Circling Back and Forth
It is the first Saturday evening of November as I turn left into 11th Street. I am going to the movies where I will
Jacqueline Van Fleet
Filter / Sort
Letter from Cairo
I sit with sweat pouring down my back, the windows open to the hazy Cairo sky lined with minarets aglow. An unplanned
Hannah Cooper
Coming Home
On Interstate 35 north of Guthrie, driving through evening shadows I pass a rusting, stale green Chevy bouncing
Ken Hada
Sundown on the Blue River
White sun hangs just above the falls. You look upstream at cascading water immersed in sound, frozen by its
Ken Hada
Who Reads This Land? Michael Moore!
Filmmaker and provocateur Michael Moore is pictured here (larger image here) with a copy of This Land at the 2011
This Land
Unicorns in Oklahoma
From Vol. 88, Iss. 1 of the Southwestern Historical Quarterly: In 1719, French explorer Jean-Baptiste Bénard de la
This Land
Mazeppa: The Uncanny Film Festival and Camp Meeting
Tulsa, April 1970. Oral Roberts University is a glimmering, cornflower-yellow tourist attraction, only seven years
Lindsey Neal
Bat Country
The following originally appeared in Granta 63: Beasts. It is re-printed here with full permission from the
Gordon Grice
Tom Dittus
Thanks to Tom Dittus, Riverside Drive has never been more bustling with activity--even in the winter. Long-time Tulsa
Michael Cooper
Zeppelin Tours Tulsa
Taken from the top of the Mayo of hotel, this 1929 photo depicts a 600-foot dirigible, the City of Los Angeles, as it
Steve Gerkin
Barbara Bartholic (1939-2010)
Barbara Bartholic stands out as one of our city’s most daringly eccentric individuals. In fact, she stands out in
Shawna Lewis
Issue 6 Arrives This Weekend
UPDATE: Due to the weather (see this post), our pub date has been pushed back until after the 7th. Reader, you are
This Land
Tullahassee Creek Indian Cemetery
The Tullahassee Creek Indian Cemetery is located in Sand Springs at the intersection of Charles Page Boulevard and
Lee Roy Chapman
It Snowed in Oklahoma and We Have Photos
We're not sure if you've been watching the weather reports, but a few inches of snow recently dusted Tulsa and the
This Land
Barbara Cowles (1928-2011)
“It must have been 1964 or ’65 when we met,” says longtime friend Delores Duke. We both lived on Brookside and
Shawna Lewis
What’s Dewey Doing? Salting Tulsa!
Our Mayor Dewey doll has been extremely busy lately--but recently we captured him doing the kind of work Tulsa
This Land
You Can Kiss: Larry Clark Debuts “Tulsa: 1968”
The Luhring Augustine gallery in Chelsea is, like all of the galleries around it, minimalist, white and constructed
Denver Nicks
Private Manning and the Making of WikiLeaks
The Inside Story of the Oklahoman Behind the Biggest Military Intelligence Leak Ever Editor's note: Since it was first
Denver Nicks
Letter from Chicago
It’s hell in Chicago when the wind sings a tune, But the worst thing in town is this Chicago Tribune. The Windy
Thomas Conner
“Take Me Back to Tulsa” Turns 70
Located at 504 East Archer in Tulsa, a plaque marks the intersection of Archer and Greenwood immortalized in Bob Wills'
Lee Roy Chapman
C. Rabon Martin (1944-2010)
A true Midwestern man, Rabon Martin was a wild hobbyist, a tough man of the law and a sweet admirer of his people and
Shawna Lewis
Phil and Miranda
Northern Israel, Christmas Eve, 1988. Phil Kaiser, a Tulsa expatriate and soldier in the IDF (Israel Defense Forces),
Joshua Kline
The Future of Writing is in my Jacket
The following article is excerpted from the book, The Late American Novel: Writers on the Future of Books
Michael Mason
Landscape
Pools of light illuminate the fine, faint under-painting: ghosts appear like a dirt road that ends in tall
Bill Turley
Curtis Beckwith
Curtis Beckwith is an artist, political activist, and rare record dealer. You can typically spot him on Saturday
Michael Cooper
Northside House from Larry Clark’s “Tulsa”
A similar exterior shot of this house is featured in Larry Clark's 1971 photobook Tulsa. Located in the Cherokee
Lee Roy Chapman
No Phones, No Fools, No Frets: The J.J. Behind J.J.’s Gourmet Burger Café
J.J. Conley lounges against the cushions of a private room at Lucky’s. He studies his glass of Syrah and takes a sip.
