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research computer at Central Library

Welcome to Tulsa!

This collection of Tulsa-based community resources is designed to give Tulsa residents and visitors access to helpful information and support.

 

Content
Getting Around in Tulsa

Tulsa Layout

View Tulsa, OK in a larger map

Visitors' Information

The Tulsa Regional Chamber's VisitTulsa offers maps, brochures, and a wealth of information about the area.

1 W. Third St., Suite 100
Tulsa, OK 74103
(918) 585-1201

Street numbering and naming

Most of central Tulsa follows a simple pattern of street naming, though within housing developments many variations occur.  

East-west streets are numbered, with Admiral Blvd as the dividing line.  The first street south of Admiral is First Street, the second is Second, and so on, with Places and Courts to fill in gaps.  The streets north of Admiral are named alphabetically, starting with Archer, Brady, and Cameron, and ending with Zion and Apache, then 26th St North.  Major streets occur about every mile: Pine, Apache, 36th St N, 46th St N, etc., on the north and 11th St, 21st St, etc to the south.  North-south streets are alphabetical, with Main as the central dividing line.  Streets east of Main are named for U.S. cities east of the Mississippi, streets west of Main for U.S. cities west of the Mississippi.  East of Garnett and west of Union streets are numerical, e.g.,  129th E. Ave or 33rd W. Ave. Major streets occur about every mile but do not follow the alphabetical order: Peoria, Lewis, Harvard, Yale, Sheridan, Memorial, Mingo, Garnett to the east and Union, 33rd W. Ave, 49th W. Ave to the west.

Street signs include the block's numerical value east or west of Main or North or South of Admiral.  Odd-numbered addresses are on the north or east side of the street, even-numbered on the south or west side.

tulsa map
Credit: the Beryl Ford Collection/Rotary Club of Tulsa, Tulsa City-County Library and Tulsa Historical Society.

Towns and districts

Several towns are incorporated in Tulsa County:

Bixby, in the far south.

Broken Arrow, in the southeast.

Catoosa, in the northeast.

Collinsville, in the far north.

Glenpool, in the far south.

Jenks, in the south.

Owasso, in the north east.

Sand Springs, in the west.

Sapulpa, in the southwest.

A few entertainment, shopping and dining hotspots are named districts, though locals may use the names loosely: Cherry Street, around 15th and Peoria, Brookside, Peoria from 36th to 46th, Pearl District, 6th and Peoria, Blue Dome, 2nd and Elgin, Brady Arts District, north side of downtown, Greenwood, Greenwood north of Archer. 

Additionally, former towns now incorporated in Tulsa are sometimes referred to by their historical names, such as Turley, on North Peoria, Red Fork, in the west, and Kendall-Whittierand White City, in midtown. Many residential neighborhoods are also named and the City maintains a list of Neighborhood Associations.

Expressways and highways

Several highways and expressways connect parts of town: the Broken Arrow Expressway, also known as highway 51 or 64, crosses from Sand Springs in the northwest to Broken Arrow in the southeast.  The Skelly Bypass, or Highway 44, stretches from Catoosa in the northeast to become the Turner Turnpike in the southwest.  The Crosstown Expressway, 244, loosely follows Admiral and Charles Page Blvd east-west and the Mingo Valley Expressway, 169, runs north-south between Mingo and Garnett from Owasso to Broken Arrow.

Closures and Detours

The City of Tulsa maintains a map of major street closures, for events, maintenance, and emergencies, and the Oklahoma Dept. of Transportation does the same for highways.

Public Transportation

Tulsa Transit Service Map

Tulsa Transit system map as of September 2019

Source: Tulsa Transit http://tulsatransit.org/maps-schedules/

Tulsa Transit

Tulsa Transit 

918-582-2100

Office: 510 S Rockford, Tulsa OK 74120

Denver Ave Station: 319 S Denver Ave

Memorial Midtown Station: 7952 E 33rd St.

Monday, September 23, most Tulsa Transit Routes will change and buses will stop at marked stops only.

Tulsa Transit is the primary provider of public transportation in the Tulsa area, operating buses seven days a week with limited Saturday, Sunday and night schedules.  Lift program is available for paratransit customers, reduced fares are offered for seniors, youths and persons with disabilities.  All buses are wheelchair accessible and are fitted with bike racks. 

Normal fares are 1.75 per ride, with free transfers, good for two hours, available upon request.  Drivers do not make change but can issue change cards redeemable on other bus trips.  Fare cards are sold at both stations as well as Quiktrip locations.  Paper schedules are available at select public libraries for $0.25, both stations for $0.50, or downloadable from Tulsa Transit's website. Real-time tracking is available by text or through the Spot app.

Catching a bus: Starting September 23, 2019 only stops marked “Tulsa Transit Bus Stop” will be used to enter or exit the bus. Drivers will not stop between the marked stops

The Trolley

T-Town Trolley is a private company that rents a historic trolley for special events but also offers free weekend night-time service around downtown.

Fridays and Saturdays, 5.30-1.30, the Trolley makes loops from the BOK Center to Guthrie Green every thirty minutes.

trolley hat
Credit: the Beryl Ford Collection/Rotary Club of Tulsa, Tulsa City-County Library and Tulsa Historical Society.

Car Help

Car Care Clinics and Ministries

Car Care Clinic volunteers provide minor car repairs and automotive check ups for the needy (seniors, widows, and low income families) from several agencies and churches. Most have limited hours, income guidelines, require appointments, and ask that clients provide any parts.

Boston Avenue United Methodist Church, 1301 S Boston, 918-814-3882.

Cornerstone Assistance Network, 1120 N Peoria, 918-583-3670.

The Ministry Center, 312 S 33rd W Ave, 918-585-5310.

Red Fork Baptist Church 2821 W 40th St, 918-446-4445.

Southern Hills Baptist Church 5590 S Lewis, 918-743-9987.

Tulsa Dream Center, 200 W 46St N, 918-430-9984.

Victory Christian Center, 7700 S Lewis, 918-491-7700

Library Resources for Auto Repair

The library mainatins a large collection of auto repair guides, both circulating and in our Research Center.  Additionally we offer access, from the Central location, to three databases: Mitchell's,  and AutoRepair Reference Center.  Ask a librarian for details.
 

Promotional Map of Tulsa
Credit: the Beryl Ford Collection/Rotary Club of Tulsa, Tulsa City-County Library and Tulsa Historical Society.

 

Walking & Cycling

Bicycle Help

Organizations offering information and support for cyclists include:

BIKE CLUB is a program in over half of Tulsa Public Schools elementaries.  Volunteers meet with kids weekly after school to teach bicycle safety and skills and share the joy of bicycle riding in their neighborhoods.

Black Girls Do Bike Tulsa is Tulsa’s chapter of this national organization interested in growing and supporting a community of women of color who share a passion for cycling.  The group champions efforts to introduce the joy of cycling to all women, but especially, women and girls of color.

Girls Gone Pedalin' is a group of ladies of all ages and abilities who ride road bikes.  Beginners are welcome.  They ride 15-20 miles at a time on River Parks Trails meeting Monday evenings, spring to fall, at 5:30 pm at T-Town Bicycles, 44th and Peoria.

Oklahoma Flyers is a junior cycling program providing structure, equipment, and leadership for young cyclists.

