Downtown Tulsa Self-Guided Historic Walking Tour

The Downtown Tulsa Self-Guided Historic Walking Tour offers a comprehensive exploration of the Central Business District, showcasing its rich history and architectural diversity. The tour highlights the area's evolution from the opulence of the oil boom in the 1920s, featuring notable Art Deco influences and various architectural styles that reflect the city's development over the decades. A significant number of these historical architectural treasures have been preserved through adaptive reuse, ensuring their continued relevance in the modern skyline, which now includes contemporary structures such as the Bank of Oklahoma Tower.

The guide details fifty significant buildings and landmarks within the downtown area, each identified by their historical names along with current names and principal occupants. The buildings are classified with designations indicating their historical importance, such as being listed on the National Register of Historic Places or noted for their Art Deco significance. Some highlighted buildings include the Mayo Hotel, once Oklahoma's tallest building, renowned for its luxurious accommodations and illustrious guests.

Also featured is the Pythian Building, celebrated for its elaborate Art Deco interior, and the classical McFarlin Building, which showcases the architectural style preceding the Art Deco era. The Sinclari (Thurston) Building, originally built for oil magnate Harry F. Sinclair, exemplifies the period's commercial ambition, while the Public Service Company of Oklahoma Building displays impressive Zig-Zag Art Deco architecture.

Other notable sites on the tour include the iconic Philtower, known as the 'Queen of the Tulsa Skyline,' and the Philcade, which combines Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles in its ornate lobby. The tour also covers significant public and civic buildings, such as the Tulsa Municipal Building and the historic Tulsa Union Depot, which underwent innovative renovations for modern use.

The guide highlights the architectural diversity found throughout downtown, including various styles, materials, and historical narratives behind each structure. The tour not only aims to educate participants about Tulsa's architectural heritage but also encourages awareness and appreciation of these historical sites. By providing insights into the city's past through its buildings, the self-guided tour offers a unique opportunity to experience downtown Tulsa's rich cultural heritage.