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Tulsa, California
Tulsa is the second biggest
city in Oklahoma, sits on the Arkansas River and is located in Tornado
Alley. On the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, it was settled in the early
1800s by the Creek Indians. The Tulsa race riot was one of the biggest and
most terrible events of racial trouble in the nation. Much of the last
century it was nicknamed the oil capital of the world and is one of the most
prominent centers for the industry. Route 66 started here, as well as
western swing music and the city is the biggest inland riverport in the
country. Oral Roberts University and the University of Tulsa have teams in
the NCAA, most art deco architecture in the nation, opera and ballet
companies and two world famous museums. It is a diverse city that has been
called one of the most livable cities in the country by Forbes and Relocate
America.
Tulsa has had a dynamic rise in the nation, ever since
the first Creek settled in the area in 1836. Incorporated in 1898, just a
few years later, the first oil well was discovered and the boom began.
Within 30 years, the population had risen to 130,000 citizens and large
numbers of entrepreneurs were coming to the city. Even during the
depression, the city fared well, as huge profits from the oil rigs continued
to grow, as did the city of Tulsa. During that time, the city was often
called the Black Wall street of America, since so many affluent blacks lived
in one area. It eventually caused a riot in 1921, with numerous people
killed and hospitalized. Over 300 people died during that horrible event.
In 1927, Cyrus Avery, a local businessman came up with
an idea to make the trek from Chicago to California easier with an
interstate highway numbered route 66. This brought the city many travelers
on their way to either destination and it became a very popular place for
people to stop and rest. Bob Wills and his country group the Texas Playboys
started a long performing gig at the Cain's Ballroom in downtown and brought
many other famous groups to the area to perform. Much of the wealth went
into infrastructure in the city, building parks, churches, rose gardens,
museums and national advertising. The Spavinaw Dam was constructed to
accommodate the water needs of the city and was the biggest public works
project of the time. In the early 1980s, the area went through a freefall,
as prices fell and companies left the area, probably heading to the middle
east. The city was hit terribly, but within 10 years had recovered, but
city leaders were intent on getting away from the oil and energy industries.
The year 2003 brought renewed interest in
revitalization in the city and attracting tourists to the area. The main
venue of this project was the BOK center which would house the sports teams,
and a place for concerts and conventions. Another remarkable project was
the creation of a national monument standing higher than any other free
standing object in the world. It will be called the American and stand 60
feet higher than the statue of Liberty, and considered in the class of the
statue; gateway arch in St. Louis and Mount Rushmore. It is an epic project
that was supposed to have been completed in 2007, but still is in the
process of being built. The 217 foot bronze statue will be of a Native
American, northwest of downtown Tulsa and the figure will have a bald eagle
sitting on his shoulder. As of June, 2009, no more information is
available.
On your next visit to
Tulsa, you can save money and time by renting a car. By
renting a car, you will add flexibility to your vacation or visit
and have less worries about getting around. Many people will pick
up their rental car at or near the Tulsa International Airport where
they have a larger selection. The rental car company can pick you
up at or near the Tulsa International Airport making it that much
easier for you. They will help you choose the best vehicle for your
needs whether it be a compact, mid-size, full-size, luxury car, SUV
or minivan. So, the next time you come to Tulsa, contact your
favorite rental car company and start your visit off right.
Dollar Rental Car Specials
Dollar Rental Car - Tulsa International
Airport
The Tulsa zoo is owned
and maintained by the city. It sits on 84 acres in Mohawk Park, the third
biggest municipal park in the country, with more than 2800 animals on site.
Quite a few of the animals are endangered and rare, with over a half a
million people visiting each year. There are 8 areas of interest, with much
more to see overall; the Robert J. LaFortune North American Living Museum
complex, within 4 buildings representing the four areas of our country;
Africa; tropical American rainforest; Dave Zucconi Conservation Center;
Asia; oceans and islands; children's zoo and the education areas. All of
these incredible areas will involve much more than can be stated, so the
best thing to do is to plan on visiting. It is the third biggest zoo in the
country and certainly one of the most exciting and interesting
Thrifty Rental
Car Specials
Thrifty Rental Car - Tulsa Airport
The Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa is one of the most
fantastic places in the nation. The home of former oil pioneer Waite
Phillips and his wife Genevieve, in 2007, the museum had a staff of 60
people and a $6 million budget. The Italian Renaissance villa was built in
1926 and took a year, it is constructed of steel and concrete, contains 72
rooms and sits on 23 magnificent acres of incredible beauty. The exquisite
landscaping was fashioned after the Villa Lante estate north of Rome built
in 1566. It was given to the city in 1938 and opened in 1939 and is home to
one of the most wonderful collections in the world. It is well known for
its African art and Native American collection with art from the Renaissance
and Baroque periods with sculpture, carvings, Asian paintings, European art
and sculpture, lithographs and outdoor sculptures and monuments. |