Steve Gerkin
The Rise of Owassoisms
When I discovered Owassoisms–an Owasso-based community blog with a presence on Facebook, and Twitter--I couldn’t
Lindsey Neal
The Limits of the Law: Justice Thurgood Marshall in Oklahoma
The words “law” and “justice” fit together like handmaidens. Historically and strategically,
Hannibal B. Johnson
Go Fast, Turn Left
I removed my contacts, washed off all the makeup, unbraided my hair, took off the bandages, slid the fishnets down my
Clara Nipper
Bartholic’s Boat
Tulsa artist Bob Bartholic was a visionary. One of his visions involved a boat made of concrete that he planned to sail
Lee Roy Chapman
Chad, Jim, and Hunter Rodgers
Pictured left-to-right: Chad, Jim, and Hunter Rodgers are the three men behind Cain's Ballroom. Jim, a local
Michael Cooper
Jean Davis (1932-2011)
“I thought she was the most exotic woman in the world,” Henson remembers. “She was certainly the most exotic
Shawna Lewis
A Time for Jazz
I first encountered the history of jazz in the car, on the way to school in Dallas, TX. My dad would listen to the jazz
Steven Schrag
Dreamland Theater Marker
David Crosby and Graham Nash have been scheduled to open the Woody Guthrie Festival at the Cain's Ballroom July 13 of
Lee Roy Chapman
Original Okie: Mary Beth Babcock
Mary Beth Babcock is ten pounds of Okie enthusiasm in a five-pound bag. She's the entrepreneur behind Dwelling Spaces,
Michael Cooper
A Sense of Solidarity
Lee Roy Chapman writes: The United States Penitentiary Administrative Maximum Facility (ADX) in Florence, Colorado, aka
Ted Kaczynski
Manning in the Making
In September of 2010, This Land published the first feature article about the life of Bradley Manning, the Oklahoman
Denver Nicks
The Gospel of John Lennon
In Search of Lennon's Lost Letter to Oral Roberts In the early 1970s, Oral Roberts’ evangelical TV program was at
Lindsey Neal
The Future of Paper
The avian flu morphs yet again. (Those flu viruses are so adept at evolving.) The pigs had the flu, as did the
Rivka Galchen
Red Sauce and Pulitzers: The Career of Joe Marquette
“Once I was on Air Force One,” says Joe Marquette. It’s a typical beginning to one of his many anecdotes. The
Joshua Kline
The Athens of the West, 1894
Arnel Plumbly can see it before it happens, and he moves out of the way just in time. The surrey’s wheels hit the
Allison Amend
Nearly Empty House
A path is worn smooth in the hardwood floor, heading out the front door. The window above the kitchen sink is cracked
Denis McGilvray
Okies Smile at Strangers
Part I: New York, 1996 You drop out of college and move to New York, a place you’ve only seen in movies. You
Maya Sloan
Resolution on the Irish Situation
In 1919, at the end of the First World War and two years before the devastation of the race riot at home, Tulsa city
This Land
Original Okie: “Cajun” Ed Richard
"Cajun" Ed Richard founded the world-famous Cajun restaurant/specialty meat shop Hebert's, where Louisiana natives have
Michael Cooper
Pretty Boy Floyd’s Tulsa Home
On February 11, 1932, a Tulsa Police Department armored truck pulled up to the house at 513 East Young Street in Tulsa.
Lee Roy Chapman
Oklahoma’s First New Media Company
It's official: This Land Press is now Oklahoma's first New Media company, and we've just hired a veritable dream-team
Michael Mason
Massad’s (1950-2011)
For sixty years, everyone from college girls and trophy wives to exotic dancers, cross dressers, and various breeds of
Shawna Lewis
I Have Seen Things
“I have seen dust rise until it would look like a rain cloud but would be nothing but the dust from wild horses
This Land
Filth of Any Kind
“That there is hereby created in the City of Tulsa, an office to be known as City Scavenger.” With those words,
Jack Blair
Oklahoma Babylon
The room is dark, despite the noonday sun. Thick curtains have been pulled across the windows. Several people are lined
Joel Vandiver
Tulsey Town’s Oldest Cemetery?
Once located at 2nd Street and Frisco Avenue, this cemetery was established in 1882 and contained the graves of some of
Lee Roy Chapman
Letter from Nakuru
I originally joined the Peace Corps out of college. They invited me to serve in Somalia, a country I had never heard
Jim Shanor
S.E. Hinton’s Staircase Cameo
Located on the northwest southwest corner of Greenwood and (then) Brady Street, this staircase is the spot where an
Lee Roy Chapman
Tulsa Race Riot Survey
Did you attend grade school in Oklahoma? If so, we could use your help. We're conducting an upcoming feature on how
This Land
Who’s Keeping an Eye on Dewey?
