City, he brought in a firm of engineers to lay out the streets as he visualized them. The old-fashioned “checker-board idea” of cut and dried straight streets and square blocks had no place in this new development. The streets were to follow the natural terrain of the countryside, with the entrance to be at N.W. 63rd and Western. The long graceful sweep of the curving streets, he decided, were not to go anyplace particular – but were just to roam around the hills past the homes.
The natural prairie was attractive and effective. But, it was decided, that where homes were to be built there must be trees and lots of them. Consequently, a whole forest of trees were moved in from distant places. In that first year, more than 5,600 large shade trees and 35,000 smaller ones were transplanted to the new community of Nichols Hills. There also were hundreds of different kinds of pine, spruce and junipers planted. Plots for small parks dotted the whole community, and there were larger park areas in every available space.
The entrance at Northwest 63 and Western was marked by two stately towers of true Normandy architecture, and Avondale Drive took off from there in a northwesterly direction. All street names at that time were scooped from the English countryside. While the new streets were still a gleam in the developers’ eyes, people who wanted to get away from the corner drug store and the hustle and bustle of the city bought the lots from a piece of paper. They began to construct their homes, and before they were finished the paved streets rolled past their doors and everyone was very happy.
In early 1930, E. Highfill built and occupied the very first home in Nichols Hills, although the town did not even have a name at that time. This home, located at the corner of Grand Boulevard and Bedford Drive, is occupied today by the William A. Norton family, the address being 6516 Northwest Grand Boulevard.
At about the same time a home was built at 1108 Wilshire Boulevard, and the name of the builder is unknown. This home is occupied today by Mrs. Hazel D. Bogue. The late Lewis Wahl and family moved to their home at 1208 Marlboro Lane shortly afterward.
In October of 1930, Dr. Omar L. Jordan moved with his family into his home at 6709 Avondale Drive. The W.R. McWilliams family moved into their home on Avondale Drive, and the George W. Bixlers completed their new home at 6707 Avondale Drive that month, the paving beating them by one week.
Moving into the new community in 1930, and still occupying their homes, were Dr. and Mrs. G.A. Nichols, who built their home at 7006 Nichols Road. Dr. Nichols has since passed on. Mr. and Mrs. John A. Brown built their home that year at 1601 Guilford Lane, and Brown has passed on.
Others who built that year were Judge and Mrs. C.B. Cochran, who built at 1605 Drury Lane; the J.Steve Andersons, 1606 Drury Lane; the H. Dorsey Douglas family, 1503 Drury Lane; and the George Fredericksons, 1604 Camden Way. All are still living in their homes. The Ray J. Spradlings built their home at 1504 Camden Way that year but later moved to 1124 Huntington Avenue.
For the rest of this story…click here
To find out more about this beautiful historic neighbor: click here
Homes for sale in Nichols Hills
$4,300,000
Active
1303 Bedford Drive Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
4 Beds 4.1 Baths 6,126 SqFt 0.720 Acres
$3,995,000
Active
1606 W Wilshire Boulevard Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
6 Beds 6.3 Baths 12,007 SqFt 2.300 Acres
$3,800,000
Active
1309 Bedford Drive Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
5 Beds 5.3 Baths 9,538 SqFt 1.100 Acres
$3,300,000
Active
1701 Drury Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
6 Beds 7.2 Baths 13,614 SqFt 2.920 Acres
$2,595,000
Active
1700 Drury Lane Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
5 Beds 6.1 Baths 10,284 SqFt 1.070 Acres
$2,300,000
Active
6640 Avondale Drive Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
4 Beds 4.1 Baths 5,536 SqFt 0.482 Acres
$1,999,000
Active
1115 Cumberland Court Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
4 Beds 4.1 Baths 5,481 SqFt 0.210 Acres
$1,958,000
Active
7305 Nichols Road Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
4 Beds 4.2 Baths 5,681 SqFt
$1,860,000
Active
7007 Nichols Road Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
4 Beds 4.2 Baths 5,723 SqFt 0.810 Acres
$1,725,000
Active
7309 Nichols Road Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
3 Beds 4.2 Baths 5,799 SqFt 0.600 Acres
$1,600,000
Active
7200 Nichols Road Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
3 Beds 3.2 Baths 5,430 SqFt 2.270 Acres
$1,499,000
Active
1500 Dorchester Drive Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
5 Beds 6.4 Baths 9,293 SqFt 0.810 Acres
$1,475,000
Active
1605 Westminster Place Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
4 Beds 5.1 Baths 5,183 SqFt 0.417 Acres
$1,450,000
Active
6700 NW Grand Boulevard Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
5 Beds 4.1 Baths 4,129 SqFt 0.600 Acres
$1,399,000
Active
7609 Dorset Drive Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
4 Beds 4.1 Baths 4,269 SqFt 0.360 Acres
$1,395,000
Active
1421 Glenbrook Terrace Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
3 Beds 2.2 Baths 3,914 SqFt 0.248 Acres
$1,350,000
Active
1817 Coventry Lane Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
4 Beds 4.1 Baths 4,350 SqFt 0.310 Acres
$1,324,000
Active
6615 Hillcrest Avenue Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
5 Beds 3.2 Baths 5,257 SqFt 0.460 Acres
$1,300,000
Active
2010 Elmhurst Avenue Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
5 Beds 3.2 Baths 5,337 SqFt 0.595 Acres
$1,299,000
Active
1209 Larchmont Lane Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
4 Beds 4.1 Baths 4,774 SqFt 0.620 Acres
$1,290,000
Active
