Edwards Community

Less than 4 miles northeast of the popular Deep Deuce and Bricktown districts of Downtown Oklahoma City is the small but increasingly vibrant Edwards Community. Named for Walter Edwards, a prominent early OKC entrepreneur, real estate developer and philanthropist, the neighborhood was originally part of a tract of land Edwards bought and developed in the late 1930s to provide much-needed housing opportunities for Black homeowners.

“The whole northeastern quadrant of the city is transitioning in a positive direction right now,” says Greg Ouren, a top Broker with Keller Williams Platinum. Nowhere in NEOKC embodies this period of transition quite like Edwards Community. Ouren: “You can drive down a few blocks and think to yourself, ‘Wow, these homes need some work,’ and then drive another block and find brand new beautiful homes.” Homebuyers, investors and developers alike are flocking to Edwards Community for its location and affordability.

You’ll find homes in Edwards Community built as long ago as the early 20th century and as recently as this year. Many of the new builds are Traditional or ranch-style bungalows, in keeping with the original aesthetic of the neighborhood. The market here is hot, in part because of the home prices. According to Ouren, “a lot of investors and investor-flippers are interested in Edwards Community, so homes don’t stay on the market long.” The median sale price of an unrenovated, three-bedroom midcentury cottage falls under the median price for a comparably sized home in the greater metro area, hovering around the $85,000 mark. The median sale price for a three- to four-bedroom Traditional-style new build is closer to $200,000.

Edwards Community’s proximity to Interstate 35, which runs down the center of the neighborhood, gives residents easy access to a plethora of retail, dining and entertainment options. Less than 4 miles north up I-35, there’s the OKC Zoo and National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in the Adventure District. Less than 2 miles away up I-35, there’s also the Oklahoma Railway Museum, where you can “experience history in motion” on one of four operational, historic locomotives. On your way, stop by Del Rancho off of 23rd Street at the northern end of the neighborhood. Residents have been enjoying the eatery’s famous chicken-fried Steak Sandwich Supreme for more than 60 years.

If you’re looking for 5-star restaurants and a sparkling nightlife scene, head about three miles southwest to Deep Deuce and the Bricktown District in Downtown OKC. There are “so many amazing restaurants in that part of town,” says Ouren, adding that Edwards Community is the perfect distance from downtown. “You’re close enough to take advantage of everything, but far enough that you don’t have to deal with the traffic,” he says.

Closer to home, outdoorsy residents can take in the fresh prairie air at the heart of the neighborhood in Edwards Park. Less than half a mile from most homes in the neighborhood, the park is a popular gathering place for residents of all ages. Its pavilion, with 11 picnic tables, is perfect for large gatherings, from birthday parties to family reunions. Sprawling, grassy ball fields and a classic concrete basketball court perfect for neighborhood tournaments overlook the colorful playground and Edwards Park Lake. Local anglers can fish for rainbow trout off of one of the two sunny docks perched on the waterfront.

Edwards Community students attend schools within the Oklahoma City Public Schools system. The Edwards Early Education and Community Hope Center, a Sunbeam Family Services affiliate, is nestled in the southwestern corner of the neighborhood. Established in 1907, Sunbeam is Oklahoma’s longest-serving social services agency. Today, the Hope Center serves vulnerable children and their families throughout the OKC community.

Many older students in Edwards Community attend Frederick Douglass High School, a mile and a half southwest of the neighborhood. Jazz musicians Charlie Christian and Jimmy Rushing both graduated from Douglass, which is still widely recognized by locals as having a stellar music program.

Written By

Megan Quintin

Photography Contributed By

Richard Waltemath

Video By

Daric Clarke