New Book Highlights Historic Part Of Downtown Tulsa

A new book that tells the story of one of Tulsa’s most historic areas is coming out just in time for Christmas.

The book, 4th and Boston, Heart of the Magic Empire, and tells how the significant part of downtown Tulsa came to be.

"What we really wanted to do was highlight the character of the individuals who actually built these buildings, and tell their story," John Bumgarner said.

The book is Bumgarner’s brainchild. He owns the three principal buildings at 4th and Boston, and, over the next three years, those buildings will celebrate their centennial.

He commissioned the book as a gift to the tenants but convinced Doug Miller - who published the book and authored most of it - to make it available to everyone.

Miller said, "It was about the rugged individuals who had the courage, and who had the risk tolerance. You couldn't do anything here without tremendous courage."

Three buildings - 320 South Boston, The Kennedy Building, and the Mid-Continent Tower - are monuments to that courage.

The story of how the quiet hilltop above the railroad became the site of the Presbyterian Mission School, Tulsa's first school, and later became the Heart of our "oil Capital economy” is the story of how Tulsa became Tulsa.

You can get your hands on the book at a book signing Thursday evening in the lobby of 320 South Boston from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m.

There will be live music, vintage cars, food and drink, and books so you can get a signed copy.