Our story Continues…
After contributing to the growth of the brand-new city of Norman, Pryor Adkins ultimately relocated our family south of the South Canadian River in the Chickasaw Nation now known as the town of Goldsby. He described the land as "beautiful indeed with acres of wildflowers…and pasture land for miles and miles, where wild animals roamed." This was the paradise he sought for his own homestead. Through their lease with the Chickasaw Nation, the family acquired several thousand acres of grazing land, and built a log home on the hill in the middle of their new "paradise." Below their Hill on the South Canadian, Adkins and his boys established a ferry business; the area was known for years as Adkins' Crossing. Eventually, the first bridge built across the river was at this crossing (24th Ave. SW).
As much as we loved the city of Norman and will always know where our story began, how ironic that in the year 2020, we again crossed the bridge to this quaint little town south of the South Canadian River in order to plant our roots. Very soon, Oklahomans can again enjoy the delicious tastes of coal-fired food just 10 minutes south of Norman, but that's not all. To this day, the land is still as beautiful as ever with acres and acres of preserved green space, fresh air, a slower pace of living, and a community that knows what life is truly about. Not only are we rebuilding our restaurant, we are creating an entire lifestyle surrounding the basic principles: Stop. Pause. Listen.
What’s behind the name?
Pryor's Pizza Kitchen finally meets an ever growing demand for coal-fired pizza in the Midwest and is proud to be OKC Metro's FIRST! The name itself as well as the interior of the restaurant, designed by Southwind Hills Home & Design, reflects the modern sensibilities of the surrounding area while also paying tribute to Cleveland and McClain County's storied past.
Pryor's Pizza is named for one of Norman's earliest prominent entrepreneurs and our Great-Great-Great Grandfather, Pryor V. Adkins. In 1873, in search of continuing economic opportunities, he moved our family to a camping place in "Norman's Camp" where he met and friended surveyor, Abner Norman. Before the opening of the unassigned lands to settlement in 1889, Pryor, along with several others, formed the Norman Townsite Company creating a map of the townsite so that each member could easily locate their desired town lots. On the day of the land run, Pryor acquired many town lots right on present day Main Street in Norman, including the spot where the Sooner Theater now stands. The Planters Hotel was established as one of Norman's first substantial businesses where soldiers stayed shortly after the run to maintain order in the new town. His other building, known as the Adkins-Welsh Rock Building at 208 W. Main, most notably housed the University of Oklahoma's first students until the University Hall was finished on campus in 1903. Pryor provided a foundation for our family to contribute to the financial success of the City of Norman that we know today and we couldn't be more proud to honor his legacy.