In honor of one of Claremore’s most famous sons, the city council unanimously voted on Tuesday, Sept. 7 to name an eight-block portion of downtown, The Lilac District. Lynn Riggs, who was born in Claremore on Aug. 31, 1899, penned many important works including the play Green Grow the Lilacs, which was the basis for the landmark musical Oklahoma!.

As part of the comprehensive districting process which began in 2018, the City of Claremore and Claremore Main Street selected The Lilac District for its rich history and cultural relevance to Claremore.

“Lynn Riggs was an important figure in American history, and Claremore is honored to recognize his contributions as a poet, author and playwright,” said John Feary, Claremore City Manager.  “As part of the continued revitalization in our downtown, we look forward to bringing back long-standing traditions like the Lilac Festival.”

The Lilac District will feature new parking and street signage, updates to the downtown map, the development of outdoor spaces and the addition of moveable parklets, which provide outdoor space for dining and shopping.

“The Lilac District is another exciting step forward in the growth of our historic downtown district,” said Jacob Garrison, Executive Director of Claremore Main Street.  “We are grateful to the Claremore City Council for approving this project and for those who have contributed their time to see this idea become a reality. We especially appreciate the work of committee volunteers and our signage partner, Claremore Signs.”

The Claremore Museum of History has among the largest collection of Lynn Riggs memorabilia in the nation with plans underway to expand it in conjunction with the growth of The Lilac District. More information is available at claremoremoh.org. Visit downtownclaremore.org and visitclaremore.org for more information about opportunities to shop, dine and explore Claremore.