Tulsa Bicycle Club sponsors a year-round program of rides and events.  Weekly rides vary in length from 10 to 40 miles, and in difficulty from leisurely to more strenuous.  All rides are open to members and non-members alike.  The club also hosts the Tour de Tulsa annual on the first Saturday in May.  Tour de Tulsa is an event ride with rides to suite all fitness levels from families with small children to seasoned cyclists.

Tulsa GO Plan is a Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan for 11 cities in the Tulsa metro area.  Developed over 18 months in 2014-2015, the plan provides a comprehensive regional plan for pedestrian and bicycle improvements; provides connectivity to the existing regional trail network using on-street treatments; improves pedestrian and bicycle safety; provides a more strategic approach to competing for pedestrian and bicycle funding; and identifies barriers, with solutions, for residents to safely access destinations using walking or bicycling modes within the Tulsa region.

Tulsa Tough Divas is a group of women who love cycling and socializing.  From first time riders to seasoned veterans, they promote and support cycling (road and off-road) for women of all ages, experience and abilities.

Tulsa Walking Club is a part of the national walking organization AVA: America's Walking Club.  It is a non-competitive sports organization committed to fun, fitness, and friendship.

Tulsa Wheelmen is a group of avid bicycle racers and riders.  They offer courses on how to ride a bike on city streets, for ages 14 and older.  Course participants receive a bicycle, helmet, gloves, rain jackets, cycling glasses, rearview mirrors, bike lock, and more.

Walk Bike Tulsa is a tool for defining safe practices when navigating our city streets.  This City of Tulsa website provides access to a host of biking and walking related resources.

Cycle Aid Stations at Guthrie Green, Turkey Mountain, and 41st and Riverside provide tools and a tire pump sponsored by Bicycles of Tulsa.

 

Bicycle Rental and Lending

 

This Machine Tulsa provides a high quality, convenient and affordable bicycle transit system connecting people to the places they live, work, and play.

Some workplaces and campuses, such as Community Care and the University of Tulsa, offer bicycle borrowing to students and staff.

Trails

918 Trails is a program of INCOG, supporting transportation alternatives such as carpooling, bicycle commuting, and public transit.  Their website includes a comprehensive map of biking and walking trails, as well as carpool matching, bike route planning, and integrated commuting information

Special Needs & Other Options

Medical Transportation

Many clinics, community centers, and churches offer transportation assistance to appointments and services for the elderly and disabled.  Additionally, the following agencies and organizations offer specialized services for patients in need.

Ability Resources Inc 823 S Detroit, Ste 100, 918-592-1235. Vouchers for Lift use provided to qualifying senior citizens over 60 who already use Tulsa Transit's Lift program.

American Cancer Society, 41100 S 100 E Ave, Ste 101, 918-743-6767.  Road to Recovery programs provides volunteer drivers, gas reimbursement, and air transport for cancer patients to treatment.

Angel Flight 1515 E 71st St Ste 312, 918-749-8992 angel@angelflight.com. Arranges free air transportation by private pilots for needy patients and health care organizations by volunteers. 

Handicapped Vehicle Services Unlimited/Mahan Rent-A-Car and Van, 7215 E 46th St, 918-622-8400/627-7311. Sells and rents handicapped-accessible vehicles.

Parkside Psychiatric Hospital andClinic, 1620 E 12th St, 918-588-8888  By Your Side Program assists patients with daily needs including transportation.

SoonerRide  877-404-4500. Non-emergency transportation for Medicaid clients going to services that are covered by Medicaid. Call to arrange for transportation three-days in advance of appointment. See link for specific information.

Tulsa CARES 3712 E 11th St, 918-834-4194.  Provides transportation to and from appointments for AIDS patients.

Veterans Benefits Administration, 125 S Main St, Muskogee, 918-577-3500.  Piloting st the Muskogee, Vinita, and Hartshorne locations. 

Car-sharing

Turo Nationwide carsharing system. People in the area post cars they are willing to rent out, at prices they set, with hourly and daily options.

Uber Rides and Lyft offer app-based ridesharing; drivers can earn money driving and those in need of a ride pay rates similar to taxis.

Drinking and Not Driving

A number of businesses and organizations offer services to prevent the alcohol-impaired from driving, especially during the holidays.

Missy's Keys4Cabs 918-928-7708. Partnership with several area restaurants and bars offering free taxi vouchers for patrons who are too impaired to drive. See website for participating venues.

Storey on Safety (SOS) 10 N Elwood, 918-585-5571.  Offers free towing.

Tipsy Tow (AAA) 2121 E 15th St, 918-748-1000. 1-800-222-4357.  A community service project operates through several holidays (Christmas, New Year's, St. Patricks Day, 4th of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving) in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Muskogee, Ardmore, Enid, Shawnee and Lawton. AAA provides a free tow and free ride home, with or without AAA membership, no questions asked, within 15 miles of the point of pickup for the vehicle and up to two people.

House, Building & Neighborhood Histories in Tulsa

Getting Started

Preliminary Information

Start your research by finding the property's legal description and the building's construction date.Look at the property tax statement or the Tulsa County Assessor's website for a property's legal description and a building's date of construction. The legal description is found in the quick facts and general information sections.  A legal description shows the exact location of a property and includes township, range, and section. The date of construction is found in the improvements section.  Note that the date of construction on the Assessor's website is a good place to start but is not always accurate.

BOOKS ON THE RESEARCH PROCESS

Neighborhoods

MAPS AND ATLASES

  • Atlas of Tulsa, Oklahoma (1987)

    Available in the Oklahoma Room on the 3rd floor of Central Library

  • Atlas of Tulsa, Oklahoma (1970)

    Available in the Oklahoma Room on the 3rd floor of Central Library

  • Atlas of Tulsa, Oklahoma (1937)

    Available in the Oklahoma Room on the 3rd floor of Central Library

  • Cherokee Nation Township Plat Maps

    236 Cherokee Nation township plat maps that include townships 9 north through 29 north have been digitized by the Oklahoma Historical Society. An interesting characteristic of these maps is the meticulous detail with which the ownership of allotments is shown. Each map contains the names, statuses, and allotment numbers of the individual owners. The maps were probably printed after statehood in 1907, by the Indian Territory Map Company in Muskogee, but the information comes from the Dawes Commission which began its work in 1893. Search the archives catalog using the phrase "MAP OF CHEROKEE NATION TOWNSHIP."

  • Hastain's Township Plats of the Creek Nation (1910)

    Hastain's Township Plats of the Creek Nation was published by E. Hastain in Muskogee, Oklahoma in 1910. This publication shows the location of allotments given to members of the Creek Nation. It lists the names of allottees, their roll number, and if the allotment was the location of the homestead. Many individuals received allotments in more than one location.

  • Digital Map Collection

    Digital images include historical Oklahoma and Tulsa maps representing a fraction of the map collection available in the Research Center on the 3rd floor of Central Library. For more information on the physical map collection, see print map collection link below. 

    Tulsa Enumeration District Maps 1910,1920,1930,1940 are available online. 
    When the Bureau of the Census assigned areas for census takers to visit, it divided counties, cities, towns, villages, Indian reservations, and even hospitals and jails into enumeration districts (ED). Each county was assigned a number, and each ED within it was then numbered consecutively. When the census schedule sheets were compiled, they were arranged by state, county, city or township, and thereunder by ED number. You can gather information about areas outside the city with these maps. 

