Hello all.
I have a question about Tulsa's past that I'm hoping someone here can answer.
Somewhere around 50-60 years ago my father-in-law and his family spent a few days in Tulsa.
He said they camped at a lake near downtown (not Keystone or anything that far away). I have lived in Tulsa for 20 years now and in that time FIL has visited on several occasions. On some of these trips we have driven around trying to look for his lake, but he can't find anything that looks familiar.
I have heard that there was a recreational lake (possibly created by damming the Arkansas River?) years ago that is now gone, but have not been able to confirm that.
Anyone familiar with Tulsa history know anything about what lake this could have been? FIL is sure it was a recreational lake (not just the river) not far from downtown.
Thanks!
Edit: Zink Lake obviously fits well geographically, but FIL described all kinds of recreation including fishing, boating, and swimming, which suggests there was quite a bit more to it than the wide spot in the river we have today. Did Zink Lake used to be something much more "back in the day"?
I wonder if it was Sand Springs Lake?
https://goo.gl/yWrfgR
I seem to remember hearing that there was camping there at one time or another.
or possibly white water park below the dam
Or Lake Yahola?
Quote from: dsjeffries on July 22, 2015, 10:59:38 AM
Or Lake Yahola?
Yahola isn't really close to downtown or the river for that matter.
Quote from: Hoss on July 22, 2015, 11:04:28 AM
Yahola isn't really close to downtown or the river for that matter.
Yahola is only 5-6 miles away from downtown, and at one time, its docks were open to the public. They could've camped out there.
Could be Funspot Skyline lake out near Jenks. It had swimming fishing camping and some carnival type rides including a great wooden roller coaster. It is now an event center surrounded by housing. Or perhaps Shell Lake in Sands Springs.
Just a thought. 60 years ago ranch acres was not developed. There are a couple of ponds in that area that may have been used for recreation.
Swan Lake? It was bigger than it is now.
Quote from: patric on July 22, 2015, 12:11:51 PM
Swan Lake? It was bigger than it is now.
May have still been called Orcutt Lake at that time.
1955 Swan Lake was fully developed. Most of those homes were from the 20's and 30's.
I can't really place anything from that time period near downtown. Maybe something west of down town like Crystal City?
What about that little lake at 31st and Gary? Those houses look like they are from the 50s and 60s
Surely not the pond at Owen Park? That used to be a recreational area.
The boating part, with any of the locations we have discussed, would have to have been paddle or row boats. I too had wondered about the pond at Owen Park, but the camping doesn't sound right.
Pretty old area. There is a small creek that feeds into it (usually dry). That sounds like the best guess.
I could look in my Atlas of Tulsa book to find out exactly where this might have been. It's got street layouts from the 20's up to '62.
Pick a spot and I can scan it in.
(http://i.imgur.com/VnoOH0g.jpg)
Quote from: AquaMan on July 22, 2015, 11:39:38 AM
Could be Funspot Skyline lake out near Jenks. It had swimming fishing camping and some carnival type rides including a great wooden roller coaster. It is now an event center surrounded by housing. Or perhaps Shell Lake in Sands Springs.
Has to be Skyline. Only place that had fishing/camping nearby. And the roller coaster!! Bullett!! And Tilt-A-Whirl....
I would still go to an amusement park that only had those 3 rides....
Quote from: swake on July 22, 2015, 07:55:50 PM
What about that little lake at 31st and Gary? Those houses look like they are from the 50s and 60s
That was never a camping area though. Was "with" the subdivision...I think it was there as farm pond, but incorporated into the neighborhood.
Mockingbird Lake was another neighborhood lake. Always could catch small fish there as a kid....about two blocks away from one place we lived.
Quote from: zenmechanic on July 23, 2015, 02:47:12 PM
I could look in my Atlas of Tulsa book to find out exactly where this might have been. It's got street layouts from the 20's up to '62.
Pick a spot and I can scan it in.
How about the area just north of 36th street at Sandusky and Toledo. (Just north of Mockingbird Lake mentioned previously...)
Quote from: AquaMan on July 22, 2015, 11:49:39 AM
Just a thought. 60 years ago ranch acres was not developed. There are a couple of ponds in that area that may have been used for recreation.
Started in the early 50's....It was on its way.....
Quote from: heironymouspasparagus on July 23, 2015, 05:29:13 PM
How about the area just north of 36th street at Sandusky and Toledo. (Just north of Mockingbird Lake mentioned previously...)
Once I get home from work I'll give it a shot. How big of an area do you want?
Quote from: AquaMan on July 22, 2015, 11:39:38 AM
Could be Funspot Skyline lake out near Jenks. It had swimming fishing camping and some carnival type rides including a great wooden roller coaster. It is now an event center surrounded by housing. Or perhaps Shell Lake in Sands Springs.
Wow, thanks everyone for all the great responses.
This Skyline Lake possibility seems to be a pretty good match.
I'll explore your various ideas in more detail and may be able to come up with the answer.
Thanks again! You've been a lot of help!
What about Mohawk Park? There is a lake there.
Quote from: sauerkraut on July 26, 2015, 02:56:35 PM
What about Mohawk Park? There is a lake there.
If you knew the geography here then you'd know Lake Yahola has already been mentioned.
::)
http://tulsatvmemories.com/skyline.html
(http://goo.gl/maps/vqqU4)
https://goo.gl/maps/vqqU4
Quote from: zenmechanic on July 24, 2015, 02:12:11 PM
Once I get home from work I'll give it a shot. How big of an area do you want?
1/4 mile by 1/4 mile would be good. Thanks!
Quote from: RecycleMichael on July 26, 2015, 10:04:50 PM
http://tulsatvmemories.com/skyline.html
Company picnics through the 50's/60's. One picnic, rode the roller coaster, alternating with the Bullet, 38 times each - going from one to the other then back.