History

A land man and a geologist working for Huber Oil in Oklahoma City in early 1963 found a Mortgage banker to back their venture in real estate. Edmond had a population of about 9,000 in those days and 15th St. had more hills than are apparent now. The area east of Bryant was largely undeveloped with unpaved roads. A little past 15th & Coltrane was a dirt trail leading back into some trees and a sand pit. This area was also a lover's lane for the college students who had cars.

Luther Marks, one time Mayor of Edmond, and C. E. Annear owned 55 acres in this location. Milton Deason, the landman, saw in the Sunday Newspaper where the property was for sale. He called his neighbor, friend and co-worker, geologist, 
Mike Vance. He suggested they drive up and take a look. They jumped in their car and drove up to Edmond and over that hilly road. They really liked what they saw but at first didn't know what to do with the 55 acres. Marks agreed to a price of $17,500 some $320/acre.

Now it was time to find a Mortgage banker to loan them money. Oh yes, the Huber secretary's husband, V. M. Harry, had a mortgage company named Midland Mortgage. Harry told Mike and Milton "If you two are dumb enough to take this on I am dumb enough to finance it".

In November 1963, Huber transferred Milton to Midland, TX. He was reluctant to go but knew he had to.
In January 1964 Mike Vance called Milton Deason and told him Neal McCaleb wanted to buy the property. Neither Milton nor Mike wanted to sell and wanted to build their homes there so they brought Neal into the deal. The arrangement resulted with each owning a 1/3 interest of the original 55 acres.

Neal, who graduated from OSU in civil engineering, took on planning, engineering, and subdividing the 55acres into 25 lots. He built and named the streets, secured utilities and the other things that needed to be done. With Neal McCaleb Company name being Arrowhead Developers and the hilly terrain of the development area the Arrowhead Hills name was inevitable.

It's not certain when the real early residents homesteaded just east of Coltrane. The remains of their root cellar is still visible and is typical of what an early homesteader was looking for, streams, woods for game, land to farm and enjoy. Early Arrowhead residents can tell you of the quail, rabbits, deer and other creatures who made this area their home. Boy Scouts found it a great place to camp out.

What a busy year 1964 must have been. Things were moving forward with clearing and construction of streets. The Vance's, Deason's, and McCaleb's each selected lots and the remainder of the 55 acres was divided into 2 acre +I-lots. These lots were put up for sale at about $4,000 to 5,000 each. Mike and Carolyn Vance as well as Neal and Georgann McCaleb began building their home at that time.

Neal was given the task of building and naming the Streets. Obliviously the first 2 streets were named Deason and Vance and were blacktopped.

Carolyn Vance said the developers had to entice OGE & ONG to bring in electricity and gas. ONG had to be paid a fee for bringing their line to Arrowhead Hills. This fee was to be later returned if the development continued to grow. Edmond Electric would not bring power or water to the proposed subdivision since it was so far removed from town. OGE later agreed and still maintains lines in Arrowhead Hills I & 2. All the lots needed water wells and septic tanks. Things progressed at a rate that the Vance's, the first inhabitants, moved in on April 22, 1965. The McCaleb house was built to sell and it was in the 1965 Parade of Homes. Georgann McCaleb informed Neal she wanted that house as their home and they moved-in in June 1965.

All but 3 lots in Arrowhead Hills 1 were sold in the first year the lots were put up for sell.

Red Bud and Wendell streets formed the: arteries for the second section of development which consisted of 26 acres. This area was developed from 1967 to 1969 and extended east from Vance to the end of the property, Something like 50% of the original owners still live in the homes they built on Wendell. A rarity was spec homes in Arrowhead Hills, however 2 were built in this section. What is now Wendell St was originally SE 17 St? Wendell Frazier was killed in service and the street name was changed in his honor.

In March 1966 Mike and Milton decided to part ways with Huber and enter business on their own. The Deason's moved back to Edmond and rented a house in Henderson area. Shortly thereafter Pat and Milton began building their home and moved in on August 20, 1967.

As individuals moved into these 2 sections of Arrowhead Hills, the established residents would take them food and welcome them into the area that was lively with growing children. Originally these children boarded the school bus that took them to Russell Dougherty and to Clegern School.

As time went along, Arrowhead Hills 3, 4,5, & 6 were developed from additional properties that were bought south of the original 55 acres to 33rd St. and east of Coltrane. Arrowhead Hills development on the east ended East of Driftwood at the Henderson property (Arrowhead Trails). For these developments land was purchased from several parties including some elderly individuals who wanted to sell and enjoy the money. After land was purchased for the 3rd and 4th sections, development was initiated. The homes in these 2 sections were Yucca Cactus, Persimmon Creek, and Meadow View which was named for the meadow below one could see from this Street. These homes were built in 1970 to 1972. The Persimmon Creek name was chosen by Neal since the creek just east on Coltrane was loaded with persimmon trees. Edmond Electric serviced this Area because Cedar Oak, Old Farm and Tall Oaks were being developed.

During the early years when spring arrived, Georgann McCaleb would host a spring luncheon and the women would gather in the morning at someone's home for coffee and to listen to a speaker on landscaping, and other subjects, such as the care of a septic tank. These affairs ended as the group got too large.

Also early on, there were wonderful Fourth of July outings. These celebrations usually started with a pot luck meal. This was followed with swimming in someone's pool. The evening ended with a fireworks display over the lake made from the sand pit which was behind the Vance's. It is reported that the Old Farm Addition (west across Coltrane) even had a parade on the 4th of July. These activities came to an end with all the new people moving in and less control over the fireworks.

About this same time, there was consideration given to building a swimming pool near the Wendell and Vance intersection. After some studies it was decided that the cost and liability out weighted the advantages. The property was then sold.

In the mid 70s thru 1980 the last section of Arrowhead Hills, number 7, was developed. This development is from Arrowhead west to Coltrane on both sides of 32nd. Interesting one of the major land acquisition in this area was from Hogan and that's the reason for the Hogan Court name. At this time Neal McCaleb had other ventures going and decided not to enter in with Mike & Milton in this development. Also it was decided to develop this area on smaller lots with spec homes.

As most subdivisions there have many great people move in and out. Arrowhead Hills has some 40 homes still occupied by the original owners. From the initial development to 1910 Edmond doubled in size and doubled again by 1980. At one time Edmond was the fastest growing city in the USA.

Some remember the com field in the meadow for which Meadow View Road is named. It has been mentioned that this com was used for producing the mash for a "still" that was located in the Old Farm Area.

Later the area east of the original development south of 15th Street and bounded on the south by the 2nd stage of development of Arrowhead Hills development was developed by Bob Turner and named Arrowhead Valley.