    Tulsa aerial photographs from the 50s and 60s are available online. They are described by township, range, and section.

  • Print Map Collection

    This guide provides a broader view of the large map collection in the Research Center on the 3rd floor of Central Library and includes other historical Tulsa maps. Some of the maps have been digitized. See digitized map collection above. 

NEIGHBORHOOD HISTORIES

From the Urban Development Department and Tulsa Preservation Commission, these booklets provide a brief history of the neighborhood and information on individual homes.

ARCHITECTURAL SURVEYS

DOCUMENTS: NATIONAL REGISTER TULSA COUNTY NEIGHBORHOOD/DISTRICT

TULSA COUNTY CLERK

The Tulsa County Clerk is the recorder and custodian of land records and other real estate documents in the county. 

Land records are freely accessible in the Tulsa County Clerk's office. In the office, there are public access computers. On the public access computer desktops, there are links to the County Clerk Track Index folder, the Tulsa, OK Recorder database, and the Digital Reel database. The County Clerk Track Index folder is organized by subdivision. Here, you will find information on when a subdivision was platted and book and page and document numbers that you can use to find records in the other two databases. In the Tulsa, OK Recorder database, you can find content dating back to 1928. You can use the property's legal description to find post 1987 records. You can use book and page numbers to find pre 1987 records. Use the Digital Reel database for pre 1928 records.

You can print from the public access computers for $1.00 per page. 

The Tulsa County Clerk has placed the Historical Unplatted Tract Index, the Historical Platted Tract Index, and Tulsa County Plats online. 

Tulsa County Clerk  |  Tulsa County Administration Building, Room 120  |  500 S. Denver  |  Tulsa, OK 74103-3832  |  County Clerk Switchboard: (918) 596-5801  |  Fax: (918) 596-5819  |  Office hours:  8:30--5:00 Monday--Friday (excluding holidays)  

VERTICAL FILES

One of the unique resources in the Research Center's OK Room is the extensive vertical file collection. Vertical files contain newspaper and magazine articles, brochures, reports, and ephemera for businesses, organizations, homes, buildings, events, and people in the area.

Newspaper articles, covering topics of local and regional interest, were selectively chosen from Tulsa’s major metropolitan dailies of the twentieth century and deposited in subject-based vertical files. This is the only major index in Tulsa for the Tulsa Tribune and for the Tulsa World before 1989. For more information on newspaper and periodical articles, please see our Local History in the Research Center guide.

Vertical file titles can be searched in the online catalog. To limit your search to the vertical files in the new catalog, use advanced search. In the "use the form below to construct your query" section, use your keyword and the terms "vertical file." To limit your search to the vertical files in the old (legacy) catalog, use the advanced search. Enter your keyword in the "anywhere" field, and choose "vertical file" from the "material type" drop-down box.

Vertical file titles that might help with your neighborhood research include:

Neighborhoods

Parks

Schools

Churches

LOCAL PUBLICATIONS INDEX

The Local Publications Index provides a searchable online index to older Tulsa area publications housed at the Central Library. These publications include: The American Indian, Gusher, Magazine Tulsa, Tulsa Home & Garden, and Tulsa School Review. The documents in the index are not available online. You may access them by visiting the Research Center at Central Library, emailing us at askus@tulsalibrary.org, or calling 918-549-7323.

Depending on the neighborhood, you may find articles in local publications. 

BOOKSHELF

OTHER RESOURCES

Land

MAPS AND ATLASES

  • Atlas of Tulsa, Oklahoma (1987)

    Available in the Oklahoma Room on the 3rd floor of Central Library

  • Atlas of Tulsa, Oklahoma (1970)

    Available in the Oklahoma Room on the 3rd floor of Central Library

  • Atlas of Tulsa, Oklahoma (1937)

    Available in the Oklahoma Room on the 3rd floor of Central Library

  • Cherokee Nation Township Plat Maps

    236 Cherokee Nation township plat maps that include townships 9 north through 29 north have been digitized by the Oklahoma Historical Society. An interesting characteristic of these maps is the meticulous detail with which the ownership of allotments is shown. Each map contains the names, statuses, and allotment numbers of the individual owners. The maps were probably printed after statehood in 1907, by the Indian Territory Map Company in Muskogee, but the information comes from the Dawes Commission which began its work in 1893. Search the archives catalog using the phrase "MAP OF CHEROKEE NATION TOWNSHIP."

  • Hastain's Township Plats of the Creek Nation (1910)

    Hastain's Township Plats of the Creek Nation was published by E. Hastain in Muskogee, Oklahoma in 1910. This publication shows the location of allotments given to members of the Creek Nation. It lists the names of allottees, their roll number, and if the allotment was the location of the homestead. Many individuals received allotments in more than one location.

  • Digital Map Collection

    A fraction of the print map collection available in the Research Center on the 3rd floor of Central Library is available online. For more information on the physical map collection, see print map collection link below. 

    Tulsa Enumeration District Maps 1910,1920,1930,1940 are available online. 
    When the Bureau of the Census assigned areas for census takers to visit, it divided counties, cities, towns, villages, Indian reservations, and even hospitals and jails into enumeration districts (ED). Each county was assigned a number, and each ED within it was then numbered consecutively. When the census schedule sheets were compiled, they were arranged by state, county, city or township, and thereunder by ED number. You can gather information about land areas within the city and outside the city with these maps. 

    Tulsa aerial photographs from the 50s and 60s are available online. They are described by township, range, and section.

  • Print Map Collection

    This guide provides a broader view of the large map collection in the Research Center on the 3rd floor of Central Library and includes other historical Tulsa maps. Some of the maps have been digitized. See digitized map collection above. 

ABSTRACTS

An abstract is a compilation of all instruments of record in the County Clerk's and Court Clerk's offices which materially affect a specific tract of land. Basically, it is all the legal records about a tract of land. Note that the abstract is specific to the land and not the building. 

The abstract of a property may be in the possession of the home owner or an abstract and title company. Abstract and title companies will allow you to examine an abstract in their office. A list of Tulsa abstract and title companies is located below. You will need the property's legal description when you call the companies to find the location of your property's abstract. Please see the getting started tab for more information on a property's legal description. 

TULSA VIEW

Tulsa View is a mapping software product provided by the Tulsa County Assessor's Office.  It graphically displays land plots based on the annual tax assessor's rolls.  This program is available at the Central Library Research Center on PCs RS017C and RS029C.

You can use Tulsa View to find:

  • Property dimensions
  • Property owners
  • Zoning codes
  • Subdivision boundaries
  • Unplatted land
  • Physical descriptions and characteristics

TULSA COUNTY ASSESSOR

The Tulsa County Assessor is responsible for placing a fair market value on property. Oklahoma property taxes are "ad valorem," a Latin term meaning "as to value."

You will find property information on the Assessor's website. There are a number of ways to search for your property including: owner name, property address, subdivision, account number, parcel number, and map. 

