What do you remember?

[Steve]

Speaking of old Tulsa telephone exchanges, does anyone out there remember when Tulsa converted from 5-digit phone numbers to 7-digit numbers?  I know as late as 1954, Tulsa still had 5-digit numbers.  Just curious.

[RexBrown]

Just came across this depressing bit of video showing the final moments of the Cadillac dealership downtown. The building was last occupied by L & M Office Furniture. Before that it had been Thomas Cadillac for many years. I believe it was built originally as a Cadillac and La Salle dealership but I don't recall the name.

[billintulsa]

I have NO idea what popped this into mind, but for some reason after reading through this thread I recalled Cinderella Bootery (a shoe store which used to be on Main street).

Ah, the memories.

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by billintulsa

I have NO idea what popped this into mind, but for some reason after reading through this thread I recalled Cinderella Bootery (a shoe store which used to be on Main street).

Ah, the memories.

I remember very well Cinderella Bootery!  Huey's Shoes in Mayo Meadow recently went out of business after 50 years due to the impending destruction of the Mayo Meadow Shopping Center.  Rumor has is that a Wal-Mart center is going in there.  Please voice your opinions and stop this travesty!!!!
We need to preserve classic mid-twentieth century shopping centers like Mayo Meadow, and not let them fall to the wrecking balls of corporate giants like Wall Mart!!  

[pmcalk]

I happened to catch the City Council meeting when that came up.  I believe it is a Walmart Neighborhood Mart going in there (I assume they want to compete with Reasors).  The City Council already approved it.  Unfortunately, like so much of Tulsa's history, Mayo Meadows is not appreciated until it is too late.

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by pmcalk

I happened to catch the City Council meeting when that came up.  I believe it is a Walmart Neighborhood Mart going in there (I assume they want to compete with Reasors).  The City Council already approved it.  Unfortunately, like so much of Tulsa's history, Mayo Meadows is not appreciated until it is too late.

You are so right.  I live in the Lortondale housing addition, just down Yale from Mayo Meadow Center at 26th St.  We are slowly losing all of mid 20th century modern architecture.  We had the foresight to preserve art deco, but we seem to be comfortable to assign 1950s modern to the wrecking ball.  SAD, very SAD.
Mid 20th Century architecture and design is the style of my youth.  I would hate to see Tulsa destroy all of this period of its history. It was such a progressive and productive period in Tulsa's history.

[TulsaTV]

Cinderella Bootery:

http://tulsatvmemories.com/toyshop.html#bootery

[Hometown]

quote:Originally posted by Steve

quote:Originally posted by pmcalk

I happened to catch the City Council meeting when that came up.  I believe it is a Walmart Neighborhood Mart going in there (I assume they want to compete with Reasors).  The City Council already approved it.  Unfortunately, like so much of Tulsa's history, Mayo Meadows is not appreciated until it is too late.

You are so right.  I live in the Lortondale housing addition, just down Yale from Mayo Meadow Center at 26th St.  We are slowly losing all of mid 20th century modern architecture.  We had the foresight to preserve art deco, but we seem to be comfortable to assign 1950s modern to the wrecking ball.  SAD, very SAD.
Mid 20th Century architecture and design is the style of my youth.  I would hate to see Tulsa destroy all of this period of its history. It was such a progressive and productive period in Tulsa's history.

I recall the clean, elegant Modernist lines of Mayo Meadows Shopping Center.  Mayo Meadows Shopping Center bears a direct architectural relationship to beautiful Lortondale, just down the street.

OPEN LETTER TO THE OWNERS OF WAL-MART

To the Ownership of Wal-Mart:

We understand that Tulsa has become the adoptive home of a number of you.  As fellow Tulsans, certainly you can understand how very important our unique heritage is to us.

There is a growing awareness and celebration of the genius of Mid-Century Modern Architecture going on throughout the United States. In Tulsa we have a handful of significant Mid-Century Modern structures.  One of them is Mayo Meadows Shopping Center, which is slated for destruction so that a new Wal-Mart can be built.

I am writing this letter to ask that you please consider restoring Mayo Meadows Shopping Center to its original condition.

A Wal-Mart sponsored and funded restoration of Mayo Meadows Shopping Center would create a huge outpouring of good will for your corporation.  A show of respect for Tulsa's architectural heritage would certainly make the ownership of Wal-Mart a valued addition to our town.

Though it may not be apparent to you now, destruction of the Mayo Meadows Shopping Center will conversely yield negatives for your corporation.

Please be good citizens of Tulsa and respect our past.

Very truly yours,
SAVE MAYO MEADOWS SHOPPING CENTER

[billintulsa]

quote:Originally posted by Hometown

quote:Originally posted by Steve

quote:Originally posted by pmcalk

I happened to catch the City Council meeting when that came up.  I believe it is a Walmart Neighborhood Mart going in there (I assume they want to compete with Reasors).  The City Council already approved it.  Unfortunately, like so much of Tulsa's history, Mayo Meadows is not appreciated until it is too late.

You are so right.  I live in the Lortondale housing addition, just down Yale from Mayo Meadow Center at 26th St.  We are slowly losing all of mid 20th century modern architecture.  We had the foresight to preserve art deco, but we seem to be comfortable to assign 1950s modern to the wrecking ball.  SAD, very SAD.
Mid 20th Century architecture and design is the style of my youth.  I would hate to see Tulsa destroy all of this period of its history. It was such a progressive and productive period in Tulsa's history.

