So I don't know how many people are into a historically accurate Coyle, but for those interested a video was just uploaded to YouTube showing footage of what life was like in Blackwell (and surrounding areas) during the 30s and 40s. If our estimated birth year of 1923 holds water, that would put Coyle in his childhood to teenage years
I've got to say 30s/40s Blackwell was not at all what I was expecting. I knew their industry was built mostly around oil and agriculture, and I hadn't really given much thought to what people did for fun outside of going to the movies or picnicking in the park. I suppose in my ignorance, I was expecting... well, rural stereotypes. After all, that's what the game keeps trying to have us believe about Coyle.
But guys. Blackwell had speedboats. And multiple nearby water parks. That's just wild to me.
I'm not going to post a bunch of pictures, because I want people to go and watch the video for themselves, but here are some things that stood out as important
Blackwell PD and fire department still share the same building in the present day, though city hall has moved to premises on the opposite side of the road. I don't want to post a bunch of Google Maps screenshots, but I wholeheartedly recommend taking a virtual wander around the buildings exterior to get a feel for the place
So just looking at those uniforms shows that Coyle would not have been wearing the black, military inspired police uniform we see him wearing in his comic appearances. Even in the 30s/40s they'd moved onto wearing shirts and ties.
History is awesome! Here is 100 years of our Blackwell Police Department! 1923-2023
This image depicts the founding lineup of the Blackwell Police Department in 1923, and as you can see, even then, they weren't wearing military-inspired uniforms. I haven't been able to find anything similar to what Coyle wears throughout the BPD's history. But what is cool to note is that they've always had a motorcycle, so that's fun. Nothing relevant there, I just thought I'd mention it because I've seen people draw Coyle as a motorcycle cop, and it's completely plausible that he was!
One thing that sticks out to me, is how tiny the BPD force is? In the 1930s census, 9,521 people were living in Blackwell, but fewer than 10 police officers by the look of it. Coyle must feel downright spoiled in his trial environments, having such a big precinct and so many staff on hand, useless as they are, standing around like a bunch of mannequins.
Though truth be told, I would have expected Coyle to be freaking out at the amount of female police officer mannequins in his trials. I've no idea when women were first initiated into the BPD, I can't find any information on it, but the first women to join the Oklahoma City police force did so in August 1955. Coyle was scooped up by Murkoff post-February 1956, so he would know about "lady policemen", but I can't for one second imagine him approving of the concept.
Comic Coyle and the New Mexico State Police uniform that they slapped onto him for reference.
I'm SO looking forward to the day we get a remake of the first two comics. I'm hoping for something that takes history into account, even if Outlast runs on an alternate history to our own
