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.
LinkCompare 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
3 comments:
I worked on the remodelling-maintenance crew of this building from 1975 to 1980. I remember removing the lighthouse.
My dad's office was on the top floor of the Beacon Building in the early 1970s (1972- until about 1974). He later moved his company's offices over closer to our house at 36th and Yale. His office was at the back of the building in a corner and it was also a life insurance company, Independent Life (headquartered out of Jacksonville, FL - now defunct). At that time, the elevators were still original and had gates and elevator operators running them.
July, 2016. The original beacon has been found! The crew that is remodeling the building this summer has found the beacon under the floor of the basement. From the very top of building to below it! I think there is a plan to reinstall it! We'll see!
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