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

In Memoriam

Tulsa Fire Department

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 8, 2025

1. In Memoriam Marker

Inscription. In the early morning of Wednesday, October 24, 1917 the largest fire in Tulsa's history raged next door at the Ohio Building and spread here to the Mayo Building. The Tulsa Fire Department rescued several people and saved the Mayo Building from destruction. Sadly, two of Tulsa's bravest:
Joseph Ross Sheppard &
Benjamin W. “Ben” Hanes
lost their lives when the stairway they were fighting fire from collapsed. They were the first two Tulsa firefighters to die in the line of duty and their sacrifices will never be forgotten.

Dedicated October 24, 2017
Tulsa Fire Department
Chief R.C. Alder (1900-1922)

Erected 2017 by Tulsa Fire Department.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Heroes. A significant historical date for this entry is October 24, 1917.

Location. 36° 9.115′ N, 95° 59.408′ W. Marker is in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in Tulsa County. It is in the Deco District. It is on South Main Street north of East 5th Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 416 S Main St, Tulsa OK 74103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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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 Mayo Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Philtower Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Mid-Continent Building (about 400 feet away); Pentane (C₅H₁₂) Molecular Model (about 600 feet away); Tulsa Municipal Building (about 600 feet away); Tulsa (about 700 feet away); The Adams (about 800 feet away); Oklahoma Natural Gas Company Building (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tulsa.

Also see . . . Tulsa firefighters killed in the line of duty honored 100 years later. Archived television news report on centennial activities, which included a recreation

The Fallen Firefighters image. Click for full size.

Tulsa World, Oct. 25, 1917; via Newspapers.com (Public Domain), circa 1917

2. The Fallen Firefighters

of the firefighters' 1917 funeral procession. (Tristen Land, KOTV-TV, Oct. 24, 2017) (Submitted on May 14, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

<i>Tulsa World</i>, October 25, 1917 image. Click for full size.

via Newspapers.com (Public Domain), October 25, 1917

3. Tulsa World, October 25, 1917

Clipping of the newspaper's front page the day after the fire.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 124 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 14, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

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