I recall the clean, elegant Modernist lines of Mayo Meadows Shopping Center.  Mayo Meadows Shopping Center bears a direct architectural relationship to beautiful Lortondale, just down the street.

OPEN LETTER TO THE OWNERS OF WAL-MART

To the Ownership of Wal-Mart:

We understand that Tulsa has become the adoptive home of a number of you.  As fellow Tulsans, certainly you can understand how very important our unique heritage is to us.

There is a growing awareness and celebration of the genius of Mid-Century Modern Architecture going on throughout the United States. In Tulsa we have a handful of significant Mid-Century Modern structures.  One of them is Mayo Meadows Shopping Center, which is slated for destruction so that a new Wal-Mart can be built.

I am writing this letter to ask that you please consider restoring Mayo Meadows Shopping Center to its original condition.

A Wal-Mart sponsored and funded restoration of Mayo Meadows Shopping Center would create a huge outpouring of good will for your corporation.  A show of respect for Tulsa's architectural heritage would certainly make the ownership of Wal-Mart a valued addition or our town.

Though it may not be apparent to you now, destruction of the Mayo Meadows Shopping Center will conversely yield negatives for your corporation.

Please be good citizens of Tulsa and respect our past.

Very truly yours,
SAVE MAYO MEADOWS SHOPPING CENTER

[]HERE, HERE!    Right on!!!

[pmcalk]

By the way, not that it will do much good, but areas such as Lortondale--and Mayo Meadows-- are definitely areas contemplated by Historic Preservation Districts and the National Register(50 years old, unique architecture).  The recent edition of Preservation Oklahoma News talks about buildings from the recent past being endangered.  Seems people forget that all structures are recent at some point; only preserving them over time makes them historic.

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by pmcalk

By the way, not that it will do much good, but areas such as Lortondale--and Mayo Meadows-- are definitely areas contemplated by Historic Preservation Districts and the National Register(50 years old, unique architecture).  The recent edition of Preservation Oklahoma News talks about buildings from the recent past being endangered.  Seems people forget that all structures are recent at some point; only preserving them over time makes them historic.

I know that "the powers that be" are aware of the Lortondale neighborhood and have it on their agenda for inclusion in the National Historic Register.  Lortondale was started in late 1953 and the last "modern design" homes were finished in 1956, so maybe they have to wait until after 2006 for officially requesting Historic Register status.  I know the National Historic Register is just and honor, and can't prevent destruction (that is what historic zoning is for) but it may make people think twice about drastic destruction or alterations.  Lortondale's claim to fame?  1.  Large concentration of "modern," architect-designed homes.  2.  Won more that a dozen national and regional design awards in the 1950s.  3.  The very first "tract home" development in the United States where all homes featured central air conditioning as a standard amenity.  4.  Tulsa's very first neighborhood swimming pool, built by the developer (Howard Grubb) and originally owned in common by all Lortondale property owners. The pool is still in operation today at 4941 E 26th St.
In my opinion, Lortondale has more going for it historically, than some of the other neighborhoods that already have Historic Register inclusion.  It is just a matter of time.

[RexBrown]

I have suggested a link be added to the Lortondale web site on www.recentpast.org  The Recent Past Preservation Network works to preserve mid-century and newer structures. So far they haven't added it, but hopefully they will soon.

There are plenty of notable examples in Tulsa...

www.tulsanow.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=933

www.tulsanow.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=936

www.tulsanow.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1186

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by RexBrown

I have suggested a link be added to the Lortondale web site on www.recentpast.org  The Recent Past Preservation Network works to preserve mid-century and newer structures. So far they haven't added it, but hopefully they will soon.

There are plenty of notable examples in Tulsa...

www.tulsanow.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=933

www.tulsanow.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=936

www.tulsanow.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1186

Thanks Rex, for your efforts regarding Lortondale.  I am an 18-year resident of the neighborhood and a member of the neighborhood assn.  The assn. is trying to obtain Vision 2025 funds to spruce up the Lortondale Pool and the neighborhood entrances off of Yale Avenue.  Lortondale seems to be a real "hot" real estate market right now.  Lortondale has a GREAT location, right in the middle of town, and prices are still relatively cheap, when you compare sq. footage with homes for sale in other parts of Tulsa.  Houses in Lortondale in good, unmolested condition sell within a week!  Buyers seem to want "vintage" features.  Hear that real estate agents?  Don't slap white latex paint over wonderful mahogany paneling or woodwork!!!!

There are many young singles and couples that love mid-20th Century modern design buying in Lortondale and refurbishing the homes.  Great!!!

[billintulsa]

Here's another blast from the past - - - - does anybody else remember the orginal campus for ORU?  I beleive it was called the Diamond Building, and was located downtown on South Boulder.

[pmcalk]

quote:Originally posted by Steve
[br
I know that "the powers that be" are aware of the Lortondale neighborhood and have it on their agenda for inclusion in the National Historic Register.  Lortondale was started in late 1953 and the last "modern design" homes were finished in 1956, so maybe they have to wait until after 2006 for officially requesting Historic Register status.  

Just so you know, the requirement is that the structures are "generally 50 years old;"  they don't have to all be 50 years old.  In fact, I believe the National Register will consider buildings that are much younger, if they meet other criteria.