Beacon Building

One building that I find interesting is the Beacon Building. Located on the Southwest corner of 4th and Boulder it was built by Waite Phillips in 1923. Many Tulsans remember it for a beacon light tower (removed in 1976) that symbolized its long-time tenant, the Beacon Life Insurance Company and served as a aircraft navigational aid in the 1930's. Link

Compare the two images below. In the first the beacon is visible in the background of the picture. In the second picture, taken in 2008, the beacon is no longer present.

The Beacon Building in 1935.

Another view of the Beacon Building with the Mayo Building in the background and the Adams Building to the side.

Black and white photos courtesy of the Beryl Ford Collection/Rotary Club of Tulsa, Tulsa City-County Library and the Tulsa Historical Society.

The Beacon Building Today

Orpheum Theater

One of the most frustrating problems Tulsa has is that it-as a whole-seems to have little desire to embrace its wonderful history. I watched with amazement at the Jack Frank Tulsa DVD’s that showed just how many wonderful buildings were torn down in the 1960’s and 1970’s in the name of progress. Especially upsetting for this film lover were the movie theaters that were demolished, such as the Orpheum.

The second Orpheum was located at 12 East 4th Street in Downtown Tulsa and opened in 1917.

"The Orpheum Theater began as a vaudeville venue and got some of the top acts in the country. In 1931, the theater switched to showing first-run films. It closed in 1969." Link

Photos courtesy of the Beryl Ford Collection/Rotary Club of Tulsa, Tulsa City-County Library and the Tulsa Historical Society.

Out of curiosity I ventured Downtown to see where the Orpheum had been located.

Photos courtesy of the Beryl Ford Collection/Rotary Club of Tulsa, Tulsa City-County Library and the Tulsa Historical Society.

The green building behind the Mid-Continent building is approximately where the Orpheum was located. Notice the Kennedy Building and First National Bank Building on the right of the both pictures.

According to the poster Oklahoma Cowboy "Today the Orpheum kinda sorta still lives inside the (hopefully) temporarily shuttered Casa Bonita Restaurant as many ornate fixtures from both the Orpheum and Ritz were incorporated into this fantastic atmospheric eatery." Link I look forward to Casa Bonita reopening one day to see if I can spot these fixtures.

Crystal City

The Crystal City Shopping Center is located off Southwest Blvd. (old Route 66). It was built in 1960. Click on the photo above for more views of this deteriorating west side center.

"About 40 years ago, families could spend a day at Crystal City shopping center in southwest Tulsa, buying groceries, clothes and toys and enjoying meals at the restaurants in the shopping center.

Crystal City was a thriving retail center then, but those days are gone.

The shine has dimmed severely on Crystal City, which once had a Safeway and a TG&Y as its anchors to attract other businesses. On some days, Crystal City has about as many vacant, dilapidated stores as families who shop there." Link

The Crystal City Bowling Alley was turned into which was a Paint Ball Game Room by the locations last owner and is now vacant.

The Crystal City Shopping Center was once the site of Crystal City Park. Crystal City Park was the original location of the Zingo roller coaster that was later moved to Bell's Amusement Park.

This Link has postcard images of Crystal City Park that are dated 1927.

Thanks to the Tulsa Now Forum for information on Crystal City.

Forgotten Tulsa

Any comments/pictures that I have not created will be credited. All suggestions/memories are appreciated.