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Tulsa 1923 summer fun

What did Tulsans do 100 years ago to escape the summer heat? Some answers can be found in a little clipping I saved during some research on Tulsa's streetcars and electric interurban railroads.

Posted by Michael Bates on November 19, 2023 11:00 PM

Crystal City Amusement Park

Crystal City Amusement Park was on Route 66 (Sapulpa Road, now Southwest Blvd) between 41st Street and 33rd West Avenue. The site is now occupied by the Crystal City Shopping Center (whose name was the nemesis of radio announcers). Crystal City was home to a roller coaster named Zingo,...

Posted by Michael Bates on March 5, 2018 12:10 PM

Bell's is back: Robby Bell outlines park's rebirth

The Bell family began building small kiddie rides in a garage at 8th and Lewis in 1951, gradually building a legendary amusement park on the west end of the Tulsa County Fairgrounds. The fun came to an end in 2006, when the Tulsa County Public Facilities Authority (the Fair Board)...

Posted by Michael Bates on August 3, 2013 8:42 PM

Bell's coming back -- a little at a time

This is encouraging news: In a few weeks, as soon as PSO puts the necessary electrical hookups in place, the Bell family of Bell's Amusement Park will be operating a few of their kiddie rides at the Saturday Flea Market in west Tulsa. The rides will be open on Saturdays...

Posted by Michael Bates on September 25, 2011 11:44 PM

Zingo on the auction block

Zingo is for sale. The Bell's Amusement Park roller coaster that thrilled generations of Tulsans is being auctioned off on eBay by Better Price Surplus Warehouse for $400,000 or best offer. Roller Coaster for Sale. Engineered and manufactured by Philadelphia Toboggan Co. Erected in 1968 and dismantled in 2006. The...

Posted by Michael Bates on January 10, 2011 10:28 PM

Wagoner County Commission's second thoughts

When you've been away from blogging for almost a week, it's hard to know where to begin again. We returned Thursday night from a week-long family vacation in Branson. We spent several days at Silver Dollar City, visited Branson Landing one night, went to the Butterfly Palace, and swam in...

Posted by Michael Bates on June 5, 2010 10:12 PM