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Interesting Facts
- In 1836, the Creek Indians migrated west from Alabama on the Trail of Tears. They founded a community along the banks of the Arkansas River called "Tallasi," which later became "Tulsey," and, later still, Tulsa. The old Creek Council Oak on 18th Street and Cheyenne marks the original site of the tribal meeting council.
- Tulsa experienced rapid growth and economic prosperity during the early 1900's when oil was first discovered. In fact, during this period, Tulsa became known as the "Oil Capital of the World." Much of the city's character and architectural design can be traced back to this booming era.
- Tulsa is known for its striking Art Deco buildings. Many refer to it as "Deco Mecca." Buildings such as Union Depot, the Boston Building, and the gothic Philtower are representative of this distinct style. The Convention and Visitors Bureau hands out an "Art Deco Walking Tour" map that highlights many of the town's architectural treasures.
- One of the darkest chapters in Tulsa's history is the notorious Greenwood Race Riot in 1921. Greenwood, a small black community north of downtown, was burned and plundered by a group of angry white mobsters after a black man was accused of raping a white woman in an elevator. The mob prevented fire trucks from extinguishing the fires and many buildings, homes and churches were totally destroyed. The death toll exceeded 35 people.
- The faithful and tourists alike should pay a visit to Oral Roberts University, founded in 1963 by the controversial evangelist. With its space-age Prayer Tower-a top tourist attraction-and other points of interests, ORU makes for a pleasant experience. The university currently has an enrollment of some 5,000 students.
- With more than 1,500 animals—many rare and endangered—the Tulsa Zoo is a national treasure. The zoo is one of the few that can be called a "living museum," meaning that it effectively simulates spacious, natural environments in which the animals can live. Be sure to check out the 15,000-square-foot Tropical American Rain Forest.
- Jazz? In Tulsa? You bet. In fact, one of the town's most interesting attractions is the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, which pays tribute to homegrown musicians (Charlie Christian, Jay McShann, Wardell Gray), as well as to many other jazz giants who have passed through the area over the years (Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, Cab Calloway, and more).
- Tulsa is blessed with several fine museums. Two, however, are particularly impressive—the Gilcrease and the Philbrook. The Gilcrease, created by the oil tycoon Thomas Gilcrease, houses one of the finest collections of Western art in the country, plus a number of other fine exhibits. The Philbrook—housed in the renovated Italian villa of oilman Waite Phillips and listed on the National Register of Historic Places—boasts 23 acres of sculpted grounds and 26 galleries from various periods.
- Just a short drive from downtown Tulsa on Lake Oologah lies the birthplace of Oklahoma's favorite son, William Penn Adair Rogers, "The Indian Cowboy." Nearby, the Will Rogers Memorial features several galleries, theaters, an interactive children's exhibit, and a statue of Rogers called "Riding into the Sunset."
- One of the more dubious landmarks in Tulsa is the 75-foot statue of the Golden Driller—a tribute to Tulsa's oil days. The mammoth oilman was placed in front of the Tulsa Exhibition Center in 1966 to celebrate the International Petroleum Exposition. The Golden Driller is said to wear a size 393 DDD shoe and a 50-foot belt.
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