History of Tulsa, Oklahoma

This article traces the history of Tulsa, part of present day Oklahoma.

Indian Territory: 1830-1882

What was to ultimately become Tulsa was part of Indian Territory, which was created as part of the relocation of the Five Civilized Tribes - the Choctaw, Cherokee, Muscogee(Creek), Chickasaw, and Seminole peoples. These Native American tribes moved into the region after the passage of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, when they were forced to surrender their lands east of the Mississippi River to the federal government in exchange for land in Indian Territory. Each of the larger tribes was given extensive land holdings, individual governments were formed, and tribal members began new lives as farmers, trappers, and ranchers. The majority of the American Indians (including the numerous Creek and Cherokee settlers) came from the Southern states. During the Civil War, they largely favored the Confederacy, in part because of institution of slavery being common within the Five Civilized Tribes. Most of modern Tulsa is located in the Creek Nation, with parts located in the Cherokee Nation and Osage Nation.

The city now known as Tulsa was first settled by the Lochapoka (Turtle Clan) Muscogee(Creek) between 1828 and 1836. Driven from their native Alabama, the Lochapokas established a new home at a site near present-day Cheyenne Avenue and 18th Street. Under a large burr oak, now called the Creek Council Oak Tree, they rekindled their ceremonial fire. The Lochapoka named their new settlement "Tulasi," meaning "old town" in their native language. Not coincidentally, 'tulasi' is the same word from which Tallahassee, Florida takes its name. Florida is part of the original home of the Muscogee people.

An 1832 visit to the area by the famous American writer Washington Irving is described in his book "A Tour on the Prairies" (1835). Irving accompanied a U.S. Army exploration party on an excursion from Ft. Gibson west onto the prairie and the lands occupied by the Osage and Pawnee tribes. In it, he relates camping in a grove of large trees on the banks of the Arkansas River a few miles south of the present day Tulsa city-limits (now in the suburb of Bixby). Washington Irving Park sits near the location.

In 1846, Lewis Perryman built a log cabin trading post near what is now 33rd Street and South Rockford Avenue. Perryman, who was part Creek, established a business foothold in the rugged frontier until the Civil War. The Reconstruction period after the war contributed to the growth of the area; in 1879 the first post office opened, followed by the arrival of the railroad. By this time the area was known as 'Tulsey Town' and had grown to be a trading post and cattle town.

Railroads: 1882-1901

By August 1882 the population of Tulsa had reached 200 and in August of that year, the St. Louis and San Francisco Railway, later known as the Frisco, completed the extension of its line to Tulsa to serve the cattle business, the city's first industry.

The Hall brothers, James M. and Harry C., chose the point at which the railroad stopped. James M. Hall, who would later be referred to as the 'Father of Tulsa,' marked off Tulsa's first street, built its first permanent store, organized its first church, school, and government, and served as Tulsa's first interim Postmaster. The town was now referred to as 'Tulsey Town.' Throughout the 19th century, the Native American tribes were made to accept a number of treaties that further reduced the size of their lands and introduced new tribes into Indian Territory. White settlers continued to push forward, and in 1892 the land was officially opened and all tribal members were forced to accept individual allocations of land. By 1898, the city had a population of 1,100.

Oil boom: 1901-1907

Tulsa changed from a small frontier town to a boomtown with the discovery of oil in 1901 at Red Fork, a small community southwest of Tulsa. Wildcatters and investors flooded into the city and the town began to take shape. Neighborhoods were established in Tulsa on the north side of the Arkansas River, away from the drilling sites, and began to spread out from downtown Tulsa in all directions. In 1904, Tulsans constructed a bridge across the river, allowing oil field workers, supplies, food and equipment to cross the river, reaffirming Tulsa's position as the center of the oil field.

In 1905, the Glenn Pool oil field was discovered. This strike created such a large supply of crude oil that it forced Tulsans to develop storage tanks for the excess oil and gas and, later, pipelines. It also laid the foundation for Tulsa to become a leader in many businesses related to oil and gas, in addition to being the physical center of the growing petroleum industry. Eventually, Glenn Pool established Oklahoma as one of the leading petroleum producing regions in the United States. Many early oil companies chose Tulsa for their home base.

Statehood: 1907-1915

By the time Oklahoma achieved statehood in 1907, Tulsa had a population of 7,298.

Second oil boom: 1915-1930

By 1920 the population boomed to 72,000. Many of these new residents came from Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York. The second surge of oil discoveries occurred between 1915 and 1930, and firmly established Tulsa as the "Oil Capital of the World." Wealthy oilmen such as Waite Phillips, William Skelly and J. Paul Getty built stately mansions and beautiful modern headquarters. The prevalence of the Art Deco style of architecture during this period resulted in a treasure trove of beautiful structures. Cultural institutions such as a Symphony and professional Ballet and Opera Companies were founded, as well as Theatre Tulsa, the oldest surviving community theatre west of the Mississippi River. In 1932 Waite Phillips donated his exquisite Italianate mansion "Philbrook" to the city of Tulsa for use as an art museum.