Tulsa County Assessor  |  Tulsa County Administration Building, Room 215  |  500 S. Denver  |  Tulsa, OK 74103 Phone: (918) 596-5100  |  Fax: (918) 596-4799  |  Email: assessor@tulsacounty.org Office hours: 8:00–5:00 Monday–Friday (excluding holidays)  

TULSA COUNTY CLERK

The Tulsa County Clerk is the recorder and custodian of land records and other real estate documents in the county. 

Land records are freely accessible in the Tulsa County Clerk's office. In the office, there are public access computers. On the public access computer desktops, there are links to the County Clerk Track Index folder, the Tulsa, OK Recorder database, and the Digital Reel database. The County Clerk Track Index folder is organized by subdivision. Here, you will find information on when a subdivision was platted and book and page and document numbers that you can use to find records in the other two databases. In the Tulsa, OK Recorder database, you can find content dating back to 1928. You can use the property's legal description to find post 1987 records. You can use book and page numbers to find pre 1987 records. Use the Digital Reel database for pre 1928 records.

You can print from the public access computers for $1.00 per page. 

The Tulsa County Clerk has placed the Historical Unplatted Tract Index, the Historical Platted Tract Index, and Tulsa County Plats online. 

Tulsa County Clerk  |  Tulsa County Administration Building, Room 120  |  500 S. Denver  |  Tulsa, OK 74103-3832  |  County Clerk Switchboard: (918) 596-5801  |  Fax: (918) 596-5819  |  Office hours:  8:30--5:00 Monday--Friday (excluding holidays)  

Buildings

MAPS

buildings map

  • Sanborn Maps

    These maps were created to assist fire insurance companies as they assessed the risk associated with insuring a particular property.

  • Digital Map Collection

    Digital images include historical Oklahoma and Tulsa maps representing a fraction of the map collection available in the Research Center of Central Library. For more information on the physical map collection, see print map collection link below. 

    Tulsa aerial photographs from the 50s and 60s are included in this digital collection. They are described by township, range, and section. See the getting started tab for help finding your property's legal description including township, range, and section.

BOOKSHELF

LOCAL PUBLICATIONS INDEX

The Local Publications Index provides a searchable online index to older Tulsa area publications housed at the Central Library. These publications include: The American Indian, Gusher, Magazine Tulsa, Tulsa Home & Garden, and Tulsa School Review. The documents in the index are not available online. You may access them by visiting the Research Center at Central Library, emailing us at askus@tulsalibrary.org, or calling 918-549-7323.

Depending on the building, you may find articles in the local publications. 

OLDER TULSA BUILDING CODES

This guide contains a list of current and historic building codes adopted by the City of Tulsa. Title 51 of the City of Tulsa Ordinances outlines all current adopted building codes and building specifications for the City of Tulsa.

For any codes not in the collections of the Tulsa City-County Library or for additional information, contact the Tulsa City Clerk ((918) 596-7515) or the Building Permits Department ((918) 596-9456) for additional information.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Photographs of the building may be found in the Digital Collections. Search by building name, address, street name(s), intersections, neighborhood, and/or city. 

UNIDENTIFIED HOMES ON FLICKR

The Tulsa City-County Library would like your help indentifying the unknown people and places in our digital collections. Visit the library's special collections on Flickr and look for the unknown sets.

DOCUMENTS: NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES IN TULSA COUNTY

AVAILABLE ONLINE FROM THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

  • 66 Motel
  • Ambassador Hotel
  • Atlas Life Building
  • B.W. McLean House & Office
  • Belmont Apartments
  • Boston Avenue Methodist Church
  • Boulder-on-the-Park
  • Brady Heights Historic District
  • Broken Arrow Elementary/Junior High School
  • Buena Vista Historic District
  • Cain's Dancing Academy / Cain's Ballroom
  • Carl K. Dresser House
  • Carlton Place Historic District
  • Casa Loma Hotel
  • Cheairs Furniture Company Building (new in 2018; not available online yet)
  • Church Studio
  • Circle Theatre
  • Cities Service Station #8
  • City Veterinary Hospital
  • Clinton-Hardy House
  • Cosden Building
  • Creek Council Tree Site
  • Dawson School
  • Eleventh Street Arkansas River Bridge
  • Elizabeth Manor
  • First National Bank
  • Foster B. Parriot House
  • Fort Arbuckle Site 
  • Fox Hotel
  • Gillette Historic District
  • Gillette-Tyrell Building
  • Harwelden
  • Haskell State School of Agriculture
  • Holy Family Cathedral Rectory & School
  • Hooper Brothers Coffee Company Building
  • James Alexander Veasey House
  • James H. McBirney House
  • Katy Railroad Historic District
  • Maple Ridge Historic Residential District
  • Mayo Building
  • Mayo Hotel
  • Mayo Motor Inn
  • McFarlin Building
  • McGregor House
  • Mincks-Adams Hotel
  • Moore Manor
  • Morrow Home Place
  • Mount Zion Baptist Church
  • North Cheyenne Avenue Historic District
  • Oil Capital Historic District
  • Oklahoma Iron Works/Bethlehem Supply Company Building
  • Oklahoma Natural Gas Company Building
  • Owen Park Historic District
  • Page Memorial Library
  • Petroleum Building
  • Philcade Building
  • Phillips 66 Station #473
  • Philtower
  • Pierce Block
  • Public Service of Oklahoma Building
  • Ranch Acres Historic District
  • Riverside Historic Residential District
  • Riverside Studio (Bruce Goff Designed)
  • Riverview Historic District
  • Robert Lawton Jones House
  • Robert M. McFarlin House
  • Sally Ann Apartments
  • Sand Springs Power Plant
  • Sinclair Service Station
  • Sophian Plaza
  • Southwestern Bell Main Dial Building
  • St. John Vianney Training School for Girls
  • Stonebraker Heights Historic District
  • Swan Lake Historic District
  • Tracey Park Historic District
  • Tribune Building
  • Tulsa Civic Center Historic Center
  • Tulsa Convention Hall (Tulsa Municipal Theater)
  • Tulsa Fire Alarm Building
  • Tulsa Monument Company
  • Tulsa Municipal Building
  • United States Post Office & Courthouse
  • Vickery Phillips 66 Station
  • Waite Phillips Mansion (Philbrook Art Center)
  • Westhope
  • White City Historic District
  • Whittier Square Historic District
  • Will Rogers High School
  • William G. Skelly House
  • Woodward Park and Gardens Historic District
  • Yorktown Historic District

OTHER RESOURCES

VERTICAL FILES

One of the unique resources in the Research Center's OK Room is the extensive vertical file collection. Vertical files contain newspaper and magazine articles, brochures, reports, and ephemera for businesses, organizations, homes, buildings, events, and people in the area.

Newspaper articles, covering topics of local and regional interest, were selectively chosen from Tulsa’s major metropolitan dailies of the twentieth century and deposited in subject-based vertical files. This is the only major index in Tulsa for the Tulsa Tribune and for the Tulsa World before 1989. For more information on newspaper and periodical articles, please see our Local History in the Research Center guide.

Vertical file titles can be searched in the online catalog. To limit your search to the vertical files in the new catalog, use advanced search. In the "use the form below to construct your query" section, use your keyword and the terms "vertical file." To limit your search to the vertical files in the old (legacy) catalog, use the advanced search. Enter your keyword in the "anywhere" field, and choose "vertical file" from the "material type" drop-down box.

