Thousands of people have called this neighborhood home since it was established in the early 1900s. From founding fathers of the city, to those displaced by the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, to veterans returning home after wars, to 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals seeking refuge in the 1970s and 80s, to young professionals attracted by a revitalized downtown, many different communities and stories of tragedy and triumph are connected by this special place.
In 2021, after years of discussions, residents organized to collect stories about the neighborhood’s history and ask long-time and newer residents about who we are today, and what identity we want this neighborhood to have in the future. Through public prompts, community brainstorming sessions, and online dialogues, 100+ name ideas were narrowed down to five, followed by a neighborhood-wide formal voting process.
The result was announced on September 21, 2021 – the name of the neighborhood was officially changed to The Heights, while the existing credo was reaffirmed:
A diverse community, preserving our past and promoting our future
As part of the renaming process, the following interviews were captured to memorialize some of the neighborhood’s history and voice. We hope to continue collecting old and telling new stories as The Heights evolves…
The Heights 