Our Mayor Dewey doll is back on the street--and this time someone's looking over his shoulder. He'd better keep that
This Land
Pork Bellies and the Future of This Land
Michael Mason has started something big. And it all began with two pork bellies. Several months ago, when This Land
Vincent LoVoi
Stephen and Esther
Esther and Stephen Hill started off as many newlyweds do, with nervousness and hope, but their plans stumbled when
Rebekah Greiman
Union Busting
The days may be numbered for Tulsa’s Union Public School system. In the wake of recent anti-union sentiment that is
Beau Adams
Mark Enger (1963-2011)
The brothers were opinionated and brutally honest. The two of them together was sometimes overwhelming. When they
Dan Riffe
Dry Oklahoma
dry Oklahoma burns from Ponca to Tulsa green tip pushes through stalk fingering down to shit and char lily hood
Grant Matthew Jenkins
Cedar Street: Tulsa’s Proudest Thoroughfare
In the early 1970s, a twenty-two year-old Lebanese immigrant trekked down the sidewalks of Sixth Street from his West
Steve Gerkin
Last Paperboys in Oklahoma Carry the News
At five am, thick bundles litter the front porch of the highway patrol, while all the newspaper boys in South Tulsa
Markham Johnson
Of Spice and Men: A Century of Ike’s
Like a newspaper, a bowl of chili is a stew of unsavory, raw, ragged elements that boil down into a somewhat
This Land
Letter from Marina Del Ray
I came to Tulsa in 1978 at the age of 22 with my brothers Steve and Rick and nothing but a suitcase. We had been in a
Tim Barraza
Ambassador Polygon
When Johnny Polygon tells me that “being from Oklahoma is like having an asshole brother,” he’s not being
Joshua Kline
Tulsa’s First Klan Burial
On the front page of the Tulsa World's Dec. 22, 1921, issue, a headline ran with the title "Robed Klansman Honor Dead
Lee Roy Chapman
Pretty Boy Floyd in Tulsa
The following is an excerpt from Michael Wallis' Pretty Boy: The Life and Times of Charles Arthur Floyd which comes out
Michael Wallis
Original Okie: Laurie Keeley
Laurie Keeley calls hers artform "yardistry." She's responsible for the eye-catching landscaping and design work you
Michael Cooper
Charlesetta Walker (1935-2011)
“A lot of black kids are not exposed to folk dancing,” son Charles Walker said. “Especially the poorer
Shawna Lewis
Poetry and the News
POETRY AND THE NEWS by Scott Gregory 1. There’s a long poem by William Carlos Williams (from late in his
Scott Gregory
The Perryman Ranch Buffalo
The Perryman Ranch located in Jenks, Oklahoma has its very own YvnvssvHetke, or white buffalo. Located on Elwood
Lee Roy Chapman
Rev. Robert Pickett (1924-2011)
“There was an issue in Alabama where dogs were released on non-violent protesters,” nephew John Dowdell explained.
Shawna Lewis
May Issue Packed with Mystery, Heroes and the Unnerving
Just when you thought This Land couldn't pack any more surprises, along comes our May 2011 issue, which is destined to
This Land
There Will Be No Philosophers: French Reactions to the Oklahoma Land Run of 1889
The following excerpts were originally published on 22 April 1889 by Le Figaro newspaper in Paris, France. “Today,
This Land
Azizeh Jazayeri Tehrani-Hadavi (1924-2011)
“There were two sides to my mother,” Pat Hadavi remembered. “She was a Muslim, and she was a
Shawna Lewis
Walking the Walk
When we walk–whenever we really walk, in an unhurried, unhassled way–we clear our heads, we get exercise, we
Scott Gregory
Done That Coming Soon!
This Land's associate editor Natasha Ball will be bringing you regular writings that take you behind the scenes of some
This Land
The Drexel Building
Located at 319 S. Main, the Drexel Building once housed the local clothiers Renberg's. This location has been etched
Lee Roy Chapman
The Awareness of Walter White
I grew up in Tulsa, but was raised knowing next to nothing about the Race Riot of 1921. Though I considered myself
Adrian Margaret Brune
Original Okie: Wess Young
Wess Young was only four years old when he survived the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot, but has clear memories of it.
Michael Cooper
Pawnee’s WPA Bath House
Located one mile north of the city of Pawnee, Oklahoma on Highway 18, this hand-cut native stone structure was built in
Lee Roy Chapman
Dana LeMoine (1960-2011)
“He loved tornadoes,” wife Lynne LeMoine remembers. “When a bad storm was coming, he would be up on the roof with
Shawna Lewis
Curriculum Counts
Despite its significance as the worst so-called race riot in American history, even some Tulsans remain oblivious to
Hannibal B. Johnson
The Man in the Box, Revealed
Editor's note: For years, this photo of a KKK funeral has circulated among several photography collections in Tulsa,
Steve Gerkin
Blindfolded by the Klan
It was an hour before dusk when we pulled into Idabel. The late summer heat yellowed the rim of the southern Oklahoma
J. Don Cook
June Issue Pulsing with Dissent and Hysterics
The June 2011 issue of This Land is indeed a machine that demands accountability. But it also delivers some of the most
This Land
Tulsa’s Segregation Zoning
Many factors have influenced settlement patterns in Tulsa, but a difficult question persists: Why is Tulsa,
This Land
Excerpts from Wild West 365
Gaudy Liar In 1856, the appearance of the action-packed Life and Adventures of James P. Beckwourth, Mountaineer,
Michael Wallis
Cultivating This Land
It’s been a longstanding Tulsa truism for artists: if you want to be successful, leave. At This Land Press, we’re
Michael Mason
Pwned! HBGary vs. Anonymous
For those of you who don't subscribe to This Land, you're missing out on one of the most intriguing stories buzzing
This Land
What Lies Beneath
In 1997, when Clyde Snow agreed to investigate claims from the Tulsa Race Riot, the