10 Facts About Tulsa Oklahoma In The 1960s

Alrighty, folks, buckle up your seatbelts 'cause we're about to take a little trip back in time to the groovy '60s, but not just any old '60s, we're talkin' 'bout Tulsa, Oklahoma! Now, I know what you're thinkin', "Tulsa? In the '60s? Wasn't that just a bunch of tumbleweeds and dusty cowboys?" Well, hold onto your ten-gallon hats, 'cause I'm about to blow your minds with some facts that'll make you say, "Yeehaw!"

Fact 1: Tulsa Had a Thing for Gold

Now, you might think Tulsa was named after some fancy Native American word, but no sirree! It's actually short for "Tulsey Town," which was a nickname given to the city because of all the wild tulips that used to bloom there. But here's where it gets weird, folks. In the '60s, Tulsa was so obsessed with gold that they decided to paint the town... gold. Yes, you heard it right. The whole darn city was a shimmering, golden spectacle. It was like living in a real-life Willy Wonka factory, but with less chocolate and more... gold.

Fact 2: The Golden Driller Was Born

Speaking of gold, you can't talk about '60s Tulsa without mentioning the most iconic symbol of the city, the Golden Driller. This 76-foot-tall statue of a driller was built in 1966 to celebrate the oil industry. Now, I've seen some big statues in my time, but this guy? He's a real giant among men. He's so tall, in fact, that he once had a run-in with a low-flying plane. The pilot had to swerve at the last second to avoid a very expensive game of "Statue Bowling."

Fact 3: Tulsa Was a Hotbed of Jazz

Alright, let's put down the gold for a second and talk about something a little more... melodic. You might not know this, but Tulsa was a major hub for jazz music in the '60s. We're talkin' about legends like Chet Baker, Ella Fitzgerald, and even a young, up-and-coming Miles Davis. The city was so jazz-crazy that they even had a jazz radio station, KVOO, which was so popular that it was known as "The Voice of Oklahoma." Now, I don't know about you, but I think "The Voice of Oklahoma" sounds like a pretty sweet superpower.

Fact 4: Tulsa Had a Secret Weapon Against Crime

Now, you might be thinking, "That's all well and good, but what about law and order? How did Tulsa keep its streets safe in the '60s?" Well, folks, Tulsa had a secret weapon: a giant, mechanical police officer named "RoboCop." Just kidding, just kidding! They actually had a police dog named "Bulldog" who was so good at his job that he was promoted to the rank of sergeant. I know, I know, it's not quite as impressive as a giant, mechanical police officer, but still, a sergeant dog? That's pretty darn cool.

Fact 5: Tulsa Was Home to the First Sonic Drive-In

Alright, folks, let's talk food. Now, I don't know about you, but I'm a big fan of burgers, and I'm also a big fan of cars. So, you can imagine my excitement when I found out that the first Sonic Drive-In was opened in Tulsa in 1953. That's right, folks, the original Sonic was born right here in Tulsa! Now, I don't know about you, but I think that deserves a round of applause. And maybe a milkshake. Definitely a milkshake.

RARE DOWNTOWN TULSA, OK 1960S - Footage from airplane shows 4th

Fact 6: Tulsa Had a Thing for Planes, Too

Now, we've talked about Tulsa's love for gold and jazz, but did you know that they also had a thing for planes? In the '60s, Tulsa was home to the famous "Pilots 'n Petticoats" air show, which was exactly what it sounds like: a bunch of pilots showing off their fancy flying skills while a bunch of ladies in petticoats watched. Now, I don't know about you, but I think that sounds like a pretty fun day out.

Fact 7: Tulsa Was Home to the First Shopping Center

Alright, let's talk shopping. Now, you might think that the first shopping center was built in some fancy, big city like New York or Paris, but no sirree! The first shopping center was actually built right here in Tulsa in 1927. It was called the Mid-Continent Shopping Center, and it was so popular that it attracted shoppers from all over the state. Now, I don't know about you, but I think that deserves a round of applause. And maybe a shopping spree.

Fact 8: Tulsa Had a Thing for Dinosaurs

Now, you might think that dinosaurs went extinct a long time ago, but not in Tulsa! In the '60s, Tulsa was home to the world's largest collection of dinosaur eggs. That's right, folks, we're talkin' about a whole bunch of baby dinosaurs just waitin' to hatch. Now, I don't know about you, but I think that sounds like a pretty exciting place to live.

Tulsa, Oklahoma in the 1960s by Saba Hajek Groenendijk on Prezi

Fact 9: Tulsa Was Home to the First McDonald's in Oklahoma

Alright, folks, let's talk fast food. Now, you might think that the first McDonald's was opened in some big, bustling city, but no sirree! The first McDonald's in Oklahoma was actually opened right here in Tulsa in 1955. Now, I don't know about you, but I think that deserves a round of applause. And maybe a Quarter Pounder with Cheese.

Fact 10: Tulsa Was Home to the First Shopping Mall in Oklahoma

Now, we've talked about the first shopping center, but did you know that Tulsa was also home to the first shopping mall in Oklahoma? That's right, folks, the first indoor shopping mall in the state was opened in Tulsa in 1961. It was called the Tulsa Promenade, and it was so popular that it attracted shoppers from all over the state. Now, I don't know about you, but I think that sounds like a pretty fun place to spend a Saturday afternoon.

And there you have it, folks! Ten facts about Tulsa in the '60s that'll make you say, "Well, butter my biscuit!" I hope you enjoyed this little trip down memory lane, and who knows? Maybe next time you're in Tulsa, you'll see a golden statue waving at you, or maybe you'll hear the sweet sounds of jazz wafting through the air. Either way, you'll have a newfound appreciation for this groovy little city. Until next time, folks!