Photo Tour: Broken Arrow Moderns

-
Just a few random images. 

Tulsa's largest suburb isn't usually associated with modernism, but if you look closely there are some unique examples of Mid-Century Modern. Here's a random sampling I snapped on a cloudy day in December...

By far the best known modern structure in BA would have to be this white building on the hill. For decades this former church has been turning heads near the Broken Arrow Expressway. Some people describe it as a covered wagon, others see a cornucopia. But Jackie's nickname for it my favorite is. She has called it the "chicken church" since childhood.

Lutheran Church by Bill Ryan

Mod Steeple

Today it's called the Chapel on the Hill. It was originally built as a Lutheran church and designed by William H. Ryan. Bill also designed East Central High School in Tulsa. His fascination with round roofs and concrete is evident. Especially when you consider he also penned Tulsa's iconic Rose Bowl on Route 66 and the original Elk's Lodge dome building on South Harvard.

Today the former church operates as an event center and is available for weddings, reunions, receptions, etc. If you're wondering what the interior looks like visit their website and click on the promotional video link. You're in for a treat!
www.chapelonthehilltulsa.com


Chapel on the Hill
View from the south. When viewed from the nearby expressway the
building resembles a chicken sitting on her nest.


Our next modern stop is another church, the St. Anne Roman Catholic Church.

St. Anne Roman Catholic Church

St. Anne's CarylonCompleted in 1983 this is not our typical Mid Mod style, but it is a pretty contemporary building. My favorite detail is the open-face carillon.

The parish is located on Lynne Lane south of the Broken Arrow Expressway. For more on the interesting history of this parish and photos visit their gallery on the St Anne Website.

Finally we leave you with this wonderful example of understated modernism- the Broken Arrow Central Fire Station.


Mod Fire Station

Located on Kenosha (71st Street) at Main, the Central Fire Station was built in 1973. The exposed structure and tasteful landscaping catch my eye every time I pass this way. Hopefully, those in charge appreciate its clean and simple design.

Did we miss one?
I'm almost sure of it!
This was never meant to be an exhaustive catalog. But if you'd like to share your favorite contact us or post it on our Facebook page!

Location: Broken Arrow, OK, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Most Popular Posts

Visit to the Prairie Chicken House

-
Image
This unique house on the edge of Norman, Oklahoma is known to most as the prairie chicken house. Designed by Herb Greene in 1960, he preferred to call it simply the Prairie House .  Thanks to the  Prairie House Preservation Society  (PHPS) it is now possible for the public to experience one of Oklahoma's most unusual architectural treasures. 
Read more

Home of ORU Architect on the Auction Block

-
Image
Frank Wallace is best known as the man behind the futuristic look of the Oral Roberts University campus. On October 14, 2010 his unique home overlooking ORU will be sold in a public auction conducted by Mister Ed's Auctions . Jackie and I recently had a chance to visit with Mr. Wallace and learn more about the house, his career and his thoughts on architecture. When we visited we expected to snap a few photos of an empty house and speak with a representative from the auction company. To our surprise the door opened, and we were greeted by Mr. Wallace himself! After assuring him we were not architects, he let us look around. Unfortunately we were not prepared to interview the man whose buildings incite such extremely diverse reactions- but that didn't stop me from asking him several questions anyway.  The home, completed in 1980, was designed and built by Wallace who is now 87. The expansive home is so large that Wallace spends most of his time in a room that was his la...
Read more

The World Museum

-
Image
The widening of I-44 through Tulsa will soon claim another mid-century building (see Modern Homes Make Way for I-44 ). This unusual landmark near Peoria, once known as the World Museum, is being emptied in preparation for demolition. The concrete complex was built in 1963 by the Osborn Ministries as a museum and "Interstate Temple." Self-proclaimed minister, T. L. Osborn, and his wife, Daisy, traveled the world as Christian missionaries and collected art and artifacts on their journeys. The unusual La Concha-esque building housed their partial collection and distracted motorists touring along the new Skelly Bypass (aka I-44). The exterior of the building is adorned with maps of the world's continents. In its heyday there was a good deal more- a giant outline of Jesus was on one wall. The inscription below it, "REX," provided one of my earliest Latin lessons when I asked Dad why that building had my name on it. There was also a large globe that once stood out fr...
Read more