Guide

7 Historic Sites to Explore in Tulsa

By Emma Peters

Nicknamed the “Capital of Route 66,” Tulsa is home to 28 miles of the iconic highway. Neon signs and late-night diners glitter along the route, which runs through the city center.

Efforts to preserve the city’s architectural heritage date back to the 1960s and 1970s, when residents mobilized after the loss of several historic landmarks. In 1971, the University of Tulsa organized the Tulsa Landmarks Committee. In 1988, the Tulsa Preservation Commission was established to safeguard the city’s architectural and cultural heritage.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation supports this mission, helping to preserve the city’s landmarks and history. Next time you’re in Tulsa, consider visiting one of the historic sites listed below. If you’re interested in architecture and design, look to the Tulsa Foundation for Architecture for tours that showcase the city’s architectural legacy.

  2. An exterior view of a large white building with dark glass doors. Metal letters above the doors read "Tulsa Air and Space Museum." A United States flag and an Oklahoma state flag both stand beside the front doors.

    Photo By: Tulsaboy, Wikimedia Commons

    Tulsa Air and Space Museum

    The Tulsa Air and Space Museum, a Preserve Route 66 grant recipient, was founded in 1998 to showcase the aviation history of Tulsa and to inspire science-based learning. In 2005, it moved to its current location on the property of Tulsa International Airport. In 2006, the museum opened its James E. Bertelsmeyer Planetarium. Today, visitors can explore the museum’s exhibits, catch a screening at the planetarium, and peruse the museum’s aircraft collection.

    Learn More

  3. An exterior view of a white one-story house with a yellow front door and a red brick foundation. A rusty chain link fence surrounds the house.

    Photo By: TheDoctorWho, Wikimedia Commons

    The Outsiders House Museum

    The Outsiders House Museum is located in the house that served as the primary filming location for “The Outsiders" (1983), based on the novel by Tulsa author S. E. Hinton. The site was purchased by hip-hop artist Danny Boy O’Connor, who sought to restore it and create a museum dedicated to the novel and film. In 2019, O’Connor, Hinton, and actor C. Thomas Howell formally opened the museum to the public. Today, visitors can explore the restored house and its artifacts.

    Learn More

  4. An exterior view of a red brick building that has a large red vertical sign that reads "Circle." Matching red awnings stand over the building's four front-facing windows. A marquee stands over the building's front doors.

    Photo By: Lorax, Wikimedia Commons

    Circle Cinema

    Circle Cinema originally opened in 1928 but closed in the 1990s due to economic decline. In 2002, the Circle Cinema Foundation was founded by Clark Wiens and George Kravis. They worked to revitalize the theater, which reopened to the public in 2004. Today, the site—a Preserve Route 66 grant recipient—operates as a nonprofit theater. In addition to its auditoriums, it also houses an art gallery and regularly hosts events for the community.

    Learn More

  5. Black Wall Street Memorial at the Greenwood Cultural Center

    Photo By: Marc Carlson via Flickr CC By 2.0

    Historic Greenwood District

    Also known as “Black Wall Street,” the Greenwood District was established in the early 1900s. A self-sufficient district, it had its own newspaper, businesses, medical offices, grocery stores, and schools. That changed in 1921, when white residents attacked the district in a coordinated effort, razing 35 city blocks. While reconstruction took place in 1922, most businesses closed in the decades that followed as a result of both desegregation and the construction of Interstate 244. Today, the district celebrates resilience and unity. Visitors can explore its many independent businesses and learn more about its history at the Greenwood Rising Black Wall Street History Center, a recipient of a Preserve Route 66 grant.

    Learn More

  6. A view of a brick church in the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The chapel is on the right side with white trim and stained glass windows, with an shorter hall on the left.

