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Tulsa, Oklahoma

Encyclopedia : T : TU : TUL : Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tulsa is the second-largest city in Oklahoma. As of 2003 the estimate for the city population was 387,807.[Tulsa (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau] [Census Bureau] Tulsa is the 45th largest city in the United States and the 93rd largest city in North America. It is the county seat of Tulsa County.

Tulsa is often referred to as "Green Country," a reference to the Oklahoma Department of Tourism's designation for Northeastern Oklahoma. Also, once coined as "America's Most Beautiful City" in the middle part of the 20th Century by magazines and as a tourism tactic, the nickname remains as a tribute to Tulsa's heritage in art (the city spends millions of dollars each year in public art), its art deco architecture, its 6,000-acre park system, and its location in a typically-lush area of the Ozarks foothills.

Tulsa is historically the cultural and arts center of Oklahoma, boasting several world-renowned art museums and the third largest instance of art deco architecture in the country, behind New York City and Miami, Florida. Many of Tulsa's downtown skyscrapers and also entire neighborhoods were constructed with art deco architecture, and the city is often referred to as "Terra Cotta City," accordingly.

In 2005, Tulsa was selected as one of "America's Most Livable Large Cities."

Contents

History of Tulsa

What was to ultimately become Tulsa was first a part of Indian Territory. The Lochapoka Creek settled the current Tulsa area between 1828 and 1836 after they had been driven from their native Alabama. Much of modern Tulsa is located in the Creek Nation, with parts located in the Cherokee Nation and Osage Nation.

In August 1882, the St. Louis and San Francisco Railway, later called the Frisco, completed the extension of its line to Tulsa to serve the cattle business, the city's first industry. Tulsa, during this time, was referred to as "Tulsey Town."

Tulsa changed from a small Indian 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. In 1905, the Glenn Pool oil field was discovered. This laid the foundation for Tulsa to become a world leader in oil and many oil and gas businesses. By the time Oklahoma achieved statehood in 1907, Tulsa had a population of 7,298.

By 1920, the population boomed to 72,000. The second surge of oil discoveries occurred between 1915 and 1930 and firmly established Tulsa as the "Oil Capital of the World." Wealthy families poured their oil fortunes into new construction throughout the city, primarily with art deco architecture. It is said that private organizations and wealthy families poured over $1 million a day into art deco style building projects during Tulsa's upswing as an oil Mecca. Today, Tulsa's older business districts and neighborhoods are part of the largest collection of art deco architecture in the country. Another community that flourished in Tulsa during the oil boom was Greenwood. Known nationally as "Black Wall Street," the neighborhood was a hotbed of jazz and blues in the 1920s. In 1921, it was also the site of the Tulsa Race Riot, one of the nation's worst acts of racial violence.

Following the "Oil Bust" of 1982-84, the title of "Oil Capital of the World" was basically relinquished to Houston, and city leaders began working to diversify the city away from a largely petroleum-based economy. Other industries, such as aerospace and aviation, have taken a more prevalent role in the city's economy, especially in the years following World War II, in which Tulsa served as a major construction port for the Air Force.

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 Bartlett family, Thomas Gilcrease, and Chef Kelly L. Crisp.

Government

Tulsa has a mayor-council form of government. Tulsa is also the county seat for Tulsa County.

Cityscape

The city of Tulsa covers over 181 square miles--an area roughly three times the size of Washington DC. This large city footprint allows Tulsa's communities to take on a personality much their own, from the art deco infused Downtown, to the jazzy Greenwood Historical District, to the affluent suburban South Tulsa.

Geography

Tulsa is located in the northeastern corner of Oklahoma, an area known as "Green Country" due to the dense green vegetation. Tulsa is also near the heart of Tornado Alley, a region known to experience more tornadoes on average than any other area in the world. [[Citing sources citation needed]]

The city is split by the Arkansas River, with the largest portion occupying the eastern bank. Tulsa is heavily wooded, with abundant parks and water areas including Woodward Park, McClure Park, LaFortune Park, Florence Park, Chandler Park, and over 6,000 acres of public park space. Mohawk Park, location of the Tulsa Zoo, contains 11 km² (2,800 acres) and is the largest park in Tulsa and the 3rd largest municipal park in the United States.

