Modern Homes Make Way for I-44

The widening of I-44 through Tulsa passed a new milestone last week.

Skelly Drive between Riverside Drive and Yale Avenue has remained virtually unchanged since it was built in 1957. In 2005 ODOT released this PDF showing plans of the proposed highway widening west of Yale. The massive, and controversial, undertaking of widening this stretch of interstate began on the west end near Riverside. Homes near Peoria have been moved or demolished.

But last week the first recent work on the west side of Yale Avenue was visible as two duplexes were leveled.

This area along the north side of I-44 is the edge of the Patrick Henry neighborhood, an area known for nice examples of Fifties and Sixties architecture. Most of the dwellings being razed to make way for the highway are duplexes between Pittsburgh and Toledo. Unfortunately one block of very nice mid-century homes on 49th Place will also be lost. Not to mention the old brick gateway for Patrick Henry IV!

Some of these doomed houses are unique, and I thought worth documenting. So I grabbed my camera to snap a few pix before the bulldozers arrived. Here's a view showing the row of homes soon to be torn down, we're looking west along 49th Place from Knoxville.


Here's a house I've always admired (and pondered why anyone would molest it with porch lights like that). Jackie calls it the Cake Frosting House because of the mortar squishing out between the bricks. It's quite original, including the gravel roof and skylights over the patio.


This is one of the more unusual houses in the area. It's interior patio/entryway is very reminiscent of an Eichler, or what we used to call Patio Homes. We usually refer to it as the Office Building House.


There are many other historic Tulsa structures and businesses being moved or demolished to make way for I-44. But widening of of this portion of highway is long overdue. It's just sad to see them go.

Meet Modern Tulsa

The Tulsa Foundation for Architecture (TFA) has formed a Modern Tulsa committee to increase awareness of the city's architectural treasure since the Art Deco period. The group will be holding their first soiree on May 8, 2008 and the public is invited.

There is no charge to attend, but an RSVP would be appreciated. Contact Shane Hood at 918-587-2282 (work) or 918-810-7271 (cell) or email shane.hood@selserschaefer.com

In official-speak Modern Tulsa is described thus:

"Modern Tulsa is a volunteer endeavor focused on enhancing the appreciation of Tulsa's 20th Century Modern Design and Pop-Culture Heritage. Operating as a committee of the Tulsa Foundation for Architecture, Modern Tulsa aims to perpetuate Tulsa's Modern Heritage via promotion, preservation and education."

This modern mixer will be held at the Fadem residence, an early Sixties home featured in Tulsa People last July. The Fadems also operate Retro Redo, which specializes in the restoration of mid-century furniture.

TFA may be familiar to some of you as the organization behind the reprinting of Tulsa Art Deco, a book documenting many of Tulsa's treasured Art Deco buildings through the photography of David Halpern. Originally published in 1980 by the Junior League of Tulsa, the TFA sponsored an updated second edition in 2001.

Modern Tulsa Kick-Off
May 8, 2008
7 - 9 pm
6529 S Jamestown

For more information on the Modern Tulsa committee or the upcoming event call TFA at 918-583-5550 or visit www.moderntulsa.com.

Bowling on the Mother Road

Tulsa's iconic Rose Bowl bowling alley has been closed for almost three years now. The parabolas of concrete have been the victim of arson, vandals and a non-compete clause that won't allow anyone to open a bowling alley on the site. But the current owner, Sam Baker, claims the structure is sound. Rumors of a Route 66 museum have been tossed around for some time.

So far the only progress has been a much-needed coat of paint.

When it was announced the Googie-esque lanes were to close I rushed over with camera in hand. These pictures are from March 2005 and give you some idea just how hideous the paint scheme looked at that time. I'm happy to report it's pink again.

The Rose Bowl opened in 1962 and was designed by modernist architect Bill Ryan. He also designed the oft-maligned East Central High School and the Lutheran church that overlooks the Broken Arrow Expressway like a huge concrete chicken.

That's My Kind of Carport

During a recent visit to the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, I was reminded how many interesting homes there are in Norman. Driving north on Chautauqua Avenue we spotted one of our favorites on the corner of Brooks.

Behind the sandstone wall is a home built in 1948 designed by Oklahoma's own Bruce Goff. The house combines natural materials with straight clean lines.

Viewed from the street the H. E. Ledbetter home is probably one of Goff's more "usual" designs. Although the circular awning suspended over the drive is pretty darn unusual.

Miscellany from Bartlesville

Avid readers are probably aware that several months ago I "discovered" an aging Lustron home in Bartlessville. I came across some other photos from that trip and thought I'd share them. As always, click the image to view it larger.

But first a word from our sponsor...


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This is a weird grouping of lights at an old gas station. I happened to notice them because they're right across the street from the aforementioned Lustron!


This sign caught my eye mostly because of the interesting flying vee shape and random pattern created by the holes. The glory days of the Commanche Center may be long gone- but the sign lives on. Tre mondo!


That's it for this time. Hope you weren't expecting a manifest!

Modern Homes: Johansen Acres

Looking for all the world like a Palm Springs motel, you'd expect to find a swimming pool behind that wall!

This low-slung modern abode is located in Johnston Acres, a Tulsa neighborhood between Sheridan and Memorial south of 21st Street. Homes in this area aren't just ranch-style, they really are ranches. Each home was originally on a one acre lot. Most are classic Fifties ranch or minimal traditional. You'll also enjoy a few flat tops and lots of sandstone brick.

McDonalds Moderne

Some people know this as the Glass House, others know it as the world's largest McDonald's. I remember it from childhood as a symbol of transcontinental travel.

It was built spanning I-44, aka the Will Roger's Turnpike, in 1958 as a Conoco gas station and the Glass House restaurant. Located near Vinita, Oklahoma, it marked the halfway point between Tulsa and Joplin, Missouri. It was the first restaurant in the U.S. built over a public highway. In addition to the distinctive steel arches, the windows were covered by large aluminum shutters that slowly turned throughout the day to shade the interior. The mechanism can still be seen today, but the shutters have long since been static.

The Glass House was an instant hit with tourists and well-to-do locals. Area high schools even had their proms inside the futuristic hall. It was not uncommon for confused visitors to exit on the opposite end and think their car had been stolen. Today exits are designated as "westbound" or "eastbound."

In the mid Seventies it became a Howard Johnson. It was later bought by McDonald's, and for a time held the dubious distinction of being the world's largest. This was a bit misleading because the actual restaurant (does that term apply to a McDonald's?) was no bigger than the average food court version you'll find in any suburban shopping mall. The title was based on the 20,236 square feet of the building- which includes a souvenir shop, ice cream vendor, etc. Today the largest is in Orlando.

Oklahoma once had another turnpike span, also on I-44, located near Stroud. It was called Midway Plaza in reference to the halfway point between Oklahoma City and Tulsa. While aesthetically modern, it was merely an enclosed pedestrian bridge for motorists to cross over the highway. Midway was later torn down and a McDonald's was built between the highway lanes. No bridge needed.


Postacard showing the bridge and HoJo on the Turner Turnpike near Stroud.