Remembering east Tulsa in the '60s and '70s; Tulsa street names

One forum -- http://forums.chisham.com -- is enough for me. So, I'll post some memories of Tulsa here. We lived at 1012 E. 5th Pl. when I was born. I don't think it is habitable now. There was a very nice lady who live next door who I knew as Mrs. Aurandt. Later in life, I learned she had a son named Paul. (Think about it, and yes, it is the same one.)

We moved out to the 4100 block of N. Detroit Pl. where I attended Alcott Elementary. It was well known throughout the school that the principal, Mr. Garrett, had a fearsome electric paddle. Was ours the only elementary school equipped with an electric paddle, or did all principals back in those days have one stored away waiting for just the right offense?

Flatrock creek was behind the house with the big hill, bicycle trails, and the woods -- a great place for finding crawdads in the creek or shooting BB guns. From our house, we could see the annual fireworks display that was shot from the hill behind Northland. For some reason, pigeon raising caught on in the neighborhood. I think there were four or five houses (including ours) where kids were raising pigeons. Not a bad place for a city kid to live.

Thanks for the memories! When I read the address I knew what was coming. Can you tell us more about Mrs. Aurandt? You know, the Rest of the Story!

For what it's worth, 5th Place was named Fostoria when the neighborhood was first platted. If you go back far enough in the city directories, you'll see the Aurandts listed with a Fostoria address.

As for paddles, Mr. Hough, the vice principal at Catoosa Elementary School, was reputed to have a paddle with holes drilled into it so he could swing it faster. I imagine such dezinformatsiya was commonly used in elementary schools back then to spread fear and instill obedience.

I wish I could tell you more about E. 5th Pl., but I was too young to remember much more than the lady next door was a nice lady who sometimes had treats for me. My late dad took a wonderful picture of Paul and his mother in a porch swing. My mother still has it. My dad was pastor at the 1st Church Of God (Anderson) at 5th and Madison which is now in the middle of the expressway. The church was forced to moved to the building at 3rd. and Trenton which was later bought by Leon Russell.

Assuming I'm not totally dazed and confused, I think Ken Neal had some association with the 5th and Madison church -- youth or music leader; something like that. You'll have to ask him about it next time you see him. I know how you two pal around all the time. (snort snort).

If you ever have the chance to take a digital photo of (or scan) that photo of Paul Harvey and his mom, please e-mail me a copy. I'd love to see it and post it here. (I'll bet Paul would like to see it, too!)

The building you refer to at 3rd & Trenton -- is that "the Church Studio," more recently owned by Steve Ripley of the Tractors? And is there a connection between that church and the COG (Anderson) congregation on Pine west of Sheridan?

I have seen Ken once or twice, holding court on Monday mornings at the Panera on 15th Street, but that was before I discovered the joys of independent coffee houses. I don't go in Panera much these days.

My dad usually took slides -- which can be transferred to print. He eventually did get a nice print made and sent to Paul who responded with a warm and grateful letter. I'll have to check to see if there is another print that can be scanned or if the slide can be located.

The 3rd & Trenton building is the one you mention. If you start up the main stairs, there is a corner stone (sort of) with First Church of God (1961 I think) on it. I have forgotten who the original occupants were. My guess is Church of the Brethren, or Friends Church ... ??? But don't quote me on that.

I think the COG you mention is East Tulsa COG, and that is the same denomination. Phil Driscoll grew up in East Tulsa COG and used to play sometimes at local COG youth gatherings. 1st COG merged with Darlington Ave. COG to form Southpark Community Church out on E. 41st. The Darlington Ave. building is now the Catholic church on Fulton near Bethany Lutheran (where I was organist for about 17 years).

Other notable COG Anderson people are Bill Gaither; Sandi Patty's Parents, Ron and Carolyn; Doug Oldham whose father, W. Dale Oldham, was a prominent preacher in the COG.

Speaking of youth gatherings and things gone away: The Glider roller skating rink out west of the Pepsi plant. The building is still there last I checked, but no skating going on there for a long time.

Also gone is 2nd Presbyterian at Archer and Zunis. I was the last organist there until it closed (2004 iirc). It's a neat building if you ever get a chance to look around in it. John Oxley was a member. Reading copies of the newspaper 2nd Pres. printed in the 30s, I learned that it was the 4th or 5th largest Tulsa church in the 1930s with Sunday school attendance of 900 - 1200 depending on the weather (most people walked). 1st Pres. and 1st Christian battled it out for 1st place with about 1500 to 1700 Sunday school attendees.

And East Side Cafe is gone. It was a great treat for us kids to be taken there for a fried chicked dinner after church in the 1960s. Often, people were lined up outside.

I stumbled across that building the other day as I was heading to the Health Dept. to pick up the birth certificate for my son. I drove by it thinking, that could really become something if treated right. So today after being bored for a while, I decided to drive all the way back down there to take a look. Me and a friend got out, looked around, and fell in love with it. Does anyone know if that Church on 3rd and Trenton is available for Sale or Lease? I would like to purchase it, and restore it to its original glory. (though it will take many years) Myself and a friend of mine, are interested in old buildings such as these. Though we probably will not turn it back into a church I would still like to see a building as beautiful as this one restored. The mason work is fascinating to me. To be 80 years old, and with standing Oklahoma weather such as it has...that is something to behold in itself. If anyone has anything at all that could point me in the right direction I would greatly appreciate it.

Regards,
Robert