The city's RiverParks Authority maintains a series of picnic areas, playgrounds and an extensive trail system along most of the Arkansas River. In addition, the city has been enticing developers to develop along the river. The "River Walk," a shopping and entertainment walking district aside the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks, is the most recent realization of those plans. Several other river developments are currently under construction or planned from Sand Springs on the north end of the river, to Bixby, on the southern part of the river.

Tulsa's geographic coordinates are [36°7′53″N, 95°56′14″W] (36.131294, -95.937332)[Geographic references#1GR1], with an elevation of 213 m (700 feet) above sea level.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 483.9 km² (186.8 mi²). 473.1 km² (182.6 mi²) of it is land and 10.9 km² (4.2 mi²) of it (2.24%) is water.

Climate

Tulsa has a temperate climate of the continental variety. As is typical for the temperate zone, Tulsa's climate varies throughout the seasons and experiences occasional extremes.

Summer temperatures of 40°C (100°F) or higher are often observed from July to early September. These are usually accompanied by high humidity, caused by warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico brought in by southerly winds. Between May and September, Tulsa also experiences an "Ozone Season", caused by a combination of factors including climate and hydrocarbon emissions. During this season, Tulsa frequency issues "Ozone Alerts [link]", encouraging all parties to do their part in complying with the Clean Air Act and E.P.A. standards.

Winter temperatures, while generally mild, also occassionally experience extremes below -20°C (0°F).

The fall season is quite short, consisting of a brief period of pleasant, sunny days and cool nights.

Primarily during the spring and early summer months, the Tulsa area is often subjected to severe thunderstorms, some of which contain large hail, damaging winds and, not infrequently, tornadoes. Severe weather is not limited, though, to this season. On December 5th 1975, for example, Tulsa experienced a damaging tornado.

The spring and early summer thunderstorm pattern also provides the area with a disproportionate share of its annual rainfall, which averages around 100 cm (39 inches). Due to frequent flooding in past decades, Tulsa now has one of the most extensive flood control systems in the nation. In 2000, FEMA honored Tulsa as leading the nation in flood plain management.FEMA News Release HQ-00-046a, 13-Sep-2000 [link]

Demographics

Population

As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, there were 393,049 people, 165,743 households, and 99,114 families residing in the city. The population density was 830.9/km² (2,152.0/mi²). There were 179,405 housing units at an average density of 379.2/km² (982.3/mi²).

Diversity

The racial makeup of the city was 70.09% Caucasian, 15.47% African American, 4.72% Native American, 1.82% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.45% from other races, and 4.40% from two or more races. At least Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.15% of the population. with more unregistered living within the city.

Family

There were 165,743 households out of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.1% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.2% were non-families. 33.9% of all households are made up of only one person, and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 people and the average family size was 2.98.

Age

In the city, the population is spread-out with 24.8% of the population under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.4 males.

Income

The median income for a household in the city was $35,316, and the median income for a family was $44,518. Males had a median income of $32,779 versus $25,587 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,534. About 10.9% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.5% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.

Tulsa Metro Area

The Tulsa Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) consists of seven counties in northeastern Oklahoma: Tulsa, Rogers, Osage, Wagoner, Okmulgee, Pawnee, and Creek.

Within the Tulsa MSA there are more than twenty outlying cities and towns. These include:

The Tulsa-Bartlesville consolidated metropolitan area (CMSA) is created by adding the Bartlesville, Oklahoma micropolitan area which consists of Washington County in northeastern Oklahoma.

Also nearby and part of Tulsa’s media market but not part of Tulsa’s CMSA is Muskogee, Oklahoma.

