The Memorial Museum, located in Oklahoma City, is a destination every Oklahoman should visit – and it is worth the 90-minute trip from Tulsa to get there and learn about how Oklahomans are supportive, united, and persistent. It teaches us how we can give new significance to the tragedies that occur in our lives, and how being surrounded by selfless people can help us overcome various challenging events. The…
Tourism is a budding industry in Tulsa. After being officially named the Capital of Route 66 on July 1, 2024, an influx of both national and international tourists has been seeking to experience what Tulsa has to offer. In an interview with the Visitors Center’s Kenny Smith and Jonathan Huskey, TCC Connection explores the dynamics…
Located at 3770 Southwest Blvd., a series of life-sized historical monuments offers a memorable and immersive experience. What started as a simple idea, backed by the collective efforts of the Southwest Tulsa Chamber of Commerce, has become a renowned attraction to both national and international tourists. The Route 66 Historical Village, as we now know it, presents…
Nestled near Miami’s Main Street, Otter Cove, 232 S. Main St., is a restaurant that carries layers of history. The building was originally a Texaco Gas Service Station. It was operated by the late Earl Sandmire, who began operating the Texas Oil Co. station in 1928. Sandmire ran the station for 40 years. About two…
Kazakhstan, a republic of the former Soviet Union, became a cradle of world cosmonautics in the 1960s. Cosmodrome “Baikonur,” a Soviet spaceport, opened there in 1955. All Soviet space missions of the 1960s -1980s had a beginning at “Baikonur.” Yuri Gagarin, the first male-astronaut in the world, completed his legendary flight into outer space on…
Each year, residents of many small towns and cities around the state look forward to their Founder’s Day celebrations, and the residents of Skiatook, Okla., are no exception. Every September brings with it the annual Pioneer Day Carnival, Parade, and Rodeo, commemorating the “pioneer origins” of the town, just 20 minutes north of Tulsa. The…
A Tulsa entrepreneur, Mary Beth Babcock, opened three stores on well-known Route 66 in Tulsa, Okla., as a homage to the famed highway. These are Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on 66 (1347 E. 11th St.), Meadow Gold Mack’s Outpost (1306 E. 11th St., Unit A), and Buck’s Vintage on 66 (1024 S. Quincy Ave.) located…
Did you know that Tulsa Community College offers study abroad trips? Every year for several decades now, TCC’s Study Abroad Program offers students life-changing opportunities and educational experiences to travel internationally and broaden their horizons. While traditional semester-long exchange programs are popular, shorter trips spanning around eight to 14 days are proven to be impactful….
The University of Tulsa recently sponsored an exhibit “Lost Dream of Route 66” by Edward Keating. The photographs were of the early and famed Route 66 from 1977 to 2003. The photo display shown was not only a piece of the history of Route 66, but it was also a part of Edward Keating’s life…
In the rural, unassuming town of Pawnee, Okla., a piece of history is presented to visitors. Pawnee Bill Ranch symbolizes the pioneering spirit of the late 1800s and early 1900s. The ranch is a preserved and revered part of Oklahoma’s past. Gordon Lillie, who later took on the moniker Pawnee Bill while living and working with…
