
1 minute read
BOOMING BUSINESS
STORY AND COMPOSITE IMAGE BY PATRICK MCNICHOLAS
The oil boom that occurred throughout Oklahoma during the early 1900s brought many people to the area with the idea of striking it rich. Many boomtowns were partially developed in a matter of months but lacked adequate infrastructure and resources for the inhabitants.
Ponca City, like Tulsa and many other cities during this time, was known for its oil interests and those who found success in the boom. In 1918, oilman E.W. Marland started Ponca City Building and Loan in Kay County, with the primary goal to nance home ownership.
e institution grew rapidly and was renamed Ponca City Savings and Loan. By 1934, there were a total of three branches outside of Ponca City (Enid, Oklahoma City and Tulsa). e Tulsa branch o ce was located on Fourth Street before realizing the possibilities of a new location at 633 S. Boston Ave. e building o cially opened to the public in January 1957 and continued as Ponca City Savings and Loan until the late 1970s.
Construction of the new location began in April 1956. Tulsa architect Robert E. Buchner designed the building in the mid-century modern style with unique architectural features, like a layer of Virginia greenstone on the exterior and etched aluminum and terrazzo oors inside.
A historic renovation of the building began in 2014. Since 2019, the building has been home to the Tulsa Foundation of Architecture. It also houses the American Institute of Architects Eastern Oklahoma chapter. TP




