An old family photo leads to a little-known piece of Tulsa history
An Art Deco Enigma
Tag: Tulsa
Tulsa’s Crystal City
In 1927, the town of Red Fork on Tulsa's southwest side was incorporated into the city. It's where Tulsa County's first oil discovery was made (Sue Bland Well No. 1) and is still home to a large, active rail yard. There were several communities in what is now Southwest Tulsa, actually; all still home to … Continue reading Tulsa’s Crystal City
Saving Skateland’s Neon
For decades, the giant Skateland neon sign stood near the corner of 11th and Sheridan in Tulsa. The roller rink there just off Route 66 was a Tulsa mainstay for decades. Ed and Wanda Enlow, who had been teaching skating at the Continental Roller Rink near 11th and Peoria, opened the family skating rink on … Continue reading Saving Skateland’s Neon
Mann’s Grocery
I love it when I come across an unusual postcard; it always encourages me to look a little closer. Sometimes, it is tied to quite a story. Such as this postcard for a grocery store in north Tulsa: I'd never seen a postcard for a grocery store before. The cars in the image are quite … Continue reading Mann’s Grocery
Out of the Foxhole
In war, a foxhole is a space in the ground that troops use as a shelter against enemy fire. When you're on the line, leaving that foxhole is a dangerous and potentially fatal action. The COVID-19 Pandemic isn't war - but I feel the risk when I leave the house. I have to have a … Continue reading Out of the Foxhole
Pieces of the Road
It's odd how the days in 2020 seem to stretch on forever, yet at the same time they become a compressed, jumbled mess in my memory. A lot of that is COVID, sure, but part of that is grief and other stresses. The last few months I've done some scattered traveling but all of my … Continue reading Pieces of the Road
Comfort Foods
I miss a lot of things in the COVID-19 World. I miss seeing my friends, I miss taking road trips, I miss eating out. One of the things I miss most, at least the way it used to be, is grocery shopping. For most of my adult life, it's been an almost spiritual experience. I … Continue reading Comfort Foods
The Story of Thrifty
The eastern portions of 11th Street in Tulsa (also known as Route 66) resemble more of a rural highway than a city road. Homes and empty fields make up most of the landscape with an occasional church or small business hanging on to life. Near 133rd East Avenue, a sign on the south side of … Continue reading The Story of Thrifty
The Eng Family
While researching my book, Lost Restaurants of Tulsa, I met and interviewed a lot of people. During that process, I learned a lot about various family histories tied to eateries of the city's past. One of my favorite stories is that of the Eng Family. Their journey weaves in and around generations of family, friends, … Continue reading The Eng Family
Gilligan’s Spring Tour (II)
If you missed my previous post that covered the journey from Paris Springs to Joplin, Missouri -- check that out here. As I ate my breakfast and visited with my New Zealand traveling companions in Joplin, I noticed they were all wearing small red pins. At first I thought they were little guitars, but I … Continue reading Gilligan’s Spring Tour (II)
Rhys' Pieces 