City history
From its roots in Osage territory to its meteoric rise as a global energy hub, Tulsa's history is a timeline of rapid industrial transformation.
Chapter one
Indigenous name
"Town or village"
The name Tulsa is derived from the Osage word Talwa, which translates to a town or settlement, reflecting the area's historical significance to the Osage Nation.
Town
Adopted from the Osage term for a settlement or village.
Chapter two
Following the adoption of railroad standard time, the region transitioned from local solar time toward coordinated time zones.
Oklahoma began observing daylight saving time shifts to adjust local clock time during warmer months.
Chapter three
The Tulsa Land and Improvement Company officially platted the townsite, marking the formal beginning of the modern city.
The discovery of the Glenn Pool oil field transformed Tulsa from a small settlement into a global petroleum center.
Tulsa solidified its reputation as the Oil Capital of the World, driving massive urban development and economic wealth.
The development of Skelly Field provided a critical aviation link for the growing industrial and commercial sectors of the city.