https://www.americancityandcounty.com/wp-content/themes/acc_child/assets/images/logo/footer-logo.png
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcast
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Events
    • How to Contribute
    • Municipal Cost Index – Archive
    • Equipment Watch Page
    • American City & County Awards
  • Magazine
    • Back
    • Digital Editions
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • Advertise
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
American City and County
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcasts
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Events
    • How to Contribute
    • American City & County Awards
    • Municipal Cost Index
    • Equipment Watch Page
  • Magazine
    • Back
    • Digital Editions
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • Subscribe to GovPro
    • Manage GovPro Subscription
    • Advertise
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Stament
    • Terms of Service
  • newsletter
  • Administration
  • Economy & Finance
  • Procurement
  • Public Safety
  • Public Works & Utilities
  • Smart Cities & Technology
acc.com

Administration


But it runs like a dream

But it runs like a dream

Tulsa, Okla., has never been an ordinary city. Residents might say that its charm lies in its Southern hospitality; its wild-West, open-range setting;
  • Written by Deanna Hart
  • 1st August 2007

Tulsa, Okla., has never been an ordinary city. Residents might say that its charm lies in its Southern hospitality; its wild-West, open-range setting; or Eastern influence brought by those seeking their fortunes in the early 20th century. So, when the story resurfaced of a time capsule in the form of a buried car at 6th Street and Denver Avenue, the location of the city’s courthouse, some say that it was only fitting for a community that often thinks “outside of the box.” In June, in celebration of Oklahoma’s centennial, Tulsa unearthed its time capsule to revisit the past while preparing for the future.

Tulsa, located in the northeastern part of the state, began as the destination of the Trail of Tears and the home of a large oil pool that attracted Easterners in search of wealth. “The Tulsa spirit, in my mind, is a great, entrepreneurial, ‘Let’s go for it’ kind of spirit,” says Sharon King Davis, chair of Tulsa’s centennial events. “We are very competitive in what we want to do, and I think that is [reflected in] this time capsule that we buried in 1957.”

On June 15, 1957, Tulsa residents filled the streets to view the burial of a gold and white Plymouth Belvedere, the city’s unique time capsule. Chosen for its numerous state-of-the-art features, including a push-button transmission and large tailfins, the car was the center of Tulsa’s Golden Jubilee Week, a 10-day event to celebrate Oklahoma’s 50th anniversary. Chrysler donated the car to gain publicity for the newly redesigned automobile.

Maps, aerial photographs and a prayer that blessed the city for the upcoming 50 years were included in the time capsule. Flags, statements from the current and former mayors, the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Education also were placed in the car. A woman donated items from her purse, including bobby pins, cigarettes and an unpaid parking ticket, to store in the glove compartment. In case they did not exist in the future, oil and gasoline also were added.

Residents also guessed what the population of Tulsa would be in 2007 — which currently stands at 382,457 — and placed their bids in a steel container that was lowered into the ground with the Belvedere. The person who came closest to the correct population would win “Miss Belvedere” during the 2007 unearthing. “We don’t just put some letters in a time capsule and put it in the ground,” Davis says. “We go for it around here in Tulsa.”

On June 15, 2007, nearly 20,000 people witnessed “Miss Belvedere” emerge from the ground, shrouded in a soiled white cloth. Noticeable gasps were heard from the 7,100 residents that viewed the unveiling at the city’s convention center as they saw that the gold and white finish of the once-cutting-edge vehicle had been eaten away, leaving behind only rust. The event, billed as “Tulsarama,” was broadcast on a local news station, capturing nearly 45 percent of the viewing audience.

With a guess of 384,743, R.E. Humberton, a Virginia resident, was declared the winner of the Belvedere. However, organizers learned that the Maryland-born Humberton is deceased. The fate of the car, which has been estimated to be worth $100,000 or more, is now unknown.

Davis says that since the unveiling, news of “Miss Belvedere” has reached countries around the world, including Australia, Norway, Canada and across Europe. “I hope it doesn’t just showcase us just as a place of a rusty, old car,” Davis says. “I hope [the event] showcases Tulsa as [a city] that had visionaries in 1957 and visionaries for the future; that we are a wonderful, exciting city [and] that we do things [differently].”

Tags: Administration

Related


  • Minneapolis cuts millions from police budget
    The Minneapolis City Council approved a budget that will move $8 million in police department funding to mental health and violence prevention programs. The plan was unanimously approved on Dec. 10, according to The Washington Post. “Thanks and congratulations to everyone who advocated for these important investments to make our city safer and more just,” […]
  • Cleveland launches program to create circular rconomy
    The City of Cleveland and Cleveland Neighborhood Progress announced the launch of Circular Cleveland, a two-year initiative to develop and implement circular economy strategies and programs in Cleveland. Inspired by similar models in cities around the world, the circular economy is a comprehensive approach to provide community-wide benefits by designing waste and pollution out of our economic system, keeping […]
  • Will digital transformation of city procurement hold up beyond the pandemic?
    Now is the time for procurement to re-evaluate the free or co-opted tools that enabled service delivery when the pandemic first began and invest in the digital tools that will help streamline RFP evaluation, foster stakeholder collaboration, and maintain compliance during the pandemic and beyond
  • Colorado county’s value-based health care strategy produces savings
    Orienting Larimer County, Colo.'s benefits toward value-based care has had a positive impact on the county’s health care costs and the quality of care its members receive.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your American City and County account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • BhamStrong delivers long-term solutions in uncertain times
  • How the City of Fullerton navigated adding candidates to ballots remotely
  • The trouble with overtime
  • How Philadelphia is aiming for zero waste

White papers


How a unified HR system helps one public safety organization manage crews, payroll, and more in a single platform

7th January 2021

Your Roadmap to COVID-19 Funding

18th December 2020

The One Where Everyone Wins: A Mutually Beneficial Contracting Method

10th December 2020
view all

Events


PODCAST


Young Leaders Episode 4 – Cyril Jefferson – City Councilman, High Point, North Carolina

13th October 2020

Young Leaders Episode 3 – Shannon Hardin – City Council President, Columbus, Ohio

27th July 2020

Young Leaders Episode 2 – Christian Williams – Development Services Planner, Goodyear, Ariz.

1st July 2020
view all

Twitter


AmerCityCounty

The latest episode The Young Leaders Podcast focuses on Cyril Jefferson. Cyril is the youngest African American to… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

27th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

Hillsboro, Oregon is pioneering a new #renewableenergy generation technology through a partnership with… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

27th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

The impact of the #COVID19 pandemic on #telework was swift and profound. Now, the big question is whether – and to… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

26th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

Get ready for the can't-miss webinar on how to kickstart your efficiency improvement plan with Luke Anderson of… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

26th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

Among all states headed into the 2020 general election, which ones have voting populations that are the most demogr… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

26th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts in our readership survey to help us shape future content so that we c… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

23rd October 2020
AmerCityCounty

See how cities different approaches to distribute masks in their communities >> spr.ly/6010GAPLa

23rd October 2020
AmerCityCounty

While #facialrecognition is a powerful tool that can improve law enforcement efficiency, that doesn’t necessarily t… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

23rd October 2020

Newsletters

Sign up for American City & County’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about local governments.

Resale Insights Dashboard

The Resale Insights Dashboard provides model-level data for the entire used equipment market to help you save time and money.

Municipal Cost Index

Updated monthly since 1978, our exclusive Municipal Cost Index shows the effects of inflation on the cost of providing municipal services

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital audience? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • IWCE’s Urgent Communications
  • IWCE Expo

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

FOLLOW American City and County ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2021 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X