Neighborhoods of Tulsa, Oklahoma
Downtown
Tulsa includes many structures built during the Oil Boom in the 1920s and 1930s, including Art Deco buildings such as the Midcontinent Tower, Boston Avenue Methodist Church, and the Tulsa National Bank. Oilman Waite Phillips, left a significant architectural impact on downtown Tulsa through the Philtower and Philcade buildings. Other notable Tulsa buildings include the Atlas Life building, Boston Avenue Methodist Church, Christ the King Catholic Church, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, and the Mayo Hotel, the former of which once served as home to J. Paul Getty. Known for a time as "Terra Cotta City", Tulsa hosted the International Sixth Congress on Art Deco in 2001.
Downtown Tulsa is in the northwest quadrant of the city and is ringed by an expressway system called the inner dispersal loop. Downtown's buildings include many large office towers. At 667 ft, the BOK Tower (formerly One Williams Center) is the tallest building in any of the 5 "plains states" (Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota) and was designed in 1975 by Minoru Yamasaki & Associates, the same architect who designed the World Trade Center in New York.
The Tulsa Performing Arts Center, occupies a half city block in Tulsa's historical downtown. The PAC is also the design of Minoru Yamasaki. It houses five theatres and a beautifully appointed reception hall. More than a quarter of a million people visit the Center each year to attend a performance from one of Tulsa's seven acclaimed musical and dramatic companies including the Tulsa Opera, Tulsa Ballet Theater, and a variety of symphonic groups. The PAC hosts a multitude of cultural events through the fall, winter and spring.
In 2005 the City of Tulsa broke ground on a new 18,000 seat events center designed by renowned architect César Pelli. Tulsa-based BOK Financial has purchased the naming rights to the new facility and when completed, the arena will be known as the BOK Center.
Brady Arts District
The Brady Arts District is located north across the Sante Fe Railroad tracks from the central business district and centered at Main Street & Brady Avenue. The Brady District is one of Tulsa's oldest areas, characterized by two-story brick warehouses. It contains two of Tulsa's most historic entertainment venues, The Brady Theater and Cain's Ballroom.
The Brady Theater, built between 1912 and 1914, was originally designed to serve as the city's municipal auditorium and was simply called "Convention Hall" for the first forty years of its life. In 1952, major additions were added and the building was renamed Tulsa Municipal Theater. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Supplanted as the city auditorium in 1979 by construction of the Performing Arts Center in downtown, "the Old Lady on Brady" continues to be used today for a wide variety of concerts and theatrical productions.
North of the Brady on Main Street is the Cain's Ballroom, the home of Bob Wills & the Texas Playboys and the Light Crust Doughboys. To many, Cain's is the cornerstone of western swing music in the United States.[citation needed] it is also one of only two still-surviving venues from the Sex Pistols' infamous 1978 USA Tour, who played at Cain's on January 12, 1978.[citation needed] Today, Cain's leads a thriving existence by attracting an eclectic mix of country, rock, "jamband," jazz, and roots music. The district is also the location of many local artists' galleries, restaurants with late night hours, like The Gypsy Coffee House & Cyber Cafe, and bars such as the popular Caz's, Lola's in The Bowery and Club Majestic.
Blue Dome District
Another popular downtown entertainment district is the Blue Dome, named for a distinctive, domed building in the area in the eastern section of downtown. While some of the bars that opened there have since closed, current venues include Tsunami Sushi Bar, the Route 66 Diner, Arnie's Bar, McNellie's Public House, the Blank Slate/the Red Room, 3 Frogs Lounge, Dirty's Tavern and 1974 Bar and Grill.
Greenwood Historical District
The Greenwood Historical District is just north of downtown and east of the Brady District. In 1921, thirty-five blocks of businesses and residences were burned in this district during the infamous Tulsa Race Riot, the bloodiest racial riot in the history of the United States. The Oklahoma State Legislature passed laws in 2001 aimed at revitalizing Greenwood, setting up a scholarship fund for college-bound descendants of riot victims and appropriating $2 million for a riot memorial. As of 2004, two blocks of the old neighborhood have been restored and are part of the Greenwood Historical District. It is now home to the Greenwood Cultural Center, the Tulsa Race Riot Memorial, and the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, as well as Oklahoma State University - Tulsa and Langston University-Tulsa.
East Village
This emerging, strolling neighborhood is 115 square blocks bordered by Katy Railway and 7th Street, Detroit Ave and Highway 75, just inside the inner-dispersal loop. This area boasts an upscale martini bar, a hair salon, a pet day care, photography studios, lofts, a knitting room and living arts district, among others. The cornerstone of this neighborhood is now the second largest LGBT community center in the mid-west, the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, owned and operated by Oklahomans for Equality/OkEq (formerly Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights/TOHR), with further development being planned for more restaurants, residential lofts and retail.
