“The Rose Rock Capital of the World”
From the flower on its flag to the festival in its honor, Noble takes its distinction as the Rose Rock Capital of the World seriously. “It’s what we’re known for,” says Terri Caldwell, the owner of NextHome Simply Real Estate in Noble. “We’re pretty passionate about it. It just promotes a lot of camaraderie in the community.” And while the rose rocks bring people in, the small-town atmosphere just minutes from the larger Oklahoma City metro area keeps them there.
Local favorites like Kendall’s
Noble’s Main Street has gone through some tough times recently like many others, but many of its staples have been around for a long time. Kendall’s Restaurant has been around for over 30 years and serves Southern specialties, including its Chicken Fried Steak Challenge. “If you mention Kendall’s anywhere in Oklahoma, there will be people saying, ‘Hey, I traveled there,’” Caldwell says. Across Main Street is Tiffany’s, a breakfast spot known for its generous portions. Just a block away, the Noble Pharmacy is another local landmark for both daily essentials and novelty gifts. Residents needing groceries stop by Super C Mart, just north of downtown.
Rose Rock Music Festival
Noble embraces its claim as the Rose Rock Capital of the World with the Rose Rock Music Festival held annually in May. On top of the music, the town hosts a parade, carnival rides and food and craft vendors around Noble’s City Hall. “Rose Rock is a huge festival that comes along each year,” Caldwell says. “There’s really something for everybody.”
An uptick in new construction in Noble
With Noble’s growing population, there has been plenty of new construction over the last few years. “There have been several new additions added in town,” Caldwell says. “There’s actually another one going up now.” Most of these new houses feature a contemporary craftsman style with cross-gabled roofs starting from the mid-$300,000s. In the city, ranches and bungalows occupy spacious lots on gridded streets. Smaller than the new homes if more convenient, these were generally built between the 1950s and 1970s and tend to sell in the mid-$100,000s.
Education at Noble Public Schools
Residents of Noble send their kids to the Noble Public Schools system, which Niche gave a B grade. Students start their journey at Katherine I. Daily Elementary School for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten before moving on to John K. Hubbard Elementary School for grades one through three, with both schools receiving a B grade. Next up is Pioneer Intermediate Elementary School, graded a B-plus, for fourth and fifth grade. Students then attend Curtis Inge Middle School for sixth through eighth grade, given a B grade, before finally enrolling at Noble High School. The B-minus-rated school features a robust athletics program, including football, basketball, volleyball, soccer and even e-sports.
Noble parks for kids and adults alike
The city of Noble offers plenty of outdoor spaces for residents to utilize. Dane Park features a jungle gym, picnic pavilion and a splash pad for kids to cool off during the summer. Locals can play disc golf or walk through the woods at King Park, just across the street. And north of town, residents walk alongside Berry Creek and can view historic sites like the abandoned Santa Fe Railroad Bridge at Riley Park.
Easy trip to the Oklahoma City metro area
Noble has not traditionally been very walkable, but that may be changing. Over the last 15 years, the city has begun constructing more sidewalks to make the walk to school safer for kids. But aside from that and a two-block stretch of sidewalk on Main Street, the neighborhood drives just about everywhere. Following Route 77 north is Norman, home to the University of Oklahoma, and downtown Oklahoma City is 40 minutes away.
