Five Indian tribes had come to this area of open, unsettled prairie land. They brought their skills and traditions with them and called it home. By January 1898, the area was settled, thanks to those tribes, and it would be incorporated under the name Tulsa. By 1901, oil was discovered, and that open, unsettled prairie began to boom. By 1920, the population shot up from 7,000 to over 70,000.
Oil-related businesses would become the city’s main source of income, but Tulsa would not let that be the only industry! The oil boom would move from Tulsa and move southward to Texas, so diversification pumped up and it came many other industries such as aeronautics, education, healthcare, manufacturing, and much more.
Tulsa is often considered by many as where the West starts and in 1879, the opening of a post office would draw more major businesses. In just a few years, the Frisco Railroad was established through Tulsa which brought even more business.
Today, Tulsa is referred to as “The Heart of Oklahoma” and the oak tree that was the site of the first town council meeting still stands. There are city parks and more beautiful outdoor areas that families and visitors can enjoy year-round.
Tulsa has a cultured side as well with several different venues of fine arts such as the ballet and the opera. Tulsa is home to some of the most renowned museums in the world, too.The Gilcrease Museum is the most famous. While Tulsa was once a wild west town in the early years, today, it is a diverse city that is growing each day.