    Photo By: Marc Carlson via Flickr CC-BY-2.0

    Vernon A.M.E. Church

    Located in the Historic Greenwood District, Vernon A.M.E. Church was founded in 1905. It is the only structure in the district that survived the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. An African American Cultural Heritage Fund grant recipient, the site is currently undergoing a renovation project to create the Vernon Witness Interpretive Center, which will house thousands of recovered artifacts and narratives showcasing the history of the district. While tours are temporarily paused due to renovation, visitors can view the church exterior or join its regular Sunday worship services.

    Learn More

  7. Tulsa Club Hotel, Exterior

    Photo By: Photitect

    Tulsa Club

    Designed by architect Bruce Goff, Tulsa Club opened in 1927. It provided recreational spaces for members in addition to practical services such as dormitories and a barbershop. It also housed the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce until the 1950s. However, membership declined over time, and in 1994 the club disbanded. In 2010, the city of Tulsa took ownership of the property. It was later purchased by new owners and reopened in 2019 as part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. Visitors are welcome to explore the Art Deco hotel’s public spaces.

    Learn More

  8. A multicultural mural with the word Tulsa written out amidst graphical representaitons of other cultural symbols is one of the features of the downtown Tulsa.

    Photo By: Alejandro Garcia

    Tulsa Global District

    Established in 2020, Tulsa Global District is a nonprofit organization and a Main Street America program that works to revitalize the city’s international district. A multicultural hub representing the languages and cultures of more than 25 countries, the district—long undervalued—is now a thriving community. Today, Tulsa Global District houses independent businesses, murals, and public art. It also hosts a suite of seasonal events, including festivals, movie screenings, and a night market.

    Learn More

Emma Peters is an associate manager at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. A history graduate, she is constantly humbled by the ways past lives and societies have shaped how we experience the present.

7 Historic Sites to Explore in Tulsa

8 Places
  1. 1
    An exterior view of a large white building with dark glass doors. Metal letters above the doors read "Tulsa Air and Space Museum." A United States flag and an Oklahoma state flag both stand beside the front doors.
    An exterior view of a large white building with dark glass doors. Metal letters above the doors read "Tulsa Air and Space Museum." A United States flag and an Oklahoma state flag both stand beside the front doors.

    Tulsa Air and Space Museum

    The Tulsa Air and Space Museum, a Preserve Route 66 grant recipient, was founded in 1998 to showcase the aviation history of Tulsa and to inspire science-based learning. In 2005, it moved to its current location on the property of Tulsa International Airport. In 2006, the museum opened its James E. Bertelsmeyer Planetarium. Today, visitors can explore the museum’s exhibits, catch a screening at the planetarium, and peruse the museum’s aircraft collection.
  2. 2
    An exterior view of a white one-story house with a yellow front door and a red brick foundation. A rusty chain link fence surrounds the house.
    An exterior view of a white one-story house with a yellow front door and a red brick foundation. A rusty chain link fence surrounds the house.

    The Outsiders House Museum

    The Outsiders House Museum is located in the house that served as the primary filming location for “The Outsiders" (1983), based on the novel by Tulsa author S. E. Hinton. The site was purchased by hip-hop artist Danny Boy O’Connor, who sought to restore it and create a museum dedicated to the novel and film. In 2019, O’Connor, Hinton, and actor C. Thomas Howell formally opened the museum to the public. Today, visitors can explore the restored house and its artifacts.
  3. 3
    An exterior view of a red brick building that has a large red vertical sign that reads "Circle." Matching red awnings stand over the building's four front-facing windows. A marquee stands over the building's front doors.
    An exterior view of a red brick building that has a large red vertical sign that reads "Circle." Matching red awnings stand over the building's four front-facing windows. A marquee stands over the building's front doors.