Vertical file titles that might help with your building research include:

Architecture – Homes 

Homes - architect awards

Architects

Buildings

Neighborhoods

 

People

PRINT DIRECTORIES COLLECTION

The following directories are housed in the Research Center of Central Library:

City Directories 1909-present (with these exceptions: 1945, 1949, 1952, 1962, and 1998)

City directories are a great resource for finding people. Entries often include occupation and adult children living in a household.  Beginning in 1912, the directories may be searched in a reverse manner as the streets are listed alphabetically. This collection is available in both print and microfilm formats. 

Telephone Directories 1931-present

The telephone directories include both residential and business listings and cover a greater geographic area than the city directories.

Cross Reference Directories 1944-present

Cross reference directories in the collection are organized by telephone number and by street address. 

DEATH NOTICES, OBITUARIES, AND OTHER ARTICLES IN TULSA NEWSPAPERS

Use this guide to find death notices, obituaries and other articles in Tulsa newspapers. 

YEARBOOKS

Use this guide to find a list of the schools and yearbook titles in our collection. Click on the school to determine our holdings.

MAPS

  • Cherokee Nation Township Plat Maps

    236 Cherokee Nation township plat maps that include townships 9 north through 29 north have been digitized by the Oklahoma Historical Society. An interesting characteristic of these maps is the meticulous detail with which the ownership of allotments is shown. Each map contains the names, statuses, and allotment numbers of the individual owners. The maps were probably printed after statehood in 1907, by the Indian Territory Map Company in Muskogee, but the information comes from the Dawes Commission which began its work in 1893. Search the archives catalog using the phrase "MAP OF CHEROKEE NATION TOWNSHIP."

  • Hastain's Township Plats of the Creek Nation (1910)

    Hastain's Township Plats of the Creek Nation was published by E. Hastain in Muskogee, Oklahoma in 1910. This publication shows the location of allotments given to members of the Creek Nation. It lists the names of allottees, their roll number, and if the allotment was the location of the homestead. Many individuals received allotments in more than one location.

  • Tulsa Enumeration District Maps 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940

    When the Bureau of the Census assigned areas for census takers to visit when collecting information from residents, it divided counties, cities, towns, villages, Indian reservations, and even hospitals and jails into enumeration districts (ED). Each county was assigned a number, and each ED within it was then numbered consecutively. When the census schedule sheets were compiled, they were arranged by state, county, city or township, and thereunder by ED number. These can be helpful when you have trouble finding households and individuals in the census records.

CITY DIRECTORIES AVAILABLE ONLINE

  • Ancestry Library Edition

    The 1909-1935 Tulsa City Directories are available in the Ancestry Library Edition database. If you don't have your own subscription to Ancestry.com, Ancestry Library Edition is accessible at any library location.

  • City Directory Digital Collection

    The 1910, 1920, 1921, and 1922 Tulsa City Directories have been digitized and are accessible from outside of the library.

ANCESTRY LIBRARY EDITION

  • Ancestry Library Edition

    Search census, military, land, immigration, vital records, and family trees. Available at any library location.

LOCAL PUBLICATIONS INDEX

The Local Publications Index provides a searchable online index to older Tulsa area publications housed at the Central Library. These publications include: The American Indian, Gusher, Magazine Tulsa, Tulsa Home & Garden, and Tulsa School Review. The documents in the index are not available online. You may access them by visiting the Research Center at Central Library, emailing us at askus@tulsalibrary.org, or calling 918-549-7323.

Depending on the person, you may find articles in the local publications.

BIOGRAPHY INDEX

Compiled biographies, sometimes called biographical encyclopedias or dictionaries, contain biographical sketches that have been collected and published. These are generally collected according to a particular theme, such as a prominent individuals in a particular country, state, or county.

This collection consists of the indexes to complied biographies in Local History Collection books and indexes to some articles found in the Local History Collection biography vertical files. The full text of these items is not available online. To view these items, you need to visit the Research Center at Central Library, contact rcaskus@tulsalibrary.org, or call 918-549-7323.

Depending on the person, you may find entries in the biograpy index.

RECORDS

  • Oklahoma State Department of Health

    Oklahoma began filing birth and death records in October of 1908. It was not mandatory, however, that these records be filed until 1917. Because birth and death records were not required in years past as they are today for identification, the filing process in many years prior to 1940 are sketchy.

  • OK2EXPLORE

    OK2Explore is a free searchable public index of births and deaths that occurred in the state of Oklahoma. It includes information from records of births occurring in Oklahoma 20 or more years ago and records of deaths occurring in Oklahoma 5 or more years ago. You can search by type of event (birth or death), date, county, name and sex. The database includes information to help you identify whether a record is on file without paying a search fee. The index will indicate whether or not a record exists, but you cannot view the actual birth or death certificate online. If you would like to order a copy of a record, the eligibility rules will apply for non-open records.

  • Marriage Books of Tulsa County

    Marriage books for 1907-1920 are available at the Genealogy Center.

  • Tulsa County Clerk

    For original marriage and divorce documents, contact the Tulsa County Clerk's office.

  • OSCN

    One of two sites to search for court records. Choose "court dockets" and then "search dockets."

  • ODCR

    This is the second site to search for court records.

TCCL GENEALOGY CENTER

  • TCCL Genealogy Center

    The Genealogy Center of the Tulsa City-County Library System is one of the largest genealogy collections in Oklahoma. This collection focuses not only on Tulsa and Oklahoma but also contains sources covering many other areas. A large number of materials cover Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. The collection consists of books, microfilm, microfiche, CD ROMs and maps.

PHOTOGRAPHS

The Beryl Ford Collection online contains over 22,000 images. Depending on the person, there may be an image in this collection. 

UNIDENTIFIED PEOPLE ON FLICKR

The Tulsa City-County Library would like your help indentifying the unknown people and places in our digital collections. Visit the library's special collections on Flickr and look for the unknown sets.

VERTICAL FILES

One of the unique resources in the Research Center's OK Room is the extensive vertical file collection. Vertical files contain newspaper and magazine articles, brochures, reports, and ephemera for businesses, organizations, homes, buildings, events, and people in the area.

Newspaper articles, covering topics of local and regional interest, were selectively chosen from Tulsa’s major metropolitan dailies of the twentieth century and deposited in subject-based vertical files. This is the only major index in Tulsa for the Tulsa Tribune and for the Tulsa World before 1989. For more information on newspaper and periodical articles, please see our Local History in the Research Center guide.

Depending on the person, there may be content in our biography vertical files. 

LGBTQIA2S+ Resources

Resources for Individuals & Allies

Explore THIS webpage full of helpful information for parents, educators, allies and all members of the LGBTQIA2s+ community. 

LGBTQIA2S+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and Two-Spirit. The "+" exists to include additional gender identities and sexual orientation. Learn more about each term HERE.

pride flag

Trash, Recycling & Reuse

Welcome

Welcome to the Trash, Recycling and Reuse libguide.  Here you'll find information on disposal of everything from ordinary household trash to the tricky things like appliances and expired medications in the Tulsa area.

anonymous

Trash

Tulsa Trash Pickup

Tulsa residential trash is picked up once a week and disposed of at the Walter B. Hall Resource Recovery Facility, an energy-from-waste plant managed by Covanta Energy, at 2122 S Yukon.  Steel is removed before incineration by magnets and some other recyclables are recovered by hand.  Steam from the incinerator is sold to Sunoco and PSO.  Trash hotline: 918-596-9777.

