The Renaissance Neighborhood History Project

The Signal Addition, where the property at hand is located, was established in 1923 by Miss Pearl May Alexander.   Miss Alexander was the daughter of Mr. C. P. Alexander, one of the largest property owners in Tulsa in the 20’s and 30’s.  He probably arranged for his daughter to have the property in her name since, according to the 1920 Census, she was 31 years of age and unmarried.    Mr. Jack Edmond Stegall bought a number of lots in the Signal Addition, possibly for development, but also, it turned out, for himself.    He purchased nearly the entire east side of Evanston Avenue between Twelfth  and Thirteenth  Streets. Jack Edmond Stegall Jack Stegall was one of those men who lived in the early 20 th century and blazed his own path.   According to his  granddaughter: “My grandad was a real self-made man. He was a cowboy, surveyed for the railroad, carpenter, house builder, cabinet maker and, most impressive, an antique clock hunter an...

Authors Note: The first time I saw Rocky Frisco he made an impression.  I had no idea he was a renowned musician, but I was immediately taken by his personal style, speaking voice and presence.  He wore a classic western shirt with pearl snaps tucked into jeans with boots.  I don't recall if he wore a large belt buckle but I feel certain he must have.  Although, he was of average height with a slim build, he carried himself in a way that stood out.  Probably from all the years of performing.  He was a compelling speaker with interesting points... like wanting to do away with leash laws for cats to help control the rat population.    Over the years I encountered him several times at our bi-annual neighborhood meetings and also corresponded with him a bit about the history of the neighborhood.  Some who will read this undoubtedly knew him better than I.  This post is not intended to be complete biography and I know I'm leaving out many imp...

I’ve been on a personal quest to try to find out if and where Addie Perryman lived on her land.   Several sources say that she raised her family on her allotment land, but US Census Records place her in rented homes near, but not on her land.   One very old tiny cottage, located at 1302 S. Columbia Avenue, has been rumored to be “the original farm house” for the entire area so I wanted to investigate if this could have been Addie's home.   I was able to contact the owner who shared some information and permitted me to check out the property abstract.   I’ll jump to the punch line.   Addie Perryman never lived there.   But!   Some interesting people with important history owned the property in years gone by.                                                                       ...

Mr. George Ramsey built the two-story brick building that once occupied the Northwest corner of 15th and Delaware Avenue. The Renaissance Neighborhood sometimes called it the “Bead Merchant building.” Mr. Ramsey was born in Missouri in 1895 and was in Tulsa by the mid nineteen teens. He built the building and operated the Ramsey Market out of the first floor. It is believed that he also built and lived in the home directly North of the two-story building on Delaware Avenue (still there today).  The building contained a grocery through the 1950’s. Children attending Wilson School would stop along their way to and from school. From left to right: John Warren Holderman, George Ramsey and his sister, Safrona Ramsey Holderman.   Picture from private collection of John Holderman. Over the years the building housed a variety of businesses. These included a printing business, Rhodes Antiques and the Bead Merchant. The buildings to the west of the grocery, now torn...