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

Standpipe Hill

History to be Remembered

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 9, 2025

1. Standpipe Hill Marker

Inscription. In 1904 the City of Tulsa built a water tower in the shape of a stove pipe. Thus, Standpipe Hill was named.

To the east, the Greenwood community would grow and prosper, providing the success of “Black Wall Street.”

The Race Riot of 1921 resulted in the death of many African-American people, the destruction of hundreds of homes and the burning of churches and businesses in Greenwood. All of this could be seen from atop Standpipe Hill.

From the seeds of overwhelming destruction, African-Americans moved back and rebuilt. But this rebirth of Greenwood would give way to suburban flight and urban renewal.

In the 1980s a new vision was conceived. Land east and north of the hill was dedicated to public higher education for all Tulsans and the region.

More to come …

History Remembered and a Future to be Embraced
Dedicated June 2014
To what has been and what will be …

Erected 2014 by University Center at Tulsa Authority.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.

Location. 36° 9.849′ N, 95° 59.585′ W. Marker is in Tulsa,

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Oklahoma, in Tulsa County. It is at the intersection of East John Hope Franklin Boulevard and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, on the right when traveling east on East John Hope Franklin Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tulsa OK 74106, 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: Mt. Zion Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Booker T. Washington High School (approx. ¼ mile away); The Tulsa Race Riot of 1921 (approx. ¼ mile away); Tower of Reconciliation and Healing Walkway (approx. ¼ mile away); John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Greenwood District

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 9, 2025

2. Standpipe Hill Marker

(approx. 0.3 miles away); Mabel B. Little Heritage House (approx. 0.4 miles away); 1921 Black Wall Street Memorial / O Greenwood!/Commercial Destruction During 1921 Race War (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tulsa.

Standpipe Hill image. Click for full size.

Beryl Ford; Rotary Club of Tulsa, Tulsa City-County Library & Tulsa Historical Society (Public Domain), September 23, 1910

3. Standpipe Hill

Mrs. E.G. Fike and Miss Mattie Lou Disher are sitting in front of the standpipe that served as Tulsa's first water tower.

Greenwood Aftermath image. Click for full size.

Beryl Ford; via Rotary Club of Tulsa, Tulsa City-County Library & Tulsa Historical Society (Public Domain), June 1921

4. Greenwood Aftermath

A view from Standpipe Hill of the destruction following the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 395 times since then and 126 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 17, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.