This town of about 35,000 people is situated in northern Oklahoma, near the shared border with the state of Kansas and a short 47 miles from Tulsa. The area was once exclusively Indian Territory, but in 1905, Frank Phillips founded the Phillips Petroleum Company and the demographic shift began. Though there are still a few natives living in the area, today Bartlesville is home to the administrative departments of the gas company.
The core of the city is split in two by the Caney River, and there are some rather notable landmarks here that stand out as exceptional considering the size of the town. In downtown Bartlesville stands the Price Tower, designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, one of his only high rise plans to make it into 3-D. One of Wright’s students, William Wesley Peters designed the Bartlesville Community Center.
Another pleasant surprise in a town of this size is the great number of cultural events that take place throughout the year. Every June the city puts on the Ok Mozart Festival, which brings the music of Mozart to the masses in classical, jazz and opera motifs. Another summer festival held here is called Sunfest, which combines a classic car show, an aerial show at the airport and the arts and music festival in the city park.
Highlights
Price Tower: See Bartlesville’s most well known edifice, designed by none other than Frank Lloyd Wright.
Bartlesville Community Center: Aside from being of interest to architecture buffs, this venue holds many of the town’s festivities, including the Indian Summer Festival.
Bartlesville Symphony Orchestra: This vehicle for classical music performances features a wealth of local talent as well as international performers.** **