The Pearl
Another emerging neighbourhood bordered on the west by Highway 75, 11th Street on the south, Utica Avenue on the east, and I-244 to the north. This area has a $6 million facility housing Youth Services of Tulsa, along with a pottery studio and decorative iron studio. The Pearl District - 6th Street Infill Plan was approved by the Tulsa City Council on January 5th, 2006.
Uptown
Uptown is the region just to the south of Downtown. Here you will find the Hotel Ambassador, a Tulsa landmark, which began life as a temporary housing facility for oil tycoons who were building their mansions. Functioning as a full-service hotel these days, it gives its guests a taste of the luxury of the glory days. The SoBo (South Boston) bar district in this area at 18th and south Boston is quite popular. Doubleshot Coffeehouse, Mercury Lounge, the Rehab Lounge, Dalessandro's Restaurant, and Vintage 1740 Wine Bar are popular destinations in SoBo.
Midtown
Midtown is a unique and largely residential district in the heart of the city. This area consists mostly of homes built in the early 1900's and has a wide variety of American styles ranging from the Craftsman bungalow to the ranch-style home to Greek Revival. The neighborhood is even home to a relocated saltbox home from colonial New England. Schools in this part of the city include Bishop Kelley, Cascia Hall Preparatory School, Edison Preparatory School, Eliot Elementary, Francis Scott Key Elementary, Monte Cassino, Robert E. Lee Elementary, Patrick Henry Elementary, Wright Elementary and Undercroft Montessori. Woodward Park, located in Midtown, is known for its azaleas and gardens and is a popular destination for photography and picnics. Other popular Midtown Parks include Swan Lake, LaFortune Park, Zink Park, Darlington Park and Whiteside Park.
Utica Square is both a unique shopping center and another neighborhood built with lots of Oil Wealth. It's the most popular midtown shopping area and is mixed with locally owned retailers and national chains such as Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Local retailers include many clothing boutiques and Tulsa's oldest department store, Miss Jackson's. Several of Tulsa's most acclaimed restaurants are also located in Utica Square including the Polo Grille and the Wild Fork.
Located directly behind Utica Square is Tulsa's only Reform Jewish institution, Temple Israel. Temple Israel was founded in 1914 and currently has a membership of approximately 500 families. Temple Israel is a Reform Congregation affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), the national organization of Reform Judaism. Tulsa's conservative synagogue, B'nai Emunah is also in Midtown.
Some of the other major shopping centers in this part of the city include the Promenade Mall, Highland Park Shopping Center, Southroads, Ranch Acres, The Farm Shopping Center, and The Plaza. OU-Tulsa is across the street from the Promenade Mall at 41st and Yale, on the southern edge of Midtown.
In northeast Midtown, the Tulsa State Fairgrounds, now called Expo Square, is home to several unique Tulsa landmarks. In addition to the site being home to the minor league baseball Tulsa Drillers, the Art Deco Expo Square Pavilion (home court for the Tulsa 66ers NBDL team), the Fair Meadows horse racing track, and the annual Tulsa State Fair, it boasts the Expo Center, the largest clearspan building in the world, providing 354,000 square feet (33,000 m²) of column-free space under a cable-suspended roof. In front of the Expo Center is the Golden Driller, standing 76 feet (23 m) tall. Built in 1966 as a symbol for the International Petroleum Expo, the statue serves as a reminder of Tulsa's oily past.
The Expo Center is also home to the annual Darryl Starbird Rod and Custom Show. Held in early February, it is touted as 'The World's Largest Indoor Car Show' and often draws around 1,500 custom and classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Antique car auctions are also held here and draw many visitors from across the nation.
Arkansas River
The Tulsa area boasts nearly 40 miles of river shoreline along the Arkansas River. River Parks lines more than 20 miles of that stretch, spread along the banks of the 1/4 mile wide channel. River Parks is a popular destination for outdoor recreation. Miles of asphalt-surfaced recreation trails weave past picnic areas, playgrounds, fountains and sculptures. The park's landscape ranges from manicured lawns to the rugged terrain of the Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area. Recreation in River Parks includes fishing, rowing, kayaking, disc golf, hiking, biking and horseback riding.
During the spring, summer, and early fall concerts, festivals and the state's largest free fireworks display (on the Fourth of July) are popular draws to the river. The festival park on the river's west bank is the site of Tulsa's Oktoberfest, one of the oldest and largest in the U.S.
