Undoubtably, most of us moved to Maple Ridge, in part due to the magnificent architecture and character of the homes in the neighborhood. Clearly, the unique architectural styles utilized throughout the area are as diverse as the people who originally built them. But I’d argue that the people who have been drawn to them over the years to continue as caretakers are equally fascinating. In this planned series of articles, I’d love to tell YOUR story. Many of you have done research via your abstract (if you haven’t send me an email and I can give you some advice on how to research more about your home) or other means. For some of you, they may have been family homes with generations of pictures. Please consider sharing your story and that of your home so we can all feel a bit more connected and aware of the rich history that surrounds us.

Maple Ridge neighborhood started on the north side of 21st Street (Preservation District) and began as early as 1905. The Southside addition was platted in 1907 (that was “Southside of Tulsa” at that time!). Not everyone thought this was a brilliant idea but the fact is that homes were becoming difficult to acquire north and west of downtown made it a necessity. In fact, the architect and builder, John Blair (builder of the Skelly Mansion, among others) famously said that “No woman of any social importance would live outside the railroad tracks”. Oil and banking magnates, Grant McCollough, W.G. Skelly, Harry Tyrell, Alfred and Lionel Aaronson, J.J. McGraw, R. Otis McClintock, J. Paul Getty and Waite Phillips were all residents. 

The Maple Ridge Historic Residential District is significant because the development of the Maple Ridge area paralleled the growth of the banking and oil industries in Tulsa in the early 20th century. The men and women who made their wealth in the Glenn Pool Oil Strike of 1905, and later the Cushing strike of 1912, were the people who built their homes in Maple Ridge. Once referred to as “Black Gold Row”, Maple Ridge’s homes have been well-maintained and are highly sought after today. The Maple Ridge Homeowners Association has been active since 1964. Maple Ridge was the first Tulsa neighborhood to be listed in the Oklahoma Landmarks Inventory. It was placed on the National Register on April 6, 1983, under National Register Criteria A and C. Its NRIS number is 83002138.

If every home has a person behind the story, then that person for our neighborhood has to be John Brooks Walton. Much of the history that I have been able to discover about Maple Ridge is partly in thanks to this local icon. He was trained in contemporary design (though he preferred traditional architecture), and was mentored by the legendary architect, John Duncan Forstyth and became enamored with the storybook cottages of Charles Stevens Dilbeck. After his military service, Walton found himself unable to afford real estate in the hip new Lortondale area so they bought an old fixer upper at 1217 Hazel Blvd and began their restoration. Back then, no one wanted to live in the area because “they were just big, old houses that nobody wanted”, according to his college sweetheart and bride, Margaret “Mag” Stanley. These homes had no air conditioning and the children would have to sleep on the house’s sleeping porches during the hot Tulsa summers. 

Soon, Walton’s reputation grew and he found himself buying and restoring these old homes of Maple Ridge. Sometimes, he’d even buy all the contents of the homes! Today, many long-time Tulsans can tell their stories of how John Brooks Walton impacted their homes or lives. Thankfully for us (and used as a resource for much of this article), in his 70s he started writing his 14 books about Tulsa-area homes, architecture and art which came about from his “Historic Homes” column that ran in Tulsa People Magazine starting in 1993. They are all fantastic and are highly recommended. 

I would love to tell the story of your home. Do you have historical knowledge of previous residents? Maybe old family photos? Please shoot me an email and let’s discuss! Also, please join us at our monthly meetings (typically held the last Monday of each month at 6PM at All Souls Unitarian Church). Small or large, every volunteer’s role is appreciated and helps make our neighborhood even more connected. In the meantime, if you have questions or want to share your story or get involved, please email: contactus@mapleridgeneighborhood.com