Rachel Hopkin

Producer and Reporter, How Curious Podcast and Special Projects at KGOU Radio (Oklahoma City, OK)

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Articles

What is the Prairie House and how did it become part of the Oklahoma landscape?

1 week ago | kgou.org | Rachel Hopkin

The Prairie House - which stands a few miles outside of Norman, OK - was the creation of architect Herb Greene and completed in 1961. It's been variously likened to a bird, a bison, a steeple, a shed, a boat, a haystack, among other things. It's also been hailed as “an excellent example of organic architecture”, an embodiment of the American School of Architecture, and a masterpiece. It's been in private hands and largely hidden for many years, but now it's in the process of being restored.
How come the parking meter was invented in Oklahoma?

1 month ago | kgou.org | Rachel Hopkin

In this month’s How Curious, host Rachel Hopkin looks into how, when, and why the parking meter was invented here in Oklahoma City back in the 1930s. In the course of her investigation she learns about the polymath behind it, inventive reactions to its installation such as tying a horse to the meter post and paying for the metered spot for a game of bridge, and some beautiful women in golden bikinis. Download/view the episode transcript here.
Why is Oklahoma such a challenging place to live for seasonal allergy sufferers?

2 months ago | kgou.org | Rachel Hopkin

Every year, the Asthma and Allergies Foundation of America puts out an Allergy Capital report which ranks the top 100 large cities in the U.S. if you suffer from pollen-based seasonal allergies. Oklahoma City and Tulsa regularly make the top 10 and this year they take the No. 3 and 4 spots, respectively.
What Oklahoma City institution has over 1500 strings attached?

Feb 24, 2025 | kgou.org | Rachel Hopkin

Nestled in the heart of Bricktown is a remarkable tribute to some of the most innovative and influential figures—and instruments—in music history. Join How Curious host and producer Rachel Hopkin in her exploration of the world-class American Banjo Museum. Download the episode's transcript here.
What Oklahoma City institution began as a collection of roadkill?

Oct 28, 2024 | kgou.org | Rachel Hopkin

KGOU thanks all the contributors to this How Curious episode: Jay Villemarette, Ashley Mason-Burns-Meerschaert, Carey Welsh, Clark Griffith, and Tyler Addison. In addition, we thank all of the staff at the Museum of Osteology whose voices didn’t appear in this episode. How Curious is a KGOU Public Radio production. Rachel Hopkin is its host and producer, the Managing Editor is Logan Layden, and David Graey composed the theme music.
Which Oklahoman Got a Hippopotamus for Christmas?

Nov 6, 2023 | kgou.org | Rachel Hopkin

I’m Rachel Hopkin – host and producer of How Curious - and this episode is about a local girl with a belter of a voice, several hippopotamuses, some zoo history, and a hit song. The song is called “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.” The Jonas Brothers sometimes perform it in concert and it’s been recorded by multiple artists, including LeAnn Rimes. But by far the best known version remains the one cut by a young Oklahoman named Gayla Peevey in 1953 - 70 years ago this year.
What ghostly goings-on take place at Kendall's Restaurant? (Encore)

Oct 30, 2023 | kgou.org | Rachel Hopkin

Kendall’s Restaurant has been a fixture of downtown Noble, Oklahoma, since the mid 1980s, and for most of its existence, Kim Lock and Dee Downer have been co-owners. The place is well known for its comfort food menu – including massive chicken fried steaks and wonderfully fresh cinnamon rolls.
Why is OKC central to the Morgan horse world? (Encore)

Oct 23, 2023 | kgou.org | Rachel Hopkin

HOW CURIOUS EPISODE: Oklahoma and the Morgan HorseEvery year since 1975, the annual Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show has drawn hundreds of horses and thousands of humans to Oklahoma City’s State Fair Park. However, until shortly before I moved to Norman, Oklahoma, in 2022 to join KGOU, I’d never heard of a Morgan horse.
Which Oklahoma community was "America's Model City" in 1951 and how did the Shetland pony help it grow?

Oct 16, 2023 | kgou.org | Rachel Hopkin

I’m Rachel Hopkin and in today’s KGOU’s How Curious episode – how did Oklahoma’s Midwest City became “America’s Model City?” And how on earth did the Shetland Pony help that City to grow? On December 29th, 1940, President Roosevelt broadcast to the nation. In his speech, he stated that “People of Europe who are defending themselves do not ask us to do their fighting. They ask us for the implements of war: the planes, the tanks, the guns.
Who are the Germans from Russia in Oklahoma?

Oct 9, 2023 | kgou.org | Rachel Hopkin

Welcome to KGOU’s How Curious. I’m Rachel Hopkin and the question I’m seeking to answer in today’s episode is “Who are the Germans from Russia in Oklahoma?”. A lady named Harriett Wahler who suggested this subject. She’s a member of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia (AHSGR) Central Oklahoma Chapter, and when I met her at a recent meeting, she explained why she’d suggested this subject: “People just don’t know we’re here. There are a lot of us. And we don’t get counted.