Hidden History of Tulsa

The story of Tulsa's transformation from a nineteenth-century cow town into the "Oil Capital of the World" has been above ground for years, but a great reservoir of Tulsey Town's heritage has remained beneath the surface. These neglected tales include the dirigible flyover of 1929, the Hominy Indians' victory over the New York Giants and the legendary final performance of Spade Cooley, convicted killer and the self-proclaimed "King of Western Swing." From the horrors of the city's early race riot and the proud legacy of Greenwood (aka Little Africa or Black Wall Street) to Tulsa's iconic landmarks and unforgettable personalities, Steve Gerkin provides an evocative and enjoyable voyage through T-Town's hidden history.

A graduate of Oklahoma State University and the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, Steve Gerkin has been a This Land Press contributing editor for three years. This Land is a Tulsa-based social media company whose focus is Oklahoma writers writing about Oklahoma-related issues. He retired as a general dentist in 2010 and as a professor of wine education for seven years at Oklahoma State University in 2013. Gerkin is a lifetime member of the Oklahoma and Tulsa Historical Societies.