Historical Markers in
Tulsa County, Oklahoma

10th Street & Main Street A New Century 1901-1926 Admiral Place Bama Pie Company Battle of Chustenahlah Battle of Chusto-Talasah Battle of Chusto-Talasah or "Caving Banks" Battle of Round Mountain Black Wall Street - 1921 Blue Dome District Booker T. Washington High School Casa Loma Hotel (Campbell Hotel) Cathedral Square Clinton Heights Colonial Garden Confederate Memorial Creek Nation Council Oak Memorial Creek Stickball Park Crystal City Cyrus Avery Cyrus Avery Route 66 Memorial Bridge Cyrus Stevens Avery David L. Boren Boulevard Dry Cleaners Electricity for Tulsa Elliott Building Expo Square First Gas Processing Plant West of Mississippi River First Oil Well in Tulsa County First Presbyterian Church Centennial Glenn Pool History of This Site In Recognition of Elizabeth Russell Sullivan Indian Memorial International Petroleum Exposition John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park Leyh Building Lynching in America / The 1921 Tulsa Massacre Mabel B. Little Heritage House Mary Veasey Leech McIntyre Airport Mt. Zion Baptist Church Not Just a Ball Game Oil Capital Motel Oklahoma Natural Gas Company Building Pearls Along the Route 66 Highway Pentane (C5H12) Molecular Model Perryman Cemetery Philtower Building Pioneer Association Picnic Grounds 1921 Memorial Quanah Retail Center Red Fork Replica of the Statue of Liberty Rose Bowl Lanes Route 66 Historical Village Route 66 Motels Sapulpa Road Saving the Meadow Gold Sign Schusterman Center Clinic Settlement of the Nations 1836-1866 Sieling Park Simón Bolívar The American Milkman The Bridge Builder The Bridge that Saved Tulsa The Era of World War II The Fabric of a Community The Gillies The Golden Drumstick Restaurant The Green Book The Historic Greenwood District The History of Meadow Gold The History of Neon Signs The J.M. & H.C. Hall Mercantile Company The Motoring Public 1926 The Tulsa Race Riot of 1921 The University of Oklahoma Schusterman Learning Center The University of Tulsa. Tower of Reconciliation and Healing Walkway Transition 1866-1901 Tulsa Auto Court Tulsa Monument Company Tulsa Oklahoma World War Memorial Tulsa Union Depot Tulsa, Oklahoma Tulsa's 11th Street Bridge Tulsa's 11th Street Bridge Tulsa's First Oil Strike Tulsa's First Post Office Tulsa's Oldest House Tulsey Town Overpass Twin Mounds Cemetery and Community Twin Mounds Community University of Oklahoma Schusterman Center Vernon A.M.E. Church Veterans Building War Memorial Warner Brothers Marker Washington Irving Washington Irving Washington Irving’s Camp West Tulsa White City Historic District Neighborhood Whittier Square Whittier Square Will Rogers Motor Court Wolf Robe Hunt's Indian Trading Post "East Meets West"
The first oil well in Oklahoma was drilled in 1897 in what is now Bartlesville. The discovery of oil in Oklahoma led to a boom in the state's economy, and it quickly became one of the largest oil-producing states in the country.
Oklahoma random facts
Tulsa County, Oklahoma's history dates back thousands of years, as it was originally inhabited by various Indigenous peoples, including the Osage, Creek, and Cherokee tribes. The land later came under the ownership of the United States government through various treaties and the forced removal of Indigenous peoples to reservations in the 19th century.

The modern history of Tulsa County began in 1882, when the Creek Nation sold a portion of its land to the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, leading to the establishment of a settlement known as "Tulsey Town." The town grew rapidly, attracting settlers and becoming a bustling center for trade and commerce. In 1901, Tulsa officially incorporated as a city, with oil being discovered in the area shortly after.

The early 20th century witnessed an oil boom in Tulsa County, transforming the city into the "Oil Capital of the World." The population skyrocketed, and oil barons built stunning mansions along what is now known as "Millionaire Row." The wealth generated by the oil industry fueled the growth of numerous industries, including aviation.

Tulsa County also holds a tragic chapter in its history. In 1921, it experienced one of the deadliest incidents of racial violence in U.S. history, known as the Tulsa Race Massacre. A prosperous African American community called Greenwood was destroyed, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people and the displacement of thousands. The event remained largely hidden from history until recent years.

Today, Tulsa County is a diverse and vibrant community, known for its rich oil heritage, vibrant arts scene, and growing economy. The city has made efforts to acknowledge and address the historical trauma of the Tulsa Race Massacre, including the establishment of the Greenwood Cultural Center and the ongoing process of searching for mass grave sites. Tulsa County continues to thrive as a regional hub of business, culture, and education.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Tulsa County, Oklahoma.

  • 1836 - The area that would later become Tulsa County is part of the Creek Nation's land in the Indian Territory.
  • 1836 - The Treaty of New Echota results in the forced removal of the Creek Nation to the Indian Territory.
  • 1861-1865 - The Civil War results in the Indian Territory being divided into Confederate and Union territories.
  • 1870s - The first settlements are established in the area, including Tulsey Town, which later becomes Tulsa.
  • 1901 - Tulsa becomes incorporated as a city.
  • 1905 - Tulsa County is established, with Tulsa as its county seat.
  • 1921 - The Tulsa Race Massacre occurs, resulting in the destruction of the prosperous African American community of Greenwood.
  • 1928 - The first oil discovery in Tulsa County leads to a boom in the oil industry and economic growth.
  • 1957 - The construction of the Arkansas River Navigation System allows for barge transportation, boosting trade and commerce in the area.
  • 1980s - Tulsa experiences an economic downturn due to the collapse of the oil industry.
  • 2000s - Tulsa undergoes revitalization efforts with the development of the BOK Center, Gathering Place, and other projects.