Healthcare System

Healthcare in Tulsa is primarily serviced by six private hospitals, the Catholic-affiliated [St. John] and [St. Francis] systems, the Ardent-affiliated Hillcrest Hospital and [Tulsa Regional Medical Center], Triad's SouthCrest[link] and [Cancer Treatment Center of Tulsa]

The city of Tulsa also runs the [Tulsa Health Department].

Business and economy

Tulsa, while once known as the "Oil Capital of the World," is still an important energy center. Other important industries include aerospace, telecom, high tech, insurance, car rental companies, religion and religious education and river transportation.

The city has the nation's most inland water port, the Tulsa Port of Catoosa [5], which connects the state with international ocean trade routes through the Arkansas River and Mississippi River. Tulsa is also home to an American Airlines maintenance center, the largest airline maintenance base in the world.

Transportation

Air

Tulsa is served by Tulsa International Airport. Eleven commercial airlines and several charter airlines serve nearly 3 million travelers annually to almost 70 departures every day.

Land

Important highways passing through Tulsa are:

It was also served by historic Route 66, and there are numerous reminders of this by the mid-20th century era, especially motels and restaurants along 11th Street and Admiral Place. Cyrus Avery, known as "The Father of Route 66," resided in Tulsa.

Water

East of Tulsa, in Catoosa, the Tulsa Port of Catoosa is the head of navigation for the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS), connecting barge traffic from Tulsa to the Mississippi River. This port is the farthest inland port in the United States.

Public Transportation

Citywide bus transit is provided by [Metropolitan Tulsa Transit Authority].

Street Network

Tulsa follows a very systematic naming and numbering convention for all streets falling within its municipal jurisdiction. Admiral Place is the east-west-running dividing line for "streets north" and "streets south", while Main Street is the north-south-running dividing line for "west avenues" and "east avenues."

Avenues falling west of Main Street are named for US cities west of the Mississippi River for one run of the alphabet, after which numbered "west avenues" are assigned. Avenues falling east of Main Street are named for US cities east of the Mississippi River for approximately three runs of the alphabet, after which numbered "east avenues" are assigned.

Streets falling north of Admiral Place are labeled for important names in Tulsa's history for one run of the alphabet, after which numbered "streets north" are assigned. Streets falling south of Admiral Place are numbered, beginning with "1st Street" and continuing southward. Street names and numbers are consistent throughout the Tulsa jurisdiction, regardless if a particular street is contiguous/continuous.

Addresses reflect their associated hundred block from either Admiral or Main. There are usually 16 blocks per mile as counted by avenues, and there are 10 blocks per mile as counted by streets. Other right-of-way labels (such as Place, Court, Drive, Terrace, etc.) may be used to describe an intermittent street or avenue, but the actual name will usually be the same as the adjacent street or avenue (such as Knoxville Avenue and its neighboring Knoxville Place, both assigned as the 3600 block east).

Major arterial streets can be found at every mile, as assigned by the Township and Range system, resulting in a well-defined grid of thoroughfares across the Tulsa region.

Education and Science

The Tulsa area has 13 school distrcits with more than 2,000 students as of Fall 2005.

Tulsa Public Schools is the largest school district in Oklahoma. Each of the public districts in Tulsa County has a single high school, except for Tulsa Public Schools, which has nine. The Tulsa district also includes several charter schools.

There are also multiple private elementary and middle schools in the Tulsa metropolitan area. Most are affiliated with a specific religion or place of worship.

Other private schools in the Tulsa area include many parochial elementary schools, each affiliated with a parish in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa. Such Diocesan schools differ from the privatetly owned, Catholic institutions of Cascia Hall and Monte Cassino.

Colleges and Universities

Tulsa has 14 institutions of higher education. Primary universities in the city include Oral Roberts University, founded by evangelist Oral Roberts in 1963, and the older University of Tulsa. Tulsa Community College and Tulsa Technology Center are two-year schools.