NeWSolutions operates new pay-as-you-throw system, in which customers  select their volume of service needed, ranging from once a week 32 gallon carts to twice a week multiple 96 gallon carts.  All trash must be bagged in the cart with the lid closed by 6 am.  Overflow bags will be accepted as well as bulky pickup at an extra charge.  Stickers for overflow may be purchased (50 cents each) at convenience stores; bulky waste will be $5 per pickup, arranged by phone.  To arrange a bulky pickup, change your cart size or pick-up frequency, or report a problem, call 918-596-9777.

Leaves, lawn clippings, and branches can be bagged and placed within carts.  Additional green waste must be bundled or bagged in clear/transparent plastic  to be picked up at no additional charge. 

Stickers: orange overflow stickers can be purchased at Quiktrip stores  and City Hall, 175 E 2nd St, fifty cents each, in sheets of five.  Residents will receive 10 free overflow trash stickers in the mail. 

Special services are available to physically disabled customers living without able bodied persons in the home.  Registered neighborhood groups can arrange for a free dumpster from the city for neighborhood clean-up projects.  Call 918-596-2100.

Suburban Trash

Bixby uses several different haulers.

Broken Arrow 918-259-8373.

Collinsville. 918-371-1010.

Glenpool.  918-322-5442.

Jenks.  918-299-5363.

Owasso Public Works Department. 918-272-4959.

Sand Springs. 918-246-2588.  Free bulky waste drop off for Sand Springs trash customers: CARE Day, 10/6/12, 8-2 at American Environmental Landfill, street division, 8620 W 21st.

Skiatook. 918-369-2797.

Sperry. 918-288-7144.

Hazardous Materials

Dead Animal Pickup: Tulsa residents can call 918-596-9777 for dead animal curbside pickup.

Household pollutants: Residential pesticides, oil-based paints, cleaners, batteries, acids, caustics, thinners, flammable liquids, oil, fluorescent bulbs, antifreeze, bullets, smoke alarms, and medications are collected Spring and Fall at Expo Square by the M.e.t. 918-584-0584.  Permanent city facility opened January 2016 at 4502 S Galveston.  Open Wednesdays and Saturdays by appointment 8-4.30.  Call 918-596-2100.  Accepts fluorescent and cfl bulbs,  oil paint and thinner, flammable liquids, lawn chemicals,  automotive fluids, cooking oil and grease, aerosols, car and household batteries, cleaners, and pool chemicals. 

Motor oil: Accepted at most M.e.t. recycling centers and City Pollutant Collection facility.

Paint: Oil paint accepted at Household Pollutant Collection. Latex paint dried in cans accepted by most trash haulers.  Lead paint accepted at Burnside and Associates, 918-630-8557 or call the National Lead Hotline 1-800-424-5323.

Fluorescent light bulbs: CFLs accepted at Home Depot and Lowe's stores' customer service desks as well as Stericycle 2120 SW Blvd, 918-587-9664 as well as the City Pollutants Collection facility. 

Electronic devices: See E-waste box.

Medical waste: Stericycle, 2120 SW Blvd, 918-587-9664. 

Miscellaneous: Safety Kleen 16319 E Marshall, 918-234-5185 or Stericycle 2120 SW Blvd, 918-587-9664 or WES&T, 9802 E 46th Pl, 918-858-1050.

Green waste

Tulsa curbside: Accepts up to 15 bags of yard waste bundled or clear-plastic-bagged at no extra charge.  It goes to the Waste-To-Energy plant.

Green Waste Facility: 2100 North 145th E. Ave., 918-591-4325. Free for Tulsa residents, charge for others.  Free wood chips and firewood.  Free dump for greenwaste to be mulched.

 Both the M.e.t. and Tulsa Master Gardeners provide information on composting yard and kitchen waste and have created a joint program, Compost Everything, with information, brochures, and presentations.

Landfills

American Environmental Landfill, 212 N 177th W Ave, Sand Springs, 918-245-7786.

Creek County Landfill, 10250 S 33rd W Ave, Sapulpa, 918-299-3755.

Quarry Landfill, 4041 N 141st E Ave, 918-439-7835.  Free to Tulsa residents twice a year.

Bulky Waste

Tulsans can call the city for bulky waste pickup at 918-596-9777.  Each pickup is $5.  Acceptable items include televisions, furniture, and large appliances.  There is an additional charge for air conditioners and refrigerators. 

Public landfills also accept bulky waste; Tulsa has a free landfill day in spring and fall.

Sensitive documents

Paper Shredding is offered for a fee from:

Green Country Recycling, 2404 E 18th St, 918-749-5885.

Greenstar Recycling, 360 S Main St, Sand Springs, 918-245-7030.

Paper Chase, 2610 S Harvard, 918-744-7141.

Shredders, 635 W 41st St, 918-446-8386.

Show Inc., 425 W Wells, Sapulpa, 918-224-7214.

Private haulers

A number of businesses operate dumpsters for businesses and rent them to private households. These companies may also process construction and demolition (C&D) and industrial waste.

American Waste Control.  918-446-0023.

Harley Hollan. 918-317-7777.

National Waste and Disposal. 918-838-0504.

Tires

Waste tires can be recycled at tire dealers for a small fee.  Tire dealers are required by law to collect both tires and the fee.  TUlsa's authorized Collector is Lafarge Cement Kiln/Systech 2609 N 145th E Ave, 918-825-1937.

Recycling

Tulsa curbside recycling

Tulsa will offer free curbside recycling to all residents in individual homes starting October 1, 2012.  Residents will receive a 96 gallon blue recycling bin which will be picked up weekly with trash pickup.  Recycling is optional.  Materials should not be bagged or sorted  but items having been in contact with food should be rinsed and the cart lid must be completely closed.  The recycled items are processed by American Waste Control, Inc.

The following materials will be accepted:

  • Aluminum cans
  • Glass bottles and jars
  • Glass jars
  • Paper--junk mail, newspapers, magazines, office paper.
  • Cardboard
  • Plastics #1-#7.  Including bottle lids (removed) and plastic tubs.

Some of the newly accepted items are clam-shell containers, , shrink wrap, plastic cups,  aerosol paint cans, plastic food trays, yogurt tubs, durable plastic storage containers, non-metallic wrapping paper, rinsed food cartons, and paperback books, including phone books.

Not accepted: auto glass, light bulbs, coated paper beverage cartons, metallic wrapping paper, Styrofoam, plastic sacks, hardcover books, pizza boxes, aluminum foil, plastic eating utensils, bubble wrap.

Tulsa M.E.T.

The Metropolitan Environmental Trust operates thirteen depots for residential recycling in the Greater Tulsa area.  All accept: #1 & #2 Plastic Bottles, Glass Bottles, Newspaper, Office Paper, Magazines, Aluminum Cans, Motor Oil (5 gallon limit), Batteries (household & auto), Cooking Oil, Eyeglasses and Phone Books.  Additional items are listed for each location.

Admiral Place Shopping Center. Admiral and Louisville. Every day 8-2.

Eastern Village Shopping Center. 21st and 129 E Ave. M-F 8-3, St 9-4, Sn 12-4.

