The owners of 1439 S Gary Avenue were contacted out of the blue by a man who collected keys. Somehow, he cam into possession of three very old keys clearly labeled 1439 S. Gary Ave and decided to return them to the home. Although the locks that originally fit the keys have been upgraded (One does still exist but is no longer an exterior door) the return of the original keys unlocked a curiosity for this home’s history. The charming petite brick Tudor cottage was built in about 1929 and the first owners of the home were the Sell family. The 1930 US Census listed the family as follows: Merle and Loraine Sell were both 35 with three young children, John (8), Helen (4) and June (2). The 2 bedroom/1 bath home was valued at $6,000. Mr. Sell seems to been in sales. Seriously. 😊 From cigars to cars. He was also a Veteran of the first World War had been hospitalized at at the VA Hospital in Muskoge...
The Renaissance Neighborhood is defined by 11th Street on the North, 15th Street on the South, Lewis Avenue on the West and Harvard Avenue on the East. This is the heart of midtown Tulsa.