Oklahoma Modern

Last month the National Trust for Historic Preservation presented their 2007 Board of Advisors Award to the Gold Dome Bank in Oklahoma City. When plans were announced to demolish this iconic structure, local preservationists launched a spirited, grassroots campaign to save this Buckminster Fuller-inspired geodesic dome. Now, it’s a thriving mixed-use center that anchors the city’s newly designated Asian District. > full press release I remember seeing this building as a child from the back seat of our Ford Galaxie 500. That entire area around 23rd and Classen always fascinated me— the Townley's Milk Bottle, The Price Tower-esque office building and the brick storefronts lining Route 66. When the word got out that Walgreens planned to demolish the Gold Dome Bank I was working for About.com as their guide for Tulsa. I immediately began typing a feature about the volunteer effort to save this 1958 aluminum-clad beauty. It's inspiring to see those efforts paid off!

One of the wackiest homes around Tulsa is this gem. It's located just east of Sand Springs off Edison. Now that the trees are losing their leaves you can catch a glimpse of it when traveling westbound on US-412. Look to the north as you approach the 65th Street exit. The house is situated on a hill with the garage underneath. The circular drive you see in the photo leads to the front entrance– and a rustic-style door that seems quite out of place on such an avant garde structure.