Tulsa in Tulsa County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

West Tulsa

— Tulsa's Historic Route 66 —

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 22, 2019

1. West Tulsa Marker

Inscription. Settlements on the west side of the Arkansas River proliferated following completion of the railroad bridge in 1883. After the Red Fork oil strike in 1901 scores of people moved to the area and it was annexed into Tulsa in September 1907. In addition to those working directly in the oil industry, other individuals were drawn to the area to provide the collateral services needed to support the new community. The vehicular bridge across the Arkansas River aligned with S. Quanah Avenue (now Southwest Boulevard), which was one block west of the street early residents thought would be the town center (Phoenix Avenue). Quanah Avenue and West 17th Street became the commercial core of West Tulsa. General stores, grocers, and drug stores provided necessities; hotels, and rooming houses provided temporary and semi-permanent housing; movie theaters and bars provided entertainment. Quanah Avenue was renamed Southwest Boulevard in 1957.

As expected along Route 66, during the mid-1930s the 1600 block of S. Quanah Avenue (Southwest Boulevard) provided services targeted toward motorists. There were three auto repair shops, three used car and auto salvage businesses, and three filling stations, as well as two restaurants, a laundry, and the headquarters of the West Tulsa News. The 1700 block contained the variety of businesses present in a typical small town commercial center. In addition to the barber shops, cleaners, drug stores, and lodge halls, West Tulsa could boast of two movie theaters and two billiard halls.

Erected 2019 by Tulsa Route 66 Commission. (Marker Number 22.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1907.

Location. 36° 8.21′ N,

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96° 0.425′ W. Marker is in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in Tulsa County. It is at the intersection of Southwest Boulevard and West 17th Place, on the right when traveling south on Southwest Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1700 Southwest Boulevard, Tulsa OK 74107, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Muscogee Nation,

specifically in the Cherokee Nation,

and in Northeast Oklahoma—Green Country.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Tulsa Auto Court (approx. ¼ mile away); Will Rogers Motor Court (approx. ¼ mile away); Oil Capital Motel (approx. ¼ mile away); Quanah Retail Center (approx. half a mile away); Tulsa's 11th Street Bridge (approx. half a mile away); The Bridge that Saved Tulsa

Photographed by Andrew Foreman, June 14, 2023

2. West Tulsa Marker

This photograph of the marker is a view to the south. Note the slight damage to the marker (scratches) on the right side of the marker since the 2019 photograph.

(approx. half a mile away); Tulsa Spotlight Theatre and “The Drunkard” (approx. 0.6 miles away); Bruce Goff • Patti Adams Shriner (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tulsa.

The view south on Southwest Boulevard (Old Route 66). image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 22, 2019

3. The view south on Southwest Boulevard (Old Route 66).

View of reverse side of marker looking north. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 22, 2019

4. View of reverse side of marker looking north.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 15, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 803 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 5, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 2. submitted on June 14, 2023, by Andrew Foreman of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. 3, 4. submitted on November 5, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.