In our century
In July 1935, Oklahoma City, Okla., became the first city in the United States to install parking meters, and the next month, The American City reported on the city’s pilot installation of the devices, which were conceived and manufactured by the locally based Dual Parking Meter Co. The city marked off curbs in 20-foot lengths and placed nearly 200 meters at spots in the downtown business district. Motorists deposited a nickel to park up to one hour. The devices replaced the need for officers to manually enforce parking rules, which reduced human error and confrontations with drivers, and the designated parking spots permitted plenty of room for drivers to maneuver their vehicles in and out of spots without denting other cars.
The January 1936 edition of the magazine featured an account of Oklahoma City’s meter experience, written by City Manager O.M. Mosier. Mosier explained a legal challenge the city faced after installing the meters, which was quickly resolved in district court by a ruling that the meters did not impair residents’ right to free use of the streets, and held “that ‘use’ means ‘travel’ and that ‘parking,’ which can be prohibited all together, may be regulated and a fee charged.” With that ruling, the city contracted for more meters to install downtown. In the first few months, Oklahoma City collected approximately $2,000 monthly from all the meters. “The steady flow of nickels has been pleasing to the city’s financial officials,” Mosier wrote.
Seeking to resolve similar parking problems on city streets, other cities quickly adopted meters in downtown areas. By November 1938, The American City reported that 85 cities, large and small, had installed the devices and were practically unanimous in testifying to the helpfulness of the meters in solving their parking problems. In fact, R.J. Christ, secretary to the mayor of Zanesville, Ohio, was asked, “Along what lines do you feel your parking meter might be improved?” He replied, “By installing more meters.”
Previous “In our century” Stories
- In our century — April 1910
Cities organize July Fourth events, regulate fireworks to reduce Independence Day injuries and deaths - In our century — May 1915
Cities seize revenue-generating opportunities to provide ice and refrigeration to residents and businesses - In our century — May 1914
Officials invest in maps to guide public projects, improve city administration and communicate plans to the public - In our century — September 1915
Technology develops to ensure the safe movement of trains, cars and emergency vehicles through city streets - In our century — July 1914
Among the early efforts to improve public health, cities invent and seek weapons of mass fly destruction - In our century — August 1913
When bond issues fail, cities seek alternative funding for infrastructure improvements and other public projects - In our century — August 1914
Cities improve cleanliness and public health by strategically placing public restrooms and encouraging their use - In our century — December 1914
Cities begin the tradition of decorating enormous public Christmas trees to celebrate the holidays - In our century — June 1910
Government accounting methods and reports mature from vague and incomplete records to standard formats. - In our century — October 1909
Investigations into corruption and mismanagement lead to (some) reforms in government policies and operations. - In our century — January 1913
Cities experiment with road surfaces and set out methods for funding road construction and maintenance. - In our century — September 1909
Limits on outdoor advertising are set through cities’ hard-fought battles over billboard sizes, messages and locations. - In our century — August 1911
Fire departments gain authority, modern equipment to prevent and improve response times to structure fires. - In our century — June 1910
Street lights become symbols of communities’ economic success, and lighting technology efficiency evolves. - In our century — September 1909
With urban growth comes city leaders’ desire to control and direct it for the community’s greatest benefit. - In our century — September 1909
Cities embrace playgrounds as valuable public assets for children’s safety, health and social development. - In our century — September 1909
Women embrace public causes, work to improve their communities and expand their societal roles. - In our century — March 1910
Cities develop methods, mechanisms and regulations for residential solid waste collection and disposal. - In our century — November 1909
Occupancy laws and social workers emerge in the early 1900s to clean up inner-city neighborhoods. - The way we were
Publisher’s son remembers American City & County‘s roots.