Oil Capital Historic District

The Oil Capital Historic District is a downtown Tulsa area bounded by 3rd and 7th Streets and Cincinnati and Cheyenne Avenues. It contains approximately 72 structures that document the development of the oil industry during its peak period.

The district received recognition on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010, marking Tulsa's role as a major oil industry center in the 20th century. The buildings were constructed mainly during boom periods when oil companies demonstrated their power and wealth through architecture.

Buildings display architectural styles from Art Deco to Italianate, reflecting the artistic tastes of the oil boom era. Walking through the streets, you can see how business owners expressed their wealth and ambitions in carefully designed facades.

The district can be explored on foot since the buildings are concentrated in a compact area easy to navigate. Many structures are visible from outside, and some still function as businesses or are undergoing renovation projects you can observe while visiting.

The district contains different categories of buildings: some contribute to its historical character, while others were added later or had been listed in a federal registry previously. This mosaic of varied contributions shows how a historic district continuously evolves and changes.