The Renaissance Neighborhood History Project

Part II: We return to the story of the American Foursquare, built about 1906 in downtown Tulsa.  If you didn't read Part I, you may want to check it out here first.  Part II of this epic tale will share how the Foursquare found a new home and a new family at 1212 S. Birmingham Avenue.   The Foursquare at a new address on Birmingham Avenue. Image shared by current owners. **** In the early 1920’s, houses were being moved out of downtown Tulsa and further east and south to burgeoning neighborhoods. Tulsa Democrat, March 1917 It must have been a remarkable sight to see a large house being jacked up and rolled along a carefully plotted route to a new site. A huge undertaking, not to mention dangerous! Newspapers of the day are filled with tragic accidents and mishaps related to moving houses. You can read a story about one of them Here .  Some up and coming neighborhoods didn't allow houses moved in from elsewhere and even  advertised that they didn’t allow ...

An American Foursquare is style of residential architecture popular from the mid 1890’s through the 1930’s.   Plain and box shaped, the style was an American response to the complicated, ornate, Victorian revival style popular during the last half of the 19 th Century.   Generally, the homes are 2-2 1/2 stories high with a hipped roof (A roof that peaks in the very center of the square) and dormer windows (windows that peak out from the roof).   The exteriors are usually frame with clapboard or shingles, but can also be brick or stucco.   Symmetrical windows, and a large front porch with supporting columns and wide stairs are prominent.   Inside, the rooms are square and the flow of space is sensible and economical, both to build and maintain.   First-floor dining rooms often feature a bay window to break up the boxy exterior.   Beautiful but functional woodwork such as pocket doors and built in bookcases are common.   Form and function find a ba...