Dry Cleaners
— Tulsa's Historic Route 66 —
Before the washing machine became a standard feature in nearly every home, people took their clothes to professionals for cleaning. Four different businesses formed a "Dry Cleaner District" along Route 66. Constructed from the late 1920s to the 1940s, these machine-reliant businesses aligned with the machine-age aesthetic of the period. Their buildings exhibited elements of the popular Streamlined Moderne style, such as glass block, curving corners, and neon signs. Local residents and Route 66 motorists alike patronized the cleaners, especially traveling salesmen who had to maintain a professional appearance despite extended time on the road.
2036 E. 11th Street
Guaranty Laundry was constructed in 1928 from plans by renowned architect Bruce Goff. The massive size of the block-long building and the strong horizontal brick banding conveys associations with the commercial cleaning industry rather than the personal dry cleaning business. Guaranty Laundry provided clean linens to all of the major local hotels and restaurants. Along with Buhl Cleaners just to the west, it was one of the largest cleaners in Oklahoma before the widespread adoption of personal electric washing machines. Guaranty constructed the Streamlined Moderne fur storage building
next door to the main plant in 1940. The business closed in 1966 but has been repurposed as a moving company warehouse since 1979.
2002 E. 11th Street
Arthur Buhl started a dry cleaning business in 1906 that he
operated from 211 S. Boston Avenue until 1926. In that year,
he constructed a one-story Mission Revival style building at
2002 E. 11th Street to house Buhl Dry Cleaners. The company
constructed several Art Deco wings to the east and west in
later years to meet the increased demand for its services,
especially during and after World War l. Arthur Buhl's son
and subsequent business owner, Paul Buhl, designed the
distinct neon sign that drew customers to the store.
The building was later converted into the 11th Street
Lofts apartment building.
Erected 2019 by Tulsa Route 66 Commission. (Marker Number 9.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Art Deco, and the U.S. Route 66 series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 2036.
Location. 36° 8.865′ N, 95° 57.91′ W. Marker is in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in Tulsa County. It is in Kendall-Whittier. Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Tulsa Monument Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Leyh Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Saving the Meadow Gold Sign (approx. half a mile away); The History of Meadow Gold (approx. half a mile away); The History of Neon Signs (approx. half a mile away); History of This Site (approx. half a mile away); Borden's Restaurant (approx. 0.7 miles away); Casa Loma Hotel (Campbell Hotel) (approx. 0.7 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 November 6, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 456 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 6, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.