1914~McAlester, Oklahoma~GRAND AVENUE~BUSBY HOTEL~SHOPS~BRIDGE~Claycomb,Gowen,OK For Sale

Miss Lucile Claycomb, Gowen, Okla. c/o M. M. Claycomb

"McAlester, Okla. Hello little girl, How are you this morning? I am O.K. and having a good time. Hope to see you soon. Lovingly yours, Aunt Emma"

The Buildings on Grand Avenue

The front of the postcard displays a view looking down Grand Avenue (now known as Carl Albert Parkway) in downtown McAlester, Oklahoma:

• The Large Red Brick Building (Right Foreground): This prominent structure on the right side of the street is the Busby Hotel (also historically associated with the Busby Theatre block), which was one of McAlester's premier luxury hubs and architectural anchors during the early 20th century.
• The Commercial Blocks (Left Foreground): The multi-story brick buildings lining the left side represent the heart of downtown McAlester's early economic center, historically featuring retail businesses, banks, and professional offices.
• The Background Vista: Further down the dirt road, a bridge crossing over the railway tracks can be seen, heading towards North McAlester.The bridge seen down the road on the postcard is the historic Horsey Bridge.

  History of the Overpass

  • Purpose: It was constructed as an iron and steel truss overhead bridge to allow horse-drawn carriages, streetcars, and pedestrians to safely cross over the bustling Missouri-Kansas-Texas (M-K-T or "Katy") Railroad tracks. The tracks physically split the town, and the bridge connected the newer commercial center of downtown McAlester with the historic community of North McAlester.