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

Electricity for Tulsa

Photographed by Jason Voigt, April 7, 2021

1. Electricity for Tulsa Marker

Inscription. Electricity came to Tulsa in 1905 with the construction of a small generating station on this site. Public Service Company of Oklahoma acquired the "Cheyenne Street Power Plant" in 1913 when the newly formed company purchased the Tulsa corporation in the early days of expansion, the electric and ice plants in a community often were jointly owned. An ice plant located here was operated until the early 1950's. The Cheyenne Street Power Plant, at the time of the Public Service Company purchase posted 2,380 kilowatts of electric capacity and served 1,615 customers. Three generating units affectionately named "Elsa", "Maude" and "Hulda," soon were unable to keep up with the growing demand for electricity. Electric supply to customers was precarious until the completion of Tulsa Power Station on the west bank of the Arkansas River in the early 1920's. The power producing importance of the Cheyenne Street Plant declined from that point although this substation remains a principal source of power for downtown Tulsa. Two generating units continued operating until the late 1950's, providing direct current to operate the city's elevators.

Erected by Public

Paid Advertisement

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Service Company of Oklahoma.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.

Location. 36° 9.274′ N, 95° 59.683′ W. Marker is in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in Tulsa County. It is in the Deco District. It is at the intersection of West 1st Street and South Cheyenne Avenue, on the right when traveling west on West 1st Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 196 W 1st St, Tulsa OK 74103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Oklahoma’s Muscogee Nation

and specifically in the Cherokee Nation.

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: The J.M. & H.C. Hall Mercantile Company (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line);

Photographed by Jason Voigt, April 7, 2021

2. Electricity for Tulsa Marker

Warner Brothers Marker (about 800 feet away); Tulsey Town Overpass (about 800 feet away); The Adams (approx. ¼ mile away); Tulsa (approx. ¼ mile away); Tulsa Union Depot (approx. ¼ mile away); In Memoriam (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Mayo Building (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tulsa.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 22, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 617 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 22, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.