The Pythian: Built for the Boom, Abandoned by the Bust
Downtown Tulsa History, Historic Architecture, Art Deco in Oklahoma, Unfinished Projects, Downtown Tulsa Landmarks Becki Watson Downtown Tulsa History, Historic Architecture, Art Deco in Oklahoma, Unfinished Projects, Downtown Tulsa Landmarks Becki Watson

The Pythian: Built for the Boom, Abandoned by the Bust

Planned as a 13-story Art Deco tower in the heart of Tulsa, the Gillette-Tyrell Building was halted at just three floors when the 1929 stock market crash brought construction to a standstill. Designed by architect Edward W. Saunders, this unfinished landmark, now known as the Pythian Building, remains a striking reminder of Tulsa’s oil-era ambition and architectural innovation.

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Bridging Eras: Tulsa’s Southwestern Bell Main Dial Building and the Architecture of Modern Communication
Architecture & Design, Historic Preservation, Tulsa History, Telecommunications History, Art Deco in Oklahoma, Art Deco Preservation Becki Watson Architecture & Design, Historic Preservation, Tulsa History, Telecommunications History, Art Deco in Oklahoma, Art Deco Preservation Becki Watson

Bridging Eras: Tulsa’s Southwestern Bell Main Dial Building and the Architecture of Modern Communication

Historic 1924 Southwestern Bell Main Dial Building in Tulsa, OK—Florentine Revival base with 1930 Art Deco addition marking telecom modernization.

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