Good Design, Done Right: Remembering Edward W. Saunders
American Art Deco, Featured Architects, Oklahoma Landmarks, Oklahoma Design History, Tulsa Architecture, Tulsa Art Deco Becki Watson American Art Deco, Featured Architects, Oklahoma Landmarks, Oklahoma Design History, Tulsa Architecture, Tulsa Art Deco Becki Watson

Good Design, Done Right: Remembering Edward W. Saunders

The legacy of Tulsa architect Edward W. Saunders, a quiet master of both historic revival and Art Deco design. From the Mission-style Kerr House to the Deco storefronts along Route 66, Saunders helped shape Tulsa’s environment across decades. Learn how his work bridges eras, and why many of his structures still stand strong in 2025.

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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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