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

Swan Lake

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 9, 2025

1. Swan Lake Marker

Inscription. In the early 1900's it was known as Orcutt Lake for Samuel A. Orcutt [who] had obtained the land as part of an Indian allotment and had built a man made lake.

Orcutt developed a park complete with boat rental, swimming pool, movie theater and dance pavillion [sic].

In 1911 Tulsa's first roller coaster was added.

In 1917 the City of Tulsa acquired the lake and it was renamed Swan Lake.

The fountain was built in the 1920's and rebuilt by the Works Project Admiistration in 1938.

The drive around the lake was paved soon after World War II.

A much needed restoration of the park was started in 1986.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.

Location. 36° 8.125′ N, 95° 58.19′ W. Marker is in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in Tulsa County. It is in Swan Lake. It is on Swan Drive north of East 19th Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1546 Swan Dr, Tulsa OK 74120, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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: McGregor House (approx. half a mile away); William G. Skelly House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Aaronson Mansion (approx. 0.7 miles away); Leyh Building (approx. 0.9 miles away); Saving the Meadow Gold Sign (approx. 0.9 miles away); Dry Cleaners (approx. 0.9 miles away); The History of Meadow Gold (approx. 0.9 miles away); The History of Neon Signs (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tulsa.

Also see . . . Throwback Tulsa: Visitors still flock to Swan Lake, Tulsa's first playground. What do an alligator, a duck named Charley and a 57-piece silverware set have in common? All have ended up in

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 9, 2025

2. Swan Lake Marker

Tulsa’s historic Swan Lake. (Debbie Jackson and Hilary Pittman, The Tulsa Word, June 18, 2015; archived July 25, 2020 by Internet Archive) (Submitted on May 11, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 9, 2025

3. Swan Lake

An affluent subdivision since has been built around the lake, now a city park that several species of waterfowl call home.

Orcutt Park Lake image. Click for full size.

William Settle Collection, University of Tulsa Archives (Public Domain), circa 1921

4. Orcutt Park Lake

The amusement park offered boat rentals (for 10 cents an hour) and indoor swimming at the natatorium on the left.

Beryl Ford collection, Rotary Club of Tulsa (Public Domain), circa 1911

5. Orcutt Park

The wooden rollercoaster shown in this photo postcard was added to the park in 1911.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 215 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 11, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.