The "Bricktown Octopus" by Jack Fowler, now on display on the northside alley wall of the Chevy Bricktown Event Center, represents a departure from the historic art that dominated the district for the past three decades. [Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman]

The very first mural in Bricktown disappeared more than 25 years ago, but like most art in the district, it was decidedly tilted toward showing off the area's history.

It was 1982 and Neal Horton was just a couple of years into his redevelopment of the forgotten collection of decades-old brick warehouses just east of the Central Business District. Horton saw art as a means to generate interest in the district, which he envisioned as an old town destination with restaurants, shops, condominiums, offices and a bed-and-breakfast.

Horton spent six months planning the mural with art students and professionals at Oklahoma City University.

The first mural, displayed at Walnut and Sheridan Avenues, depicted the Armstrong Hardware Co., one of the early firms to locate in the old Military addition, where U.S. Army troops camped to keep order after the 1889 Land Run. The mural showed an elderly man and woman, dressed in their 1910 best, about to enter Armstrong's door.