Walmart Super Center. 81st and Lewis. M 9-4, T-F 9.30-4, St 9-4, Sn 9.30-4.30.

West Tulsa Warehouse Market. CLOSING 2/28/13. 51st St and Union Ave. M-St 9.30-4.30, Sn 12.30-4.30. Antifreeze (5 gallon limit).

Central Recycling Center. 3495 S Sheridan Rd. Every day 9.30-4.30. August 2012, open till 7.30.  E-waste under 40 lbs, except bulbs and monitors, and plastic grocery bags.

Bixby. 211 N Cabaniss.  M-F 9.30-1.30, St 9.30-3.30, Sn 10.30-2.30.   Steel cans.

Broken Arrow. 302 N Elm Pl. M-F 9-5, St 8-5, Sn 1-5.   Scrap Metal Antifreeze (5 gallon limit), Steel Cans, Cardboard, Paperboard.

Claremore. 810 Ramm Rd. M-St 10-3, Sn 12-5.  Steel cans, Cardboard.

Collinsville.  306 W Broadway.  M-St 10-2, Sn 12-4. 

Coweta. 12085 S Hwy 51. Every day 9-11.

Glenpool. 144th and Fern. M-F 10-4, St 8-5, Sn 11-5.30.  Steel Cans.

Jenks. 110 N Elm. M-F 8.30-1.30, St 9.30-3.30, Sn 11-4.  Steel Cans.

Owasso (affiliate, operated by the City of Owasso.) 499 S Main St. T-F 10-6, St 9-5. Cardboard, Passenger Tires (no rims).

Sand Springs. 105 E morrow Rd. Every Day 9.30-4.30.  Steel Cans, Cardboard.

M.e.t. depots also accept old green recycling bins (at Tulsa locations). The M.e.t. bins available for events and their website includes a much more extensive recycling directory than this guide.

E-waste

Oklahoma law requires safe disposal of electronic devices and they cannot be set out for regular curbside pickup.  Most recyclers charge a fee to accept televisions and monitors but most other e-waste can be dropped off at no charge.  Many manufacturers and retailers also offer take-back programs, refurbishing or salvaging old items; contact the individual manufacturer or retailer for details.  The M.e.t. is partnering with the company Natural Evolution to accept most small e-waste except televisions and monitors at their midtown depot, 3495 S Sheridan.

Some computers may be refurbished for use in schools, charities, etc.  PC Power 1611 S Utica Ave #308 918-493-8052, Cornerstone Assistance Network 1120 N. Peoria 918-583-3670, Bethesda Boys Ranch 918-827-6409

Bulky Waste: Tulsa trash collection will pick up televisions, computers, and monitors for a five dollar fee by appointment.  918-596-9777.

Cell phones may be dropped off at the M.e.t.'s e-waste drop-off trailer at their midtown depot, 3495 S Sheridan or at Electronic Synergy Foundation (4040 W Edison and other drop-off locations, 918-951-3902). .  Many charities also refurbish cell phones for the needy, including Tulsa County Sherriff's Office (303 W 1st St 918-596-4974), Tulsa Zoo (6421 E 36th St N 918-669-6600), and the Cell Phone Bank, which provides phones for 911 service and collects at many drop-off points in the area.  A similar program refurbishes phones for 911 use for Domestic Violence Intervention Services; phones can be dropped off at DVIS's office at 4300 S Harvard, 918-743-5763 or at any Verizon store.

Computers may be recycled for a fee at Best Buy, Compusalvage (1114 E Lincoln, Sapulpa, 918-521-0244), Envirosolve (2120 Southwest Blvd, 918-587-9664), Goodwill (2800 Southwest Blvd 918-581-1200), Natural Evolution (5719 E 13th St 918-836-2995), and Oklahoma Computer Recycling (4301 E Pine 918-459-8036), Electronic Synergy Foundation (4040 W Edison and other drop-off locations, 918-951-3902).

Printer cartridges can be returned to the manufacturer or most office supply stores, including Office Depot and Staples.

Televisions may be recycled for a fee at Best Buy, Compusalvage (1114 E Lincoln, Sapulpa, 918-521-0244), Envirosolve (2120 Southwest Blvd, 918-587-9664), Goodwill (2800 Southwest Blvd 918-581-1200), Natural Evolution (5719 E 13th St 918-836-2995), and Oklahoma Computer Recycling (4301 E Pine 918-459-8036).

Batteries:  Standard home batteries can be recycled at all M.e.t. centers and at the Household Pollutant event.  Rechargeable batteries can be dropped off at Lowe's, Best Buy, and Natural Evolution(918-836-2995).  Car batteries are accepted at Borg Steel (918-587-2437 1032 N Lewis), Grand Lake Recycling (918-256-3108 202 S Vann, Vinita), Interstate Battery System (918-610-0007 4116 S88th E Ave), M.e.t. centers, and the Owasso Recycling Center (918-272-4991, 499 S Main)

Other small appliances, devices and accessories can be dropped off at the M.e.t.'s e-waste trailer, 3495 S Sheridan.

Recycling as fundraiser

Paper Retriever , also known as Abitibi bins, provides bins to non-profits.  The public may drop off any paper products into the bins and the non-profits enjoy the proceeds. 2443 Dawson Road 1-800-874-1301.

Terracycle is a national company that organizes recycling drives for specific packaging items.  Each participating team collects material to earn money for schools and other non-profits. 609-393-4252.

Many small school systems and churches collect newspapers, aluminum cans, and other recyclables as fundraisers.

Commercial, suburban, and multi-family recycling

People living in suburban communities or Tulsans living in apartments without curbside pickup can drop off recyclables at a M.e.t. depot or arrange for recycling with commercial recyclers.

Gentle Earth Recycling serves Broken Arrow, Bixby, Owasso, Glenpool and South Tulsa.  PO Box 353, Broken Arrow, OK 74013, 918-630-0841.

Greenstar Recycling 360 S Main St, Sand Springs, 918-245-7030.

Jenks is commencing a One Cart Recycling program, in which paper, plastic, cardboard and aluminum cans may be placed underneath bagged trash in cans for pickup.  No more details available 3/25/13.

Owasso Recycling Center 499 S Main 918-272-4991. Motor oil, cooking oil, glass, aluminum cans, #1, #2 plastic, newspaper, cardboard, office paper, telephone books, automobile batteries, anti-freeze and other trash, residential only.

Shikoba Recycling serves businesses, apartments, and suburbans communities throughout the Greater Tulsa area.  918-894-2019.

Show, Inc offers curbside recycling in Sapulpa and services business bins.  425 W Wells Blvd, Sapulpa, 918-224-7214.

Alternative Recycling

CFL bulbs can be recycled at Lowe's and Home Depot stores.  See lamprecycle.org for more locations in your area.

Plastic shopping bags can be returned to many area grocery stores, as well as the Sheridan Midtown M.E.T. center.

Metal (other than aluminum cans): BA M.e.t. Center, 302 N Elm Pl, 918-584-0584, scrap only;

Metal for cash: BAM Metal, 36197 E 71st St, BA, 918-660-7070, pays for all metals; Borg Compressed Steel, 1032 N Lewis, 918-587-2511, ferrous and non-ferrous

The M.e.t.,Earth911.com, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, and Sustainable Tulsa are great resources for recycling questions.

