Shepherd Mall
A former enclosed shopping mall in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, that later became primarily an office and mixed-use complex.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Shepherd Mall was a shopping mall in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States, and the city’s first fully enclosed indoor shopping mall. It opened to the public on November 5, 1964, after approximately one and a half years of construction by Harmon Construction Company. The development introduced a climate-controlled retail environment to Oklahoma City and attracted considerable local attention, including descriptions of the building as creating its own weather because shoppers could experience an indoor environment separate from the region’s variable outdoor conditions. The mall occupied land associated with the Shepherd family. George Shepherd had claimed a 160-acre homestead during the 1889 Oklahoma Land Run. Much of that property was developed as a residential subdivision in the early 1930s; the area is now associated with the Shepherd Historic District. Members of the Shepherd family continued living in the original homestead house after the surrounding land was developed for other purposes. As the mall expanded, the house became surrounded by the shopping center’s parking area. The family residence remained in place until 1970 and was later moved in 1987 to the Harn Homestead historic site near the Oklahoma State Capitol. During its retail peak, Shepherd Mall accommodated a combination of regional, national, and independent tenants. Anchor and major-store occupants included Oklahoma-based retailers TG&Y and Kerr’s, as well as McCrory’s, Dillard’s, and J.C. Penney. Some spaces later associated with Dillard’s, John A. Brown, and related retail operations reflected changes in the Oklahoma department-store market over time. The mall also contained smaller specialty shops, restaurants, and service businesses. El Charrito was among the better-known food establishments associated with the center. Other tenants at various times included a travel agency, a bank, and a credit union. The complex also had a two-screen movie theater for part of its history. Like many older enclosed malls, Shepherd Mall faced a gradual decline as retail patterns changed and competing commercial districts developed. By 2003, all of its anchor stores had closed. The property was consequently well advanced in a transition away from its original function as a conventional shopping mall and toward use as an office-oriented complex. In 2017, the complex was renamed Shepherd Center, a change intended to reflect its current role and tenant mix. The former mall building continues to accommodate government and corporate occupants, but the Shepherd Mall retail brand is no longer active as a conventional shopping-center destination.
History
Shepherd Mall developed on land connected to the history of the Shepherd family and Oklahoma City’s late nineteenth-century settlement. George Shepherd claimed a 160-acre homestead during the 1889 Oklahoma Land Run. During the early 1930s, much of the homestead was converted into a residential development that is now known as the Shepherd Historic District. The original Shepherd family house survived these changes, with family members continuing to occupy it even after commercial development began to reshape the surrounding area. The mall was constructed by Harmon Construction Company over a period of roughly eighteen months. Its grand opening took place on November 5, 1964. As Oklahoma City’s first fully enclosed indoor shopping mall, Shepherd Mall received significant local attention. Its enclosed, climate-controlled design was a notable departure from the open-air retail formats that had previously been common in the city. Contemporary local descriptions emphasized the unusual indoor environment by portraying the mall as a place that could create its own weather. At its height, Shepherd Mall served as a broad retail and services destination. Its tenant base included major department stores and discount or variety retailers such as TG&Y, Kerr’s, McCrory’s, Dillard’s, and J.C. Penney. The center also offered smaller stores, restaurants, and service businesses. El Charrito became one of its recognized restaurants, while other occupants included a travel agency, a bank, and a credit union. A two-screen cinema operated at the mall for part of its history, adding an entertainment component to the retail mix. The mall’s later history followed a pattern common to older enclosed shopping centers. Changes in consumer behavior, competition from newer retail locations, and the changing economics of department-store anchors weakened the original tenant structure. By 2003, every anchor store had closed. The property was then well into a transition from a conventional shopping mall to a complex primarily occupied by offices and other non-retail tenants. The relationship between the mall and the original Shepherd homestead also changed. The old Shepherd family house remained surrounded by the mall parking lot until 1970. In 1987, the building was moved to the Harn Homestead historic site near the state capitol, preserving it separately from the commercial property. In 2017, the complex was renamed Shepherd Center. The new name reflected the building’s contemporary function, which included government and corporate tenants rather than the large collection of retail anchors that had defined Shepherd Mall during its heyday. The Shepherd Mall name therefore describes the property’s historic retail era, while Shepherd Center represents its later office- and commercial-use identity.
- 2017
Complex renamed Shepherd Center
[1]The property changed its name to Shepherd Center to represent its contemporary government and corporate tenant base.
- 2003
Anchor-store era ends
[1]All of the mall's anchor stores had closed, and the complex was increasingly transitioning toward office use.
- 1987
Homestead house moved to Harn Homestead
[1]The former Shepherd family home was moved to the Harn Homestead historic site near the Oklahoma State Capitol.
- 1970
Shepherd family house leaves the mall site
[1]The original Shepherd family house, which had remained surrounded by the mall parking lot, was moved away from the site after 1970.
- 1964
Shepherd Mall opens
[1]After roughly eighteen months of construction by Harmon Construction Company, Shepherd Mall opened on November 5 as Oklahoma City's first fully enclosed indoor shopping mall.
- 1930
Much of the homestead becomes a residential addition
[1]Much of the original homestead was developed as a housing addition, now known as the Shepherd Historic District.
- 1889
Shepherd family homestead established
[1]George Shepherd claimed a 160-acre homestead during the Oklahoma Land Run, land that later became associated with the mall site and the surrounding historic district.
Products and positioning
A pioneering Oklahoma City enclosed shopping mall that evolved from a regional retail destination into an office- and tenant-oriented commercial complex.
Retail · 1964
Department-store retail
Shepherd Mall's principal commercial offering was its collection of department-store anchors and major retailers. Tenants identified with the mall included TG&Y, Kerr's, McCrory's, Dillard's, and J.C. Penney, providing apparel, household goods, general merchandise, and other mass-market products.
Retail · 1964
Specialty shops
The enclosed center also accommodated smaller retail stores serving shoppers with specialty merchandise and convenience purchases. The available reference material does not identify a complete tenant directory, but specialty retail formed part of the mall's broader tenant mix during its operating period.
Food service · 1964
Restaurants and food services
Food service was part of Shepherd Mall's shopping and social experience. El Charrito was among the restaurants associated with the property, alongside other food and refreshment businesses that operated during the mall's retail era.
Services and entertainment · 1964
Services and entertainment
In addition to retail, the complex hosted service businesses such as a travel agency, bank, and credit union. A two-screen movie theater also operated there for a period, giving the mall an entertainment function beyond shopping.
Brand decisions
2017
Rename the property Shepherd CenterStrategyBackground
The former mall had shifted away from anchor-based retail and was increasingly occupied by government and corporate tenants.
Action taken
The complex was renamed Shepherd Center to align its identity with its current office- and commercial-oriented use.
Aftermath
Shepherd Mall remained the historical name for the retail-era property, while Shepherd Center became the name associated with its later tenant mix.
Recent events
- 2017
Shepherd Mall complex renamed Shepherd Center[1]
Other
The property adopted the Shepherd Center name to reflect its contemporary use by government and corporate tenants.
- 2003
Shepherd Mall transitions away from anchor-based retail[1]
Other
By 2003, all of the mall's anchor stores had closed, and the property was increasingly being used as an office-oriented complex rather than a traditional shopping mall.
- 1964
Shepherd Mall opens as Oklahoma City's first fully enclosed indoor shopping mall[1]
Other
The mall held its grand opening on November 5, 1964, introducing Oklahoma City to a fully enclosed indoor shopping format.
Sources1 sources
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