On November 2, 1926, the citizens of Oklahoma City changed their City forever. Voting for a new charter, residents formally divided the City’s responsibilities. The Mayor and City Council would continue to establish policy, but the City’s daily affairs would now be run by a City Manager.

The responsibility of this newly-created position fell to the hands of Edmond M. Fry. Great expectations awaited Fry, as noted by John W. Teter, then-Vice President of First National Bank of Oklahoma City: “Everywhere I go I hear excellent reports about Ed Fry. I believe he is a fine man, a keen judge of men and an efficient business man who will make Oklahoma City a real manager.”

Stepping into office on April 14, 1927, two days after the seating of Mayor Walter Dean, E.M. Fry would serve four years as city manager, during which time the City’s deficit was paid, taxes were reduced, and the budget was balanced.

Moreover, Fry witnessed the City’s first energy boom when, in December 1928, the Indian Territory Illuminating Oil Company hit oil for the first time in the Oklahoma City Oil Field.

Teter was right in his estimation. As the first City Manager, Edmond Fry went down in history as an intelligent and concerned officer who set the right tone for his position.