1801 Guilford Lane Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
3 Beds 5 Baths 4,487 SqFt 0.490 Acres
$1,250,000
Active
1808 Guilford Lane Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
4 Beds 3.1 Baths 4,217 SqFt 0.404 Acres
$1,249,000
Active
1205 Glenwood Avenue Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
5 Beds 4.2 Baths 5,360 SqFt 0.460 Acres
$1,228,000
Active
1608 N Queenstown Road Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
4 Beds 4.1 Baths 4,464 SqFt 0.372 Acres
$1,200,000
Active
1506 Buttram Road Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
3 Beds 3.1 Baths 3,475 SqFt 0.770 Acres
$1,175,000
Active
7100 Waverly Avenue Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
5 Beds 5.1 Baths 6,464 SqFt 0.670 Acres
$1,149,000
Active
1404 Glenbrook Terrace Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
4 Beds 4.1 Baths 3,890 SqFt 0.344 Acres
$1,139,865
Active
1110 Hemstead Place Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
4 Beds 3.1 Baths 3,690 SqFt 0.246 Acres
$1,090,000
Active
1719 Dorchester Drive Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
4 Beds 5.1 Baths 4,299 SqFt 0.402 Acres
$1,050,000
Active
7913 Nichols Gate Circle Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
3 Beds 3.1 Baths 4,098 SqFt
$1,025,000
Active
1612 Camden Way Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
4 Beds 5.1 Baths 4,652 SqFt 0.360 Acres
$1,025,000
Active
1717 Dorchester Place Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
4 Beds 3.1 Baths 3,348 SqFt 0.258 Acres
$998,000
Active
1802 Elmhurst Avenue Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
4 Beds 5.1 Baths 4,298 SqFt 0.470 Acres
$998,000
Active
1607 Westminster Place Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
4 Beds 4 Baths 3,887 SqFt 0.475 Acres
$958,000
Active
1706 Pennington Way Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
4 Beds 3.1 Baths 3,382 SqFt 0.324 Acres
$899,000
Active
6923 Avondale Court Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
4 Beds 4.1 Baths 4,118 SqFt 0.457 Acres
$895,000
Active
1119 Glenwood Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
4 Beds 3 Baths 3,429 SqFt
$895,000
Active
1610 N Camden Way Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
5 Beds 3.1 Baths 4,375 SqFt 0.347 Acres
$885,000
Active
1712 Randel Road Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
2 Beds 3.1 Baths 3,859 SqFt 0.464 Acres
$849,000
Active
6502 N Lenox Avenue Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
5 Beds 3.1 Baths 3,772 SqFt 0.384 Acres
$795,000
Active
1633 Camden Way Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
3 Beds 2.1 Baths 1,998 SqFt 0.464 Acres
$775,000
Active
1122 Huntington Avenue Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
3 Beds 3.1 Baths 2,781 SqFt 0.284 Acres
$749,500
Active
7325 Waverly Avenue Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
3 Beds 3.1 Baths 3,627 SqFt 0.440 Acres
$725,000
Active
1115 Hemstead Place Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
5 Beds 4.1 Baths 3,248 SqFt 0.265 Acres
$725,000
Active
7009 Trenton Road Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
3 Beds 3 Baths 2,958 SqFt 0.355 Acres
$715,000
Active
1245 Glenbrook Terrace Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
4 Beds 3 Baths 3,326 SqFt 0.312 Acres
$715,000
Active
1723 Drakestone Avenue Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
3 Beds 2.1 Baths 2,616 SqFt 0.371 Acres
$675,000
Active
1807 Drakestone Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
5 Beds 3 Baths 3,498 SqFt 0.370 Acres
$650,000
Active
1722 Coventry Lane Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
4 Beds 3 Baths 3,141 SqFt 0.281 Acres
$649,900
Active
1114 Huntington Avenue Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
3 Beds 3.1 Baths 3,330 SqFt 0.284 Acres
$643,000
Active
1604 Drakestone Avenue Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
3 Beds 3.1 Baths 3,859 SqFt 0.326 Acres
$625,000
Active
1108 Huntington Avenue Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
4 Beds 2.1 Baths 2,970 SqFt 0.265 Acres
$589,700
Active
6408 AVALON Lane Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
3 Beds 2.1 Baths 2,350 SqFt 0.220 Acres
$575,000
Active
1808 Dorchester Place Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
4 Beds 3 Baths 3,545 SqFt 0.350 Acres
$550,000
Active
1121 Belford Avenue Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
3 Beds 2.1 Baths 3,315 SqFt 0.295 Acres
$510,000
Active
1101 Larchmont Lane Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
3 Beds 3 Baths 2,524 SqFt 0.415 Acres
$499,900
Active
1123 Hemstead Place Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
3 Beds 2.1 Baths 2,547 SqFt 0.284 Acres
$499,900
Active
1730 NW 63rd Street Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
3 Beds 3.1 Baths 2,671 SqFt 0.261 Acres
$499,000
Active
6400 Avalon Lane Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
2 Beds 2 Baths 1,865 SqFt 0.234 Acres
$469,900
Active
1209 NW 63rd Street Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
3 Beds 2 Baths 1,984 SqFt 0.310 Acres
$430,000
Active
1716 Huntington Avenue Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
3 Beds 2.1 Baths 2,199 SqFt 0.220 Acres
$415,000
Active
1710 Windsor Place Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
3 Beds 2 Baths 2,100 SqFt 0.155 Acres
$399,000
Active
1117 Tedford Way Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
4 Beds 4 Baths 2,619 SqFt 0.207 Acres
$389,000
Active
1714 Huntington Avenue Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
3 Beds 2 Baths 1,622 SqFt 0.250 Acres
$385,000
Active
1832 Drakestone Avenue Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
3 Beds 3 Baths 2,462 SqFt 0.272 Acres
$349,000
Active
1601 Randel Road Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
2 Beds 2.1 Baths 2,238 SqFt 0.330 Acres