You only think you know Sapulpa.
Every week we publish stories of Sapulpa's history, recalling both the events at the time, and the nostalgia for days gone by. Dig in and learn more about what the Sapulpa of yesteryear was like.
Proudly brought to you by the Sapulpa Historical Society Museum
This Week in Sapulpa History: Heating Up at the Glass Plant
The Bartlett Collins Glass Plant opened in 1915, but it wasn't long before upset employees went on strike.
February 8, 2024This Week in Sapulpa History: Impressed with the Empress Theatre
This week in Sapulpa History, the Empress Theatre brought to life a William Shakespeare classic with an amazing new feature: sound!
February 1, 2024This Week in Sapulpa History: Historic Landmark Preserved
Learn more about where Sapulpa is buried, and who the family members are buried with him, and how the Daughters of the American Revolution helped secure the location for preservation.
January 27, 2024This Week in Sapulpa History: Sapulpa’s Grand St. James
Billed as "modern and first-class in every details," the St. James Hotel stood for well over 50 years before demolished in the 1960s. Read about how it got built in "This Week in Sapulpa History."
January 10, 2024This Week in Sapulpa History: Early Days of Sapulpa Schools
This week in Sapulpa History, a new school board met and found that a single teacher had 104 students, necessitating the need for new schools and more teachers. Read the about how some of our earliest school buildings came to be.
January 5, 2024This Week in Sapulpa History – Major Meyer and Mize Fire
This week in Sapulpa history, read the story about the mysterious blaze that took out the Wills Building and severely damaged the Mize Drugstore and the famous Max Meyer Outfitters store.
December 29, 2023
Do You Remember… the Cherokee Building?
In the early 1900s, oil and money flowed like water through Sapulpa. Bates Burnett (of Burnett Mansion fame) built several buildings, including this one still in use today.
Do You Remember…Bob Davis Tires?
The Bob Davis Tire Company is now merely a part of Sapulpa’s history, but its owners and employees will not be forgotten. This is their story.
Do You Remember…The Little Gem cafe?
Of all the restaurants throughout the history of our town, the Little Gem Cafe has been one of the most fondly remembered. Interestingly enough, the legacy of this popular cafe began halfway around the world.
Do You Remember…KREK/KXOJ?
Before the popularization of television, families gathered around the radio to listen to their favorite shows. Local radio stations became a common source for music and news, and Sapulpa eventually joined the foray into radio broadcasting in June of 1962.
Do You Remember the Bartlett Family?
The philanthropic family that started Bartlett-Collins Glass Co. has been a known name in our community for generations. Learn more about how they came to Sapulpa.
Do You Remember Liberty Glass?
At one time there were four glass plants operating in Sapulpa. One of the most prominent was Liberty Glass. Read more about the company that contributed to Sapulpa's moniker: "The Crystal City of the Southwest."
Do you remember the Gierharts?
The Gierharts are an entrepreneurial family whose service to Sapulpa has spanned over seven decades.
Do You Remember Rockin’ John Henry?
For over 25 years, a Sapulpa native named John Henry was the voice of rock ‘n’ roll and blues in Tulsa. He billed himself as “Tulsa’s oldest teenager,” and he told his listeners, “Stay with rock ‘n’ roll, and you’ll stay young forever.”
Do You Remember…the Coca-Cola Bottling Company?
Yes, Sapulpa once had a bottling plant for one of America's most famous sodas. Learn more about what it was like when we had the Coca-Cola Bottling Co.
Do You Remember…The Sapulpa Airport?
During the 1920s and 1930s, interest in aviation soared as technology rapidly advanced and as events such as Charles Lindberg’s transatlantic flight in the “Spirit of St. Louis” captured the imagination of the American public. Sapulpa was no exception.
Do you remember Dr. Philip Joseph?
Dr. Joseph passed away in 1991, but his imprint on the community has not been forgotten. The man delivered over 4,000 babies, including some you've undoubtedly heard of!
Do you remember the Starlite Roller Rink?
The Starlite Roller Rink, which was opened in the early 1950s, was once considered the “flagship” roller skating rink along Route 66.