Tulsa, Oklahoma has a population of approximately 756,500 and became a flourishing city with the discovery of the large amounts of oil present in the area during the 1920s. The discovery of oil led to a large population growth in Tulsa as well as a rise in the city’s economic status when the city became nicknamed the “Oil Capital of the World.” However, the origins of Tulsa predate the oil boom of the early 1900s. The Creek Indians are credited with being the first to settle the land that was then called Tallasi and later became known as Tulsa.

Museums

There are several great museums that can be found in Tulsa such as the Gilcrease and the Philbrook. The Gilcrease plays host to an excellent collection of Western-style art and was erected by Thomas Gilcrease who made a very good living in the oil industry. The Philbrook was once the residence of another oil tycoon by the name of Waite Philips and now stands as a monument to gardening excellence as the location is home to 23 acres of well-manicured landscapes and 26 onsite art galleries.

Architecture

One of Tulsa’s landmarks, that pays tribute to the oil found in the region, is the 75 foot-tall statue called the Golden Driller located in front of the Tulsa Exhibition Center. The Union Depot, the Boston Building, and the Gothic-styled Philtower are three architectural masterpieces that showcase the Art Deco style of design for which many of Tulsa’s historic buildings are famous. The Prayer Tower is another popular tourist attraction that can be found on the campus of Oral Roberts University. The university, founded by famous evangelist Oral Roberts in 1963, is now an institution of higher learning for more than 5,000 students.

Attractions

The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame is located in Topeka and offers exhibits that pay homage to such jazz greats as Charlie Christian, Jay McShann, Wardell Gray, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, and Cab Calloway. Topeka is also the home of the Tulsa Zoo which is considered to be one of the finest zoos in the nation and features a Tropical Rain Forest attraction that measures 15,000 square feet.