Cherry Street
The Cherry Street District is set near downtown in the northern midtown area, defined by a portion of 15th Street dubbed "Cherry Street." Visitors to this neighborhood find great local restaurants, boutique shops, art galleries, antique shops, funky vintage stores, and even a scooter shop now filling old storefronts built in the 1920s & 1930s, as well as some fabulous old homes in the surrounding residential areas. Cherry Street is surrounded by three of Tulsa's designated Historic Districts: the Swan Lake, North Maple Ridge, and Yorktown neighborhoods. Other neighborhoods adjacent to Cherry Street are Florence Park and the Renaissance neighborhood.
Maple Ridge & Sunset Terrace
The Maple Ridge Historic District is just south of downtown in Midtown. This neighborhood contains 'Black Gold Row', where the fabulous mansions built by the oil barons in the 1920s still stand, long after their original owners have gone.
Sunset Terrace is located adjacent to Maple Ridge on its South Side, Terwilleger Heights on its East Side and the Arkansas River to the West. It is transversed by the grand Woodward Boulevard, which links Maple Ridge to Brookside. Sunset Terrace contains many mansions built in the 1920' and 1930's.
Brookside
Brookside, like Cherry Street, is another popular shopping and entertainment district in Midtown. This area extends from the Arkansas River east to Peoria Avenue and south to 51st Street. Its defining strip is South Peoria between 31st and 41st Streets, where visitors find a variety of shopping delights, and is home to more than 35 restaurants and nightspots (many with patio seating), featuring everything from sushi to old-fashioned burger and root beer stands. There are also plenty of swanky boutiques, decor shops, and art galleries for window shopping. The atmosphere is chic and eclectic. Scenic Riverside Drive, which parallels the east bank of the river, and River Parks, the park that stretches along the riverbank, are also popular sections of Brookside.
Terwilleger Heights
Terwilleger Heights is located immediately south and west of Utica Square bordered by 21st Street, 31st Street, Utica Avenue and Peoria Avenue. This area has early 1930's homes both grand and small, full grown trees, winding streets and is adjacent to the Philbrook Museum of Art and Woodward Park.
Kendall-Whittier
To the east of downtown is Tulsa’s oldest suburban shopping area and is noted for its abundance of red brick. The artsy, historic, and recently restored Circle Cinema is located in this area. The Kendall-Whittier shopping area and surrounding neighborhoods are now popular with Tulsa’s rapidly growing Hispanic community. Just east of this area is the University of Tulsa.
For a copy of the Kendall Whittier Neighborhood Masterplan developed by the neighborhood in partnership with the City of Tulsa please go to: http://www.cityoftulsa.org/Community/Revitalization/documents/KW%20Neighborhood%20Masterplan%2011142006.pdf
North Tulsa
North Tulsa is home to a large percentage of Tulsa's African-American community. The area's Booker T. Washington High School, Tulsa’s African-American high school during the segregation era and now a magnet school, was recently judged to be the 58th best high school in the nation by Newsweek. Northwest of downtown, Gilcrease Museum, considered by many to be the finest Western American and American Indian art collection in the world, finds its home. Northeast of downtown, close to the Tulsa International Airport, are Mohawk Park, which includes the Tulsa Zoo and the Oxley Nature Center, and the new Tulsa Air and Space Center and Planetarium. This area is also home to the American Airlines maintenance facility, one of Tulsa's largest employers.
