In the mid-1920s, William Falkenberg established Crystal City Amusement Park next to Electric Park. He added an ever-growing number of rides, including a large wooden roller coaster named The Zingo. The Park became known for its Casa Loma dance hall and eventually absorbed its competitor.

As Route 66 grew in importance, the park once again became successful. Route 66 was the forerunner to the modern interstate system and connected Chicago and Los Angeles. Vacationers driving on Route 66 brought customers from across the nation to West Tulsa�s amusement park.

Crystal City enjoyed this success until February 1956 when the old bath house burned and the owners announced they would destroy the remaining abandoned buildings. Two months later, the Casa Loma dance hall burned. Lakeview Amusement Park saved some of the Crystal City rides and opened near Mohawk Zoo. In 1958, a group of investors financed construction of Crystal City Shopping Center.

Before Town West Shopping Center was constructed in the 1980's, Crystal City was the shopping center for West Tulsa. The primary businesses were a Safeway, MED-X drug store, TG&Y, OTASCO, Froug's and C.R. Anthony's. Crystal City is now primarily dollar-stores and discount stores.



CREDITS:EXCERPTS:Tulsa, Oklahoma City Library