You know what they say: as Falls Wichita, so falls Wichita Falls. Over 100 thousand souls. Fun tourist note: "A flood in 1886 destroyed the original falls on the Wichita River for which the city was named. After nearly 100 years of visitors wanting to visit the nonexistent falls, the city built an artificial waterfall beside the river in Lucy Park. 

A hundred years, and no one got the memo?

I dropped in at random, and was thrown back to the mythical Arabia of the late 60s!

This was not a popular style. It’s possible that the building originally had a purpose related to the style; it’s possible they were just trying this out to see if it worked.

It didn’t.

It's not a welcoming place, is it?

We’ll hit you with the OUMB off the top, and it’s a chunky little fellow, isn’t it?

Yes, definitely the wrong era for a building boom.

That overhang was a hallmark of the era. I don’t know what mood it was supposed to provide. Certainly not anything elevated. FILGO

Google Filgo, and you’ll learn about the building built by G. W. Filgo. The more I read, the more I was confused; this seems to describe a much bigger building. Well:

This is the 1929 building. The little blue one was around the corner.

Whew! Figured that one out!

Always nice when we come across a theater early on in the wanderings; suggests they might be more than one.

Built in 1908; hasn’t shown a movie since 1980. “It is still open and operating as a performing arts center.”

Interesting quilted front. Hey, that sign looks interesting - let’s see!

Now you know why I’m not always a big enthusiast about downtown trees.

Those eyebrows overhangs . . .

. . . and the busted bricks above to betray its true face.

No comment.

You'll see two identical entrances, if you look for them.

Hmm.

What a peculiar facade, in every possible way.

The windows are usually a giveaway for a certain store. Do you know which one?

That’s my suspicion, anyway. No, I didn’t say what it was.

One third interesting . . .

. . . two thirds wretched.

Here I can’t say if the tree detract, or help salve the wound.

I like the glass-and-steel part, but the brick doesn’t work, and the base is too small.

Why didn’t the architect at the time realize how puny the base would look?

You can see why I want to do a second visit to the city:

More on the next page.