    Circle Cinema

    Circle Cinema originally opened in 1928 but closed in the 1990s due to economic decline. In 2002, the Circle Cinema Foundation was founded by Clark Wiens and George Kravis. They worked to revitalize the theater, which reopened to the public in 2004. Today, the site—a Preserve Route 66 grant recipient—operates as a nonprofit theater. In addition to its auditoriums, it also houses an art gallery and regularly hosts events for the community.
  4. 4
    Black Wall Street Memorial at the Greenwood Cultural Center
    Black Wall Street Memorial at the Greenwood Cultural Center

    Historic Greenwood District

    Also known as “Black Wall Street,” the Greenwood District was established in the early 1900s. A self-sufficient district, it had its own newspaper, businesses, medical offices, grocery stores, and schools. That changed in 1921, when white residents attacked the district in a coordinated effort, razing 35 city blocks. While reconstruction took place in 1922, most businesses closed in the decades that followed as a result of both desegregation and the construction of Interstate 244. Today, the district celebrates resilience and unity. Visitors can explore its many independent businesses and learn more about its history at the Greenwood Rising Black Wall Street History Center, a recipient of a Preserve Route 66 grant.
  5. 5
    A view of a brick church in the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The chapel is on the right side with white trim and stained glass windows, with an shorter hall on the left.
    A view of a brick church in the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The chapel is on the right side with white trim and stained glass windows, with an shorter hall on the left.

    Vernon A.M.E. Church

    Located in the Historic Greenwood District, Vernon A.M.E. Church was founded in 1905. It is the only structure in the district that survived the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. An African American Cultural Heritage Fund grant recipient, the site is currently undergoing a renovation project to create the Vernon Witness Interpretive Center, which will house thousands of recovered artifacts and narratives showcasing the history of the district. While tours are temporarily paused due to renovation, visitors can view the church exterior or join its regular Sunday worship services.
  6. 6
    Tulsa Club Hotel, Exterior
    Tulsa Club Hotel, Exterior

    Tulsa Club

    Designed by architect Bruce Goff, Tulsa Club opened in 1927. It provided recreational spaces for members in addition to practical services such as dormitories and a barbershop. It also housed the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce until the 1950s. However, membership declined over time, and in 1994 the club disbanded. In 2010, the city of Tulsa took ownership of the property. It was later purchased by new owners and reopened in 2019 as part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. Visitors are welcome to explore the Art Deco hotel’s public spaces.
  7. 7
    A multicultural mural with the word Tulsa written out amidst graphical representaitons of other cultural symbols is one of the features of the downtown Tulsa.
    A multicultural mural with the word Tulsa written out amidst graphical representaitons of other cultural symbols is one of the features of the downtown Tulsa.

    Tulsa Global District

    Established in 2020, Tulsa Global District is a nonprofit organization and a Main Street America program that works to revitalize the city’s international district. A multicultural hub representing the languages and cultures of more than 25 countries, the district—long undervalued—is now a thriving community. Today, Tulsa Global District houses independent businesses, murals, and public art. It also hosts a suite of seasonal events, including festivals, movie screenings, and a night market.
  1. 1
    An exterior view of a large white building with dark glass doors. Metal letters above the doors read "Tulsa Air and Space Museum." A United States flag and an Oklahoma state flag both stand beside the front doors.
    An exterior view of a large white building with dark glass doors. Metal letters above the doors read "Tulsa Air and Space Museum." A United States flag and an Oklahoma state flag both stand beside the front doors.

    Tulsa Air and Space Museum

    The Tulsa Air and Space Museum, a Preserve Route 66 grant recipient, was founded in 1998 to showcase the aviation history of Tulsa and to inspire science-based learning. In 2005, it moved to its current location on the property of Tulsa International Airport. In 2006, the museum opened its James E. Bertelsmeyer Planetarium. Today, visitors can explore the museum’s exhibits, catch a screening at the planetarium, and peruse the museum’s aircraft collection.
  2. 2
    An exterior view of a white one-story house with a yellow front door and a red brick foundation. A rusty chain link fence surrounds the house.
    An exterior view of a white one-story house with a yellow front door and a red brick foundation. A rusty chain link fence surrounds the house.

