In 1901, the first-ever oil well in Tulsa (from the Creek word, "Tallasi," meaning "Old Town") was established; the city itself had been officially incorporated in 1898. In 1905, the discovery of the fabled Glenn Pool oil field occurred --- and a boom town was born. And not just any boom town, but a petroleum-driven city-on-the-go, as Tulsa's population climbed to more than 140,000 between 1901 and 1930. On this edition of ST, we revisit the pivotal decade in this remarkable growth spurt as we discuss a new exhibit at the Tulsa Historical Society (or THS). "Tulsa in the Teens: From Boomtown to Oil Capital" will be on view at the society through February of next year; our guest is Maggie Brown, Director of Exhibits and Education at the THS. As Brown tells us, aside from all that non-stop money-making out in the oil fields, the people of Tulsa --- throughout the 1910s --- built homes, established businesses, planned and grew their city, founded churches and schools, created long-lasting if not bedrock arts organizations, and initiated a remarkably consistent tradition of both civic pride and cultural philanthropy. (You can learn more about this exhibit at the THS website.) Also on this installment of our show, Dr. John Henning Schumann of OU-Tulsa, our commentator and guest host for all things medical, offers a few thoughts and asides concerning the ongoing efforts to train today's med students in the ways of "competence."
The Tulsa Historical Society Presents "Tulsa in the Teens"
