Cross at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City is removed

<br>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A 30-foot high white concrete cross has been removed from State Fair Park in Oklahoma City. <br><br>City Manager Jim Couch said he ordered the cross removed after getting two letters

Thursday, February 27th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A 30-foot high white concrete cross has been removed from State Fair Park in Oklahoma City.

City Manager Jim Couch said he ordered the cross removed after getting two letters that suggested the city could be sued for violating the U.S. Constitution's prohibition against state-sponsored religion.

The cross had been at fair park for about 40 years, but fair officials are not sure where it came from.

State fair historian Paul Strausbaugh said he does not know who donated the cross.

Photos from the 1950s show the cross standing in a flower garden east of the Arts Center, said fair director of marketing Bran Munz.

The cross will be placed in storage and eventually will be declared surplus material, then donated to a church or local organization, Couch said.