    The Outsiders House Museum

    The Outsiders House Museum is located in the house that served as the primary filming location for “The Outsiders" (1983), based on the novel by Tulsa author S. E. Hinton. The site was purchased by hip-hop artist Danny Boy O’Connor, who sought to restore it and create a museum dedicated to the novel and film. In 2019, O’Connor, Hinton, and actor C. Thomas Howell formally opened the museum to the public. Today, visitors can explore the restored house and its artifacts.
  3. 3
    An exterior view of a red brick building that has a large red vertical sign that reads "Circle." Matching red awnings stand over the building's four front-facing windows. A marquee stands over the building's front doors.
    An exterior view of a red brick building that has a large red vertical sign that reads "Circle." Matching red awnings stand over the building's four front-facing windows. A marquee stands over the building's front doors.

    Circle Cinema

    Circle Cinema originally opened in 1928 but closed in the 1990s due to economic decline. In 2002, the Circle Cinema Foundation was founded by Clark Wiens and George Kravis. They worked to revitalize the theater, which reopened to the public in 2004. Today, the site—a Preserve Route 66 grant recipient—operates as a nonprofit theater. In addition to its auditoriums, it also houses an art gallery and regularly hosts events for the community.
  4. 4
    Black Wall Street Memorial at the Greenwood Cultural Center
    Black Wall Street Memorial at the Greenwood Cultural Center

    Historic Greenwood District

    Also known as “Black Wall Street,” the Greenwood District was established in the early 1900s. A self-sufficient district, it had its own newspaper, businesses, medical offices, grocery stores, and schools. That changed in 1921, when white residents attacked the district in a coordinated effort, razing 35 city blocks. While reconstruction took place in 1922, most businesses closed in the decades that followed as a result of both desegregation and the construction of Interstate 244. Today, the district celebrates resilience and unity. Visitors can explore its many independent businesses and learn more about its history at the Greenwood Rising Black Wall Street History Center, a recipient of a Preserve Route 66 grant.
  5. 5
    A view of a brick church in the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The chapel is on the right side with white trim and stained glass windows, with an shorter hall on the left.
    A view of a brick church in the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The chapel is on the right side with white trim and stained glass windows, with an shorter hall on the left.

    Vernon A.M.E. Church

    Located in the Historic Greenwood District, Vernon A.M.E. Church was founded in 1905. It is the only structure in the district that survived the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. An African American Cultural Heritage Fund grant recipient, the site is currently undergoing a renovation project to create the Vernon Witness Interpretive Center, which will house thousands of recovered artifacts and narratives showcasing the history of the district. While tours are temporarily paused due to renovation, visitors can view the church exterior or join its regular Sunday worship services.
  6. 6
    Tulsa Club Hotel, Exterior
    Tulsa Club Hotel, Exterior

    Tulsa Club

    Designed by architect Bruce Goff, Tulsa Club opened in 1927. It provided recreational spaces for members in addition to practical services such as dormitories and a barbershop. It also housed the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce until the 1950s. However, membership declined over time, and in 1994 the club disbanded. In 2010, the city of Tulsa took ownership of the property. It was later purchased by new owners and reopened in 2019 as part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. Visitors are welcome to explore the Art Deco hotel’s public spaces.
  7. 7
    A multicultural mural with the word Tulsa written out amidst graphical representaitons of other cultural symbols is one of the features of the downtown Tulsa.
    A multicultural mural with the word Tulsa written out amidst graphical representaitons of other cultural symbols is one of the features of the downtown Tulsa.

    Tulsa Global District

    Established in 2020, Tulsa Global District is a nonprofit organization and a Main Street America program that works to revitalize the city’s international district. A multicultural hub representing the languages and cultures of more than 25 countries, the district—long undervalued—is now a thriving community. Today, Tulsa Global District houses independent businesses, murals, and public art. It also hosts a suite of seasonal events, including festivals, movie screenings, and a night market.

Travel with us on an epic trip along Historic Route 66, and help preserve an iconic piece of Americana.

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