Coffee Deco

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

The John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park memorializes the 1921 Race Riot. It's a beautiful park that pays homage to the African American and Native American heritage that helped build Oklahoma. The Reconciliation Tower, located in the center of the park, tells the story of blacks in Oklahoma starting before statehood, and ending with Greenwood and the Race Riot. The tower recognizes prominent black men from Greenwood's past, and important black historical figures in Oklahoma's history.
I walked around the tower about six or seven times following the stories depicted all the way to the top. I also enjoyed walking the Healing Walkway. As I strolled along the maze like path I reflected on the city's history, and how we are thriving today.

Reconciliation Tower (center) in The John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park
Coffee Deco Photography ©

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Pour the Perfect Pour Over

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Standpipe Hill

Standpipe Hill 1910
Photograph: Beryl Ford Collection
Courtesy of Tulsa County Library

Standpipe Hill is located just north of downtown between Cincinnati and Main avenues. In the early 1900s a water reservoir called a standpipe tank was built atop the hill, bringing water from the Arkansas River to the city. Standpipe Hill stood witness to some of the most monumental events in Tulsa's history, including the 1921 Race Riot. Eventually the name was changed to Cherokee Hill when the water tank was demolished in the 1920s. At this time there was a need to connect communities north of Standpipe Hill with downtown so the hill was divided by North Cincinnati Avenue. Presently OSU-Tulsa resides on the western portion of the hill, and the rubble of an old neighborhood that has since been demolished lies on the eastern portion. OSU-Tulsa has nearly completed its most recent construction project directly on top of what would be the last remaining portion of the western half of Standpipe Hill.However, there is a wonderful view of the city from the eastern portion of the hill and a stirring energy from memories of the past.

The destruction as seen from Standpipe Hill following the Race Riot June 1, 1921
Photograph: Beryl Ford Collection
Courtesy of Tulsa County Library

Tulsa Skyline from Standpipe Hill 1928
Photograph: Beryl Ford Collection
Courtesy of Tulsa County Library

The view from Standpipe Hill 2014
Coffee Deco Photography ©

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

The Gypsy Coffeehouse 303 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Tulsa, OK 74013

Coffee Deco Photography ©

303 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. ( formerly 303 N. Cincinnati Avenue) was home to The Gypsy Oil Company until the 1930s. The company sprang up in Tulsa sometime around the early 1900s. The Gypsy Oil Company eventually became Gulf Oil Oklahoma, and then the Warren Petroleum Company. The building had many owners until it was purchased and renovated in the late 90s.
In 2000 The Gypsy Coffeehouse and Cybercafe was opened. The Gypsy has been a Tulsa icon for almost 15 years, I know I spent many weekends hanging out here late at night during my high school days. The Gypsy was one of the first coffeehouses in Tulsa to put true coffeehouses on the map in the city. When somebody thinks of a coffeehouse they probably imagine a place like Gypsy.
For the full story about The Gypsy's history and renovation go here.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

The Mayo Hotel 115 W 5th St, Tulsa, OK 74103

The Mayo Hotel opened in downtown Tulsa in 1925, it was the tallest building in Oklahoma at the time. During its early days it was a social hub for the rich and famous. After years of struggling to stay open, the Mayo closed its doors in the early 1980s, and remained vacant for nearly 30 years. The Snyder family bought the property in the early 2000s and reopened the doors to the Mayo Hotel in 2009. It costs millions of dollars and took nearly ten years to renovate the Mayo to its former state. The Mayo holds a great deal of significance to Tulsa, it is a landmark to this city, a glimmer of the way things used to be and a look at where they are headed now.