Tulsa Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Tulsa

Straddling the Arkansas River in the U.S. state of Oklahoma, the city of Tulsa is deeply rooted in the Native American history and, more recently, in the oil industry too.

The area of modern Tulsa is considered an Indian Territory, and has been formally settled by Native Americans since 1836. The tribesmen named their settlement Tallasi, which means "old town" in the Creek language, which later became "Tulsa".

The city was officially incorporated in 1898, and, following the discovery of the grand Glenn Pool Oil Reserve in 1905, had seen a surge in population prompted by a rush of entrepreneurs. Known as the "Oil Capital of the World" for most of the 20th century, the city's success in the energy industry fueled construction booms in the popular Art Deco style of the time, resulting in a number of eye-catching structures, such as the Boston Avenue Methodist Church, the Philtower, and more.

Profits from the oil industry continued through the Great Depression, helping the city's economy fare better than most in the United States during the 1930s. The completion of U.S. Route 66 around that time, linking Chicago to Los Angeles, was initiated in Tulsa and has subsequently earned it the nickname "the Birthplace of Route 66". The road played an important role in the city's development as a popular rest stop for travelers.

Owing to its master plan envisaging the construction of parks, churches, museums, and improving infrastructure, in the 1950s Time magazine dubbed Tulsa as "America's Most Beautiful City."

Tulsa's large conservative following, with the majority of locals being Christians, is reflected in a high percentage of Catholics, descendants of the settlers arrived during the oil boom. The Roman Catholic Holy Family Cathedral, the mother church of the Diocese of Tulsa, is now one of the city's key local attractions.

On the artistic side, the prominent downtown sub-district Brady Arts is a home to the Brady Theater, a major performing arts venue, currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Another key location, the centerpiece of the Tulsa Arts District, is the Woody Guthrie Center, famed among other things for its association with singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, whose archive is showcased here.

For a more detailed acquaintance with Tulsa and to experience the warmth of Midwestern nostalgia, take this self-guided walking tour.