Swan Lake, Tulsa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Swan Lake Historic District
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1930 Orcutt Duplex in Swan Lake
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| Location | Tulsa, OK |
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| Built | 1910 |
| Architectural style | Various |
| NRHP reference No. | 98000140 |
| Added to NRHP | February 20, 1998 |
Swan Lake is a special historic neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It's known for its beautiful old homes and buildings. This area was built in the early 1900s for families and still is a popular place to live today.
The Swan Lake area covers about 127 acres (51 hectares). It has many interesting houses and apartment buildings from the 1920s and 1930s. In 2011, the American Planning Association called Swan Lake one of the "Top Ten Great Neighborhoods" in the United States.
Contents
History of Swan Lake Neighborhood
From Ranch to Amusement Park
Long ago, in the early 1900s, a natural spring fed a watering hole called Orcutt Lake. This lake was part of a ranch owned by Colonel Adolphus D. Orcutt. He moved his family to what was then called Indian Territory in 1870. Colonel Orcutt used the land to raise cattle.
His son, Samuel Augustus "Gus" Orcutt, also became a rancher. Gus married a Creek woman named Annie Hodge in 1890. When the Creek lands were divided, the Orcutts became owners of 800 acres (324 hectares) around the lake.
In 1908, Gus Orcutt and other developers bought 25 acres (10 hectares) to build a park and an artificial lake. An amusement park was built by the lake in 1909. It was the end point for the trolley line by 1910.
Fun at Orcutt Lake Park
The amusement park had many fun things to do. There was a dance hall, a large swimming pool, and even an "airdrome" for early airplanes. Later, a roller-coaster was added.
By 1917, the Orcutt Lake Amusement Park area started to become a place where people lived. It was renamed Swan Lake. That same year, Gus Orcutt sold his development to E. J. Brennan, a businessman from Tulsa. Brennan gave the lake itself to the City of Tulsa to be a public park.
The old amusement park rides and trolley lines are now gone. They were replaced by large homes in the 1920s. But the lake is still there today! The City of Tulsa officially took over the land in the district between 1917 and 1918.
Caring for Swan Lake
In 1938, a large concrete fountain in the middle of the lake was rebuilt. This was done by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a government program.
However, the lake faced some problems. In 1948, during a dry period, the water supply was cut off. Much of the lake's water dried up or became dirty. The lake was later drained and refilled. But the pipes and drains around it were in bad shape. This caused issues like mosquitoes and rats.
These problems happened again in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1983, the city approved money to fix the area. By 1987, a big renovation costing $1 million was finished. The lake was even restocked with beautiful Trumpeter swans! Sadly, the large concrete fountain stopped working in 2000 and has not been fixed since.
What Swan Lake Looks Like Today
Architectural Styles and Homes
Swan Lake is the main feature of this historic district. The houses built around the lake from 1919 until now show many different building styles. These include Spanish, Georgian Revival, and other styles that often feature swan designs.
The rest of the neighborhood has similar types of homes. You can find bungalows, two-story houses, and buildings with four or six apartments. These are made of stone, wood, and stucco. The Swan Lake area has more two- and three-story apartment buildings and duplexes (homes for two families) from the 1920s and 1930s than any other part of Tulsa. The district also includes some shops on 15th Street.
Community and Design
The Swan Lake neighborhood was designed with smaller streets than usual. This was done to encourage people to walk more and to help neighbors connect. There are many community groups and activities throughout the year. This shows how much the people who live here care about their neighborhood.
A famous Tulsa architect named Joseph R. Koberling, Jr. built his own home in the district in 1944. This house, at 1543 South Swan Drive, is still a private home today. It is built in a French Eclectic style.
Community Activities and Features
- The Swan Lake Neighborhood Association started in 1983. In 1992, they successfully worked to get the neighborhood listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.
- Tulsa Parks and the Swan Lake Waterfowl Society work together to protect the swans and other birds living there. The Society feeds the birds, and park staff takes care of their lakeside home.
- Many neighborhood events happen each year. These include a September block party, a Halloween parade, and "Lights on Swan Lake" in November. These events help build a strong community spirit.
The 4-acre (1.6-hectare) Swan Lake Park is a great place for bird watching. It has walking paths, stone fountains, sculptures, and seasonal lighting. Two important sculptures in the park capture its spirit:
- A large bronze sculpture of a trumpeter swan flying, located at the park entrance.
- "Enchantment," a sculpture of a boy with a swan, which was moved here from the 1934 Chicago World's Fair.
Swan Lake was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 20, 1998. This means it's recognized as an important historic site.
Swan Lake: A Great American Place
The American Planning Association (APA) is a group that supports community planning. In 2011, the APA named Swan Lake one of the "Great Places in America: Neighborhoods." This award celebrates communities that have a strong sense of place, interesting history, active community involvement, and a clear vision for the future. It's a big honor for Swan Lake to be recognized for its excellent character and planning by this national organization.
Marquette School in the District
Marquette School is the parish school for Christ the King Catholic Church. It is located at 1519 South Quincy Avenue. This school is considered an important part of the Swan Lake Historic District.
Nearby Shopping and Medical Facilities
While there are some shops along 15th Street and Peoria Avenue (which border the district), the largest shopping area nearby is Utica Square. This is located at 21st Street and Utica Avenue. The St. John's medical complex is also close by, just across Utica Street to the east of the district.