Another community that flourished in Tulsa during the early oil booms was Greenwood. It was the largest and wealthiest of Oklahoma's African American communities and was known nationally as "Black Wall Street". The neighborhood was a hotbed of jazz and blues in the 1920s. The scene in Greenwood was so hot that story has it that in 1927 while on tour, Count Basie heard a dance band in a club in Greenwood and decided to focus on jazz.

Race riot: 1921

The Tulsa Race Riot of 1921 – also known as the 1921 Race Riot, the Tulsa Race War, or the Greenwood Riot – was one of the nation's worst acts of racial violence and large-scale civil disorder. From May 31 to June 1, 1921 during 16 hours of rioting, 39 people were officially reported killed, over 800 people were admitted to local hospitals with injuries, an estimated 10,000 were left homeless, 35 city blocks composed of 1,256 residences were destroyed by fire, and $1.8 million (nearly $17 million after adjustment for inflation) in property damage. There are long-standing reports that whites dropped dynamite and/or incendiaries from airplanes, as well as reports of shooting from the planes at fleeing blacks. ["Airplanes and the Riot." Warner, Richard S., in The Tulsa Race Riot: A report by the Oklahoma Commission to Study the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921.] This attack killed upwards of 75 people and destroyed more than 1,100 homes. ["Lies My Teacher Told Me." Loewen, James W.] Confined mainly to the segregated Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, the riot was responsible for wiping out nearly all of the prosperity and success that Black Wall Street had achieved to that time, although the neighborhood had rebuilt within a few years and flourished until the 1960s. [Death in a Promised Land. Ellsworth, Scott.]

"America's Most Beautiful City": Mid-20th Century

For the majority of Tulsans, the mid 20th Century proved a time of continuing prosperity. The wealth generated by the early oil industry also helped Tulsa become a leader in the aviation industry. During WWII Spartan Aviation was a training site for hundreds of allied pilots. In 1942 Douglas Aircraft built its mile-long Air Force Plant No. 3 to build bombers. Following the war, Tulsa become an important maintenance center for American Airlines and numerous other aviation related businesses developed alongside.

A master plan for the city that resulted in the creation of numerous parks, along with such attractions as its oil mansions, beautiful churches, museums and rose gardens, led to Tulsa being dubbed "America's Most Beautiful City" in the 1950s.

In 1957, a brand new 1957 Plymouth Belvedere was buried underground near the downtown courthouse in an enclosed 6-inch thick concrete tomb to celebrate Oklahoma's semi-centennial. The plaque above the burial stated the car was to be excavated in 2007 to celebrate Oklahoma's centennial. Included in the concrete enclosure was a time capsule with items including a American flag, proclamations from the city government, and more.

By the time the car was excavated in 2007, the concrete tomb had leaked so that the car's engine had become a pile of rust. The time capsule had remained intact. [http://www.hs.fi/maailmanihmisia/artikkeli/Aikakapseliksi+muutettu+auto+ei+kestänyt+50+vuoden+hautaamista/1135228077990]

Oil bust and recovery: 1982-Present

Following the "Oil Bust" of 1982-84 the title of "Oil Capital of the World" was relinquished to Houston. City leaders worked to diversify the city away from a largely petroleum-based economy, bringing blue collar factory jobs as well as Internet and telecommunications firms to Tulsa during the 1990s, and enhancing the already important aviation industry. During this time, customer-service and reservations call centers became an important part of the local economy. Showing that petroleum is still an important player, an abundant supply of natural gas also helped with recovery.

The early 21st century saw Tulsa's economy, along with the national economy, facing another economic down-turn and a loss of jobs. However, recovery was reported beginning as early as 2004 and by 2006 the total number of jobs in Tulsa had increased to levels exceeding those prior to the downturn. Helped by relatively low housing prices, Tulsa continued to be an attractive market for business expansion.

Efforts by city leaders led to the passage of the "Vision 2025" program in 2003 with the purpose of enhancing and revitalizing Tulsa's infrastructure. The keystone project of Vision 2025 was the construction of the BOK Center in downtown Tulsa. The multi-purpose arena, designed by famed architect Cesar Pelli, is intended to be a home for the city's minor league hockey and arena football teams, as well as a venue for major concerts and conventions. Goundbreaking on the structure occurred in 2005 and completion is expected in 2008. Much recent attention has been paid to ideas for "destination development" along the banks of the Arkansas River.

In June of 2007, the City of Tulsa decided to back a plan prepared by INCOG for River development. The plan calls for 2 additional low-water dams to keep water in the river. More pedestrian bridges across the river that would feature small retail kiosks and food vendors would be included, as well as wharf on the southwest corner of 71st St and Riverside. The plan also includes plans for redevelopment on the west bank of the river and retail scattered and tucked away through out river parks. A complete overhaul of trails, lighting and signage would be done. The plan calls for $277 million in public money and would be put along with $100 Million dollars for the Kaiser family. The plan has the backing of the Mayor and the City Council. The project is a lot less expensive that the Channels project and covers more of the River.

Many key families and people played important roles in the history of Tulsa including the Perryman Family, the Phillips family (Frank Phillips, who founded Phillips Petroleum Company, and his brother Waite Phillips), J. Paul Getty, William G. Skelly, the Warren family, the Murphy family, the LaFortune Family, the Gardner family, the Bartlett family, Thomas Gilcrease, and Charles Page.

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