Description:
Allen Street was born on June 17, 1885 in Mexia, Texas. His family moved to Oklahoma City when he was a child. He left the state to attend school at Vanderbilt University, but returned in 1907 to open a funeral home. Street would enter politics in 1919 and go on to serve five terms in the state house of representatives, serving as speaker of the house in 1928. He left politics temporarily after losing an Oklahoma County legislative race, only to find out later that a counting error had been made. Had the error not been made, he would have won the election. By that time however, it was too late, as his opponent had already been declared the winner. After a decade out of public office, Street returned to politics to serve on the city council before being elected mayor, an office he would fill for a dozen years, making him the first mayor elected to three terms. Rarely seen without his trademark bowtie, Street had an open door policy during his time as mayor, allowing any citizen that wished to come and visit him with their problems or complaints. During his time as mayor, the city also established a new fairground at NW 10th and May Avenue. Allen Street died on May 10, 1969 at the age of 83. He is buried at Fairlawn Cemetery.