South Tulsa
South Tulsa is popularly considered to be south of 51st Street, bounded on the south by the town of Bixby, on the west by the Arkansas River and the town of Jenks, and on the east by the town of Broken Arrow. Many new luxurious homes have been constructed here in the last few decades, as well as numerous apartments, in various price ranges. Land in the area is becoming scarce, however, and development now has begun to spread to neighboring Jenks and Bixby to the south and west, as well as Broken Arrow to the east. As affluent clientele has moved into the area, businesses tailored to such residents have also opened nearby. The city's largest automotive dealer strip is located along S. Memorial Dr. from 91st to 101st E. Ave. The new Riverwalks Crossing Shopping Center, just over the river in Jenks at 96th st. includes a movie theater, fine dining, and shopping. Nearby lies the Oklahoma Aquarium, the only one in the state of Oklahoma. Local freshwater fish are complemented by a fine selection of saltwater animals, including sharks. Additionally the The Karl and Beverly White National Fishing Tackle Museum has over 20,000 pieces valued at more than $4 million. This exhibit makes up the largest and most comprehensive antique fishing tackle collection in the world. St. Francis Hospital and its surrounding medical practitioner's offices is located at 61st and Yale and is one of the largest in the state. An area of new medical treatment has developed around 91st and Mingo, including SouthCrest Hospital, Cancer Treatment Center of America and Saint Francis Heart Hospital. Woodland Hills Mall, the largest in the state anchors the 71st street corridor, stretching from 71st and Yale to 71st and Garnett. Numerous dining options are available in the area. Additionally, shopping centers surrounding the mall are panoramic in scope, as the options for shopping are seemingly endless. It is in this area that the 4-star John Q. Hammonds Renaissance Hotel is located, including conference and meeting rooms. It is located right off of US 169, a major north-south highway in eastern south Tulsa. This road curves to the west at around 96th street and soon turns into the Creek Turnpike, a toll road that has been extended to the west to I-44 and to the east to I-44, nearly forming a semi-circular loop around southern Tulsa and its surrounding suburbs. The schools in the area are some of the state's best, including Jenks and Union High Schools. These two schools have some of the highest ACT scores in the state, especially among public schools. Jenks and Union are also two of the three largest in the state, with neighboring Broken Arrow being the largest. Tulsa Public School's Memorial High School is located here, along with prestigious, private Holland Hall School. Jenks and Union High Schools are annually among the best in the state and nation in football and their rivalry has drawn national attention. Tulsa Community College, the largest 2 year school in the state, has its Southeast campus off of 81st and US 169. Parks in the area include LaFortune Park, with 2 public golf courses, playgrounds, swimming pool, and jogging trail, Hunters Park, with a disc golf course, jogging trail, playground, and fishing pond, and the Riverparks, which extend south to 101st st. Some of the largest and influential churches in Tulsa are in the district, including Victory Christian, Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian, Asbury United Methodist, South Tulsa Baptist and Grace Church.
Southern Hills
Southern Hills is an exclusive neighborhood on the south side that is centered around the Southern Hills Country Club at 61st and Lewis. Southern Hills Country Club has been the home to 13 major golf championships including four U.S. Opens. Many of the original homes in this neighborhood were sprawling suburban homes built in the ranch style.
The campus of Oral Roberts University with its distinctive futuristic architecture is just to the south. Nearby, the newly updated Creek Nation Casino, located at 81st and Riverside, has recently become an extremely popular destination. The South Peoria district South of the Brookside Neighborhood, near 61st Street and Peoria Avenue. It is home to a growing percentage of Tulsa's Hispanic and African-American community. Many of the neighborhood shops and Restaurants advertise primarily in Spanish.
East Tulsa
East Tulsa is a suburban-style area originating between Admiral and 21st Street and extending out to Mingo. Attractions in this part of the city include McClure Park, which is notable for its disc golf course, the Carl Smith Athletic Complex, and the popular Admiral Twin Drive-In movie theatre. This region includes several growing multi-ethnic communities with booming Hispanic, Asian, and Native American populations. The parts of East Tulsa that fall in Union and Broken Arrow School districts are increasingly attracting high-income professionals looking for suburban life within the city limits. Mayo Demonstration Academy, a magnet school of the Tulsa Public School system, is located in this area. Eastland Mall, Will Rogers High School and East Central are also in this area. Also the area is home to Tulsa's hospitality district, where many hotels are located. Redbud Valley Nature Preserve is also located in this part of the city.
West Tulsa
West Tulsa is another reminder of Tulsa’s oil-rich past. Two huge oil refineries remain in operation to this day on the west bank of the river. This large industrial area gives way to wooded and hilly neighborhoods. The classic art deco Webster High School is here, as is the popular train-themed Ollie’s Station Restaurant, sitting next to the Tulsa rail yard. Other schools in West Tulsa include Berryhill High School, Remington Elementary, Robertson Elementary, Park Elementary and Clinton Middle School. Webster is the oldest existing high school facility in Tulsa, and has an active alumni association. Portions of Route 66 pass through West Tulsa. West Tulsa is broken up into several sections, including Carbondale and Red Fork, among others.
The Riverparks system, also here on the bank of the river, includes the Riverwest Festival Park, with its floating stage amphitheater overlooking downtown. Riverwest is home to such popular events as Tulsa's Oktoberfest, one of the largest of its kind in North America, and the Gatesway Balloon Festival.
Although not in Tulsa proper, the new Riverwalk Crossing development in Jenks features specialty shops and restaurants along the west bank of the Arkansas River. The center also features fountains and an outdoor amphitheater which hosts free concerts every weekend throughout the summer. The Oklahoma Aquarium is also located on the west bank, a short distance away from the new retail center. Discussions have occurred regarding the possibility that Bell's Amusement Park will relocate from Tulsa's Expo Square to a parcel of land near the Riverwalk Crossing complex around 2007. Tulsa’s general aviation airport, Jones Riverside Airport, is also located west of the river, just north of the town of Jenks.
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