The University of Oklahoma has a graduate campus in Tulsa, known as the Schusterman Center, and Oklahoma State University has a fully-functioning branch of its main Stillwater, Oklahoma campus in Tulsa, Oklahoma State University - Tulsa.

Libraries

The [Tulsa City-County Library] system is the largest in the state of Oklahoma, containing 1.7 million volumes in 25 library facilities ([map]):

The Tulsa City-County Library is very active in the community, holding [events and programs] at most library locations, including free computer classes, children's storytimes, business and job assistance, and many others.

The library system provides access to dozens of [online databases] for reliable information on a variety of topics. Many of these are accessible from home with a valid library card number. There are many other [research tools] available, including an award-winning database of [frequently-asked questions].

Entertainment and Attractions

With the city's interesting mix of Southern settlers, Northern oilmen, and Western ranchers and thanks to Tulsa's location in an area rich with Native American history and culture, the city and surrounding areas are home to many unique museums and attractions.

Museums and cultural centers

The Philbrook Museum of Art
Enlarge
The Philbrook Museum of Art

Parks, gardens and nature preserves Performing arts Festivals and Events

As a culturally diverse metropolis, Tulsa has a wide variety of events year-round. Two local Tulsa organizations maintain online events calendars, listing a wide variety of cultural events and entertainment in the local Tulsa area. See: [YP Tulsa Event Calendar] [Tulsa Now Event Calendar] A sampling of these festivals and events include:

General

Cultural Musical Seasonal Food

Many of the cultural and seasonal events feature a variety of specialty foods, such as ethnic foods of German and Scottish origin.

Other notable food-specific events in Tulsa and the surrounding area include:

Amusement parks Sports Gaming

As a result of a recent compact with various Native American tribes, tribal gaming facilities that were previously limited to bingo have begun to offer table games and slot machines.

Media and publishing

Print Broadcast All major U.S. television networks are represented in Tulsa. Cable television service in the area is provided by Cox Communications. As in most major American cities, local radio stations in the Tulsa area are controlled by a small handful of large broadcasting companies.

See Broadcast Media in Tulsa

Tulsa in entertainment

Tulsa has also been featured or mentioned in books, film, songs, and on television.

Books

Movies Television Songs

Sister Cities

Tulsa has eight sister cities, as designated by [Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI)]:

See also

External links

References

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The City of Tulsa
General Buildings and sites | Climate | Education | Famous Citizens | Geography | History | | Media | Transportation
Neighborhoods Downtown | Brady Arts District | Greenwood | Cherry Street | Brookside | Southern Hills
Suburbs Broken Arrow | Jenks | Owasso

State of Oklahoma
Capital Oklahoma City
Regions Arklatex - Central - Cherokee Outlet - Green Country - Little Dixie - Northeastern - Panhandle - Southeastern - Southwestern
Largest cities Broken Arrow - Edmond - Enid - Lawton - Midwest City - Moore - Norman - Oklahoma City - Stillwater - Tulsa

Counties 		Adair - Alfalfa - Atoka - Beaver - Beckham - Blaine - Bryan - Caddo - Canadian - Carter - Cherokee - Choctaw - Cimarron - Cleveland - Coal - Comanche - Cotton - Craig - Creek - Custer - Delaware - Dewey - Ellis - Garfield - Garvin - Grady - Grant - Greer - Harmon - Harper - Haskell - Hughes - Jackson - Jefferson - Johnston - Kay - Kingfisher - Kiowa - Latimer - Le Flore - Lincoln - Logan - Love - Major - Marshall - Mayes - McClain - McCurtain - McIntosh - Murray - Muskogee - Noble - Nowata - Okfuskee - Oklahoma - Okmulgee - Osage - Ottawa - Pawnee - Payne - Pittsburg - Pontotoc - Pottawatomie - Pushmataha - Roger Mills - Rogers - Seminole - Sequoyah - Stephens - Texas - Tillman - Tulsa - Wagoner - Washington - Washita - Woods - Woodward

 

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