Medications and medical supplies

Prescription medications can be dropped off at any Tulsa Police Department station, the Tulsa County Sherriff's office, or with the Sand Springs, Bixby, Broken Arrow, or Sapulpa Police for safe disposal.  Call 918-596-5601 or 918-596-9222.

Medications can also be dropped off at the M.e.t.'s twice yearly Household Pollutant Events.

Medical waste can be safely disposed of for a fee by companies such as Stericycle 1-866-783-7422, Red Earth 405-844-8078, or MedPro 1-866-924-9339.  Most provide a mail back service for home sharps users.  Some waste may be disposed of through the M.e.t.'s Household Pollutant Events.

Eyeglasses can be redistributed to the needy through area Lions Clubs, Neighbor for Neighbor, and other charities.  M.e.t. depots collect glasses for Lions Clubs.

Hearing aids can be redistributed to the needy through the Sertoma Hearing Aid Recycling Program at the Total Source for Hearing-loss and Access 918-832-8742.

Prosthetic limbs are collected and distributed by Limbs for Life 405-605-5462, as well as many other charities.

Walkers, wheelchairs, and other assistive devices are periodically collected by several charities.  If you have unused devices, contact a specific charity.

 

Reuse

Clothing

Most community agencies and many churches operate clothes closets for those in need and accept donations, as do thrift stores.  A few specialty clothing donation collectors include:

School uniforms: Riley's Closet is a student-led uniform drive. 918-637-9998. 

Baby clothes: Emergency Infant Services collects clothing, toys, diapers, etc. for families in emergency need. 918-592-2229.  Foster Family Resource Center provides clothing, toys, furniture, etc. for foster families. 918-742-9447.

Formal wear: Becca's Closet is a national organization providing gently used formal wear to low-income teenagers for Prom.  Three chapter are active in the Tulsa area: Hillary's Dream 918-481-0889, Holland Hall 918-281-9489 or 918-260-2967, and Prom Wishes 918-288-6899.

Business attire: Dress for Success Tulsa collects interview-appropriate clothing for low-income women. 918-599-8892.

Appliances

Air conditioners: The Community Service Council Tulsa Weather Coalition distributes working air conditioners for low-income, elderly and disabled people.  16 E 16th St 918-834-2665.

Working appliances are accepted by most thrift stores and may be appropriate for charities giving directly to the needy.

Non-working small appliances can be recycled at the M.e.t.'s e-waste drop-off, 3495 S Sheridan Rd.

Non-working large appliances may be salvaged for materials when dropped off at the Quarry Landfill, 13780 E 46 St N 918-437-7773, or picked up by Tulsa's trash service, 918-596-9777, as a bulky pick-up.  There are fees for both services.

Household goods

Many community agencies collect and distribute household goods for the needy and all thrift stores accept household donations.  A few specific organizations include:

Bicycles: Tulsa Hub collects and reconditions bicycles for needy adults.  Also accepts parts and gear.  918-813-0028

Toys and Baby Gear: Emergency Infant Services collects bottles and toys for families in need.  918-592-2229.  Foster Family Resource Center collects toys, furniture, books, strollers, etc. for foster families.  918-742-9447

Pet supplies: Most animal rescue organizations welcome pet supplies such as carriers, crates, dishes, leashes, and toys.  For an extensive list, see Tulsa Organizations and Services Lost and Found Pets page.

 

General Donation Sites

A number of helping agencies, ministries and community organizations accept in-kind donations they distribute directly to those in need.  Most do not make home pick-ups.

Arms Around BA 700 W Ft Worth 918-258-7714.

Bixby Outreach Center 4 E Dawes 918-366-9226.

Broken Arrow Neighbors 322 W Broadway 918-251-7781.

Catholic Charities 2450 N Harvard 918-949-4673.

Community Care Inc of Sapulpa 12 W Burnham 918-224-6464.

First Baptist Church 403 S Cincinnati 918-587-1571.

Family and Children's Services 650 S Peoria 918-560-1118

Immanuel Baptist Church 1915 E 3rd 918-587-8431.

John 3:16 Mission 205 E Pine 918-587-1186.

Kendall-Whittier Inc 918-743-9559.

Mental Health Association in Tulsa 1870 S Boulder 918-585-1213.

Mercy Mission II 114 E 147th St, Glenpool 918-694-3840

Ministry Center 312 S 33 W Ave 918-585-5310.

Neighbor for Neighbor 505 E 36th St N 918-425-5578.

Neighbors Along the Line 5000 Charles Page Blvd 918-582-3491.

Restore Hope Ministries 2960 Charles Page Blvd 918-582-5766.

Salvation Army 102 N Denver 918-582-7201.

Sand Springs Community Center 114 W 4th St 918-245-5183.

Skiatook Emergency Assistance Center and Skiatook Resource Center 123 S Broadway 918-396-4108.

South Tulsa Community House 1208 E 58th St 918-742-5597.

St Clement Outreach Ministry 15501 S Memorial Dr 918-366-3166.

Third Place Community Foundation 5920 N Owasso 918-794-4637.

Tulsa Center for AIDS Resources and Education Services 3507 E Admiral Pl 918-834-4194.

Tulsa Cornerstone Assistance Network 1073 N Owasso Av 918-583-3670

Tulsa Dream Center 200 W 46th St N 918-430-9984.

Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless 415 W Archer 918-583-5588.

Wagoner Area Neighbors 101 S Polk 918-485-2309.

Western Neighbors 4981 S Tacoma 918-445-8840

Books

Most of the listed thrift stores accept books in saleable condition. Neighbor for Neighbor (918-425-5578) has expressed special need for books and Youth Services of Tulsa (918-582-0061) also welcomes book and magazine donations.  The Tulsa City County Library's Book sale (918-549-7323) is currently suspended at Central during renovations but several smaller booksales continue at branches. Several schools and child care facilities may hold book fairs to raise funds or book drives to fill library shelves. 

Thrift Stores

Several organizations accept donations to stock their thrift stores.  Most will arrange for home pick-up.

AMVETs Community Thrift Store 6921 E Admiral Pl 918-836-9312

Animal Aid 3307 E 15th St 918-744-8280

Assistance League of Tulsa Bargains A Lot Store 3408 E 11th St 918-832-8832.

Goodwill 2800 Southwest Blvd and many other locations 918-584-7291

HOW Foundation 2216 S Aspen 918-455-8223.

Salvation Army 102 N Denver 918-583-6119.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore (building supply, hardware, fittings, etc.) 1234 S Norwood Ave 918-592-7904.

Food

Many churches and community agencies, such as those listed under "General Donation Sites," operate food pantries, and welcome non-perishable foods.  The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma collects and distributes food to agencies and kitchens throughout the area and can accept prepared and catered surplus, collecting it in refrigerated trucks, as well as excess garden produce through its Grow a Row for the Hungry program. 918-585-2800.

Pet food: Many animal rescue organizations accept pet food, especially for foster homes. 

Third Place Community Foundation includes pet food in its food pantry, distributing pet food to people who would otherwise be challenged to keep their pets. 918-794-7637.

A Friend for a Friend welcomes donations of pet food for the pets of HIV/AIDS patients. 918-747-6827

Employment Resources