Golden Oil And Greasers: A Deep Dive Into Tulsa, Oklahoma In The 1960s

The 1960s was a critical watershed decade for Tulsa, Oklahoma. For the first half of the twentieth century, the city proudly claimed the undisputed title of "Oil Capital of the World." However, by the dawn of the 1960s, the global energy landscape was shifting dramatically. Major oil conglomerates like Sinclair, Skelly, and Getty, which had long anchored Tulsa's downtown economy and skyline, began consolidating operations or moving their headquarters. This transition forced civic leaders to aggressively diversify the local economy, steering the city away from pure fossil fuel extraction toward high-tech manufacturing, aviation, and aerospace engineering.

The massive expansion of the American Airlines Maintenance and Engineering Center at Tulsa International Airport became a cornerstone of this economic evolution. Thousands of high-skilled jobs flooded the region, drawing engineers, technicians, and their families to newly built suburbs in South and East Tulsa. Simultaneously, companies like North American Rockwell and McDonnell Douglas secured major defense and space exploration contracts, cementing Tulsa's role in the national Space Race. This influx of technical talent fostered a highly educated middle class that demanded new schools, modern infrastructure, and expanded cultural amenities.

This economic diversification created a robust housing market, fueling an unprecedented suburban sprawl. Fertile farmland in areas like Union and Jenks began transitioning into master-planned subdivisions complete with ranch-style homes, manicured lawns, and modern strip malls. The construction of the Broken Arrow Expressway (State Highway 51) during this decade facilitated this outward migration, permanently altering how Tulsans lived, worked, and commuted, while setting the stage for the modern metropolitan footprint we see today.

Social and Cultural Landscapes: The Outsiders and the Reality of Tulsa's Divide

While the suburbs flourished, Tulsa's cultural landscape was marked by deep-seated social dynamics that would eventually capture the national imagination. In 1967, a 17-year-old Tulsa native named Susan Eloise Hinton published The Outsiders under the pen name S.E. Hinton. Written while she was a student at Will Rogers High School, the novel laid bare the stark socioeconomic divide between the affluent "Socs" (Socials) from the south side of town and the working-class "Greasers" from the north side. The book’s gritty, realistic depiction of teenage angst, belonging, and class warfare was directly inspired by real-life rivalries played out on the streets of Tulsa.

Key locations featured in the novel and its subsequent movie adaptation—such as the Admiral Twin Drive-In at 7355 E Easton St and the historic Crutchfield neighborhood—were central hubs of youth culture in 1960s Tulsa. The drive-in theater, situated right off Route 66, served as a premier entertainment venue where hundreds of teenagers gathered on weekends. Meanwhile, downtown Tulsa’s diners, bowling alleys, and soda fountains became battlegrounds for identity, style, and social status during a turbulent decade of rapid cultural shifts.

Beyond the fictionalized rivalries of The Outsiders, 1960s Tulsa faced significant real-world civil rights struggles. The city’s African American population, largely concentrated in the North Tulsa neighborhoods surrounding the historic Greenwood District, fought actively against systemic redlining and segregation. While the horrific events of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre were still actively suppressed in public discourse at the time, black activists and community leaders pushed for the desegregation of public schools, restaurants, and retail spaces along downtown's Main Street, gradually dismantling institutional barriers throughout the decade.

Urban Renewal and Architecture: Designing a Modernist Skyline

Architecturally, the 1960s redefined Tulsa’s physical profile. Driven by national "Urban Renewal" trends, city planners embarked on ambitious projects to modernize the downtown core. Unfortunately, this often meant the demolition of historic brick storefronts and Victorian-era homes to make way for massive concrete parking structures, high-rise office plazas, and sprawling highways. Despite the loss of historic fabric, this era birthed some of the region's most iconic modernist and futuristic landmarks that still stand today.

Chief among these was the founding and rapid construction of Oral Roberts University (ORU) in South Tulsa. Established in 1963 by charismatic evangelist Oral Roberts, the university campus featured striking, futuristic architecture designed by Frank Wallace. Structures like the Prayer Tower, with its gold-tinted glass and starburst spire, and the Mabee Center resembled space-age installations rather than traditional collegiate buildings. This unique aesthetic reflected the forward-looking optimism of the era, boldly blending faith, technology, and modern design.

In downtown, the construction of the Tulsa Civic Center brought a centralized hub for municipal government, featuring the new City Hall and the Tulsa Assembly Center (later renamed the Cox Business Convention Center). These buildings embraced the Brutalist and Mid-Century Modern architectural styles popular at the time. To illustrate the rapid evolution of the city during this decade, the following table compares key municipal and economic indicators from the beginning to the end of the 1960s:

Pros and Cons of Tulsa’s 1960s Transformation

Evaluating the legacy of 1960s Tulsa requires a balanced look at the significant progress and the cultural losses experienced during this rapid period of modernization. On the positive side, the decade brought unprecedented economic stability. By diversifying into aerospace and manufacturing, Tulsa protected its workforce from the extreme boom-and-bust cycles that plagued other oil-dependent cities in the Southwest. The educational landscape expanded dramatically with the growth of ORU and the expansion of the University of Tulsa, turning the city into a prominent regional hub for higher education.

However, the era's rapid expansion came with notable downsides. The aggressive push for urban renewal resulted in the destruction of valuable architectural heritage in downtown Tulsa. Many historic buildings from the oil boom era of the 1920s were demolished, creating a sterile downtown environment that struggled with vacancy after business hours as workers retreated to the suburbs. Additionally, the construction of major expressways physically cut off North Tulsa from the rest of the city, exacerbating geographic and economic segregation.

Socially, while progress was made toward civil rights, the decade was marked by tension. The integration of public schools and neighborhoods was met with resistance, and the economic gap between the affluent south side and the marginalized north side widened. This dual reality of prosperity and division remains a defining characteristic of Tulsa’s historical narrative, influencing local politics and community development for generations to come.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Experience 1960s Tulsa Today

If you are a history enthusiast, a fan of The Outsiders, or a tourist looking to experience the mid-century charm of Tulsa, you can easily step back in time. Follow this carefully curated historical itinerary to immerse yourself in the sights and landmarks that defined Tulsa in the 1960s.

1. Visit The Outsiders House Museum: Located at 1616 E Line Ave, this is the actual house used as the Curtis brothers' home in Francis Ford Coppola's film adaptation of S.E. Hinton's novel. Lovingly restored by hip-hop artist Danny Boy O'Connor, the museum is filled with memorabilia, rare photos, and mid-century relics that capture the exact vibe of 1960s working-class Tulsa.
2. Catch a Double Feature at the Admiral Twin Drive-In: Located right off historic Route 66 (7355 E Easton St), this drive-in theater is still operational today. Park your car, grab some popcorn from the retro concession stand, and watch a movie under the stars on the same screens where the fictional Socs and Greasers clashed.
3. Explore the Mid-Century Architecture of Oral Roberts University: Drive down south to 7777 S Lewis Ave to marvel at the futuristic, space-age architecture of the ORU campus. Be sure to take photos of the iconic, 60-foot-tall bronze Healing Hands monument and the famous Prayer Tower, which look virtually identical to how they did when they were erected in the mid-1960s.
4. Dine at Retro Establishments: Stop by Ike's Chili (a legendary local spot that S.E. Hinton frequented) or grab a classic burger at one of Tulsa's long-standing neighborhood diners to taste the simple, comforting flavors that sustained locals during this transformational decade.

Frequently Asked Questions About 1960s Tulsa

What was the population of Tulsa in the 1960s?

Tulsa's population grew from approximately 261,685 in 1960 to over 330,000 by the end of the decade. This rapid growth was driven by suburban development, the annexation of surrounding lands, and the expansion of the aerospace and aviation industries.

How did S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders represent 1960s Tulsa?

The novel accurately reflected the socioeconomic divide between the wealthy "Socs" from South Tulsa and the working-class "Greasers" from North Tulsa. Hinton used real local dynamics, social tensions, and landmarks, such as Will Rogers High School and the Admiral Twin Drive-In, to ground her story in the reality of the era.

What major architectural changes occurred in Tulsa during the 1960s?

The 1960s saw the rise of Mid-Century Modern and futuristic architecture, most notably at Oral Roberts University. It also marked the beginning of aggressive "urban renewal" programs that demolished many historic downtown brick buildings in favor of modern office complexes, parking lots, and expressways.

Was Tulsa still the "Oil Capital of the World" in the 1960s?

While Tulsa still held the title symbolically, the 1960s marked a major transition. Corporate mergers and shifts in global energy production led the city to diversify into aerospace engineering, manufacturing, and aviation to maintain economic stability.

Discover the Living History of Green Country

Tulsa’s journey through the 1960s was a masterclass in adaptation, growth, and cultural definition. From the space-age dreams of Oral Roberts University to the gritty streets immortalized by S.E. Hinton, this decade shaped the modern identity of Oklahoma's second-largest city. Whether you are planning a weekend trip to visit historic Route 66 landmarks or researching the deep architectural and social roots of the region, the spirit of the 1960s is still alive and waiting to be explored. Plan your historic tour of Tulsa today and experience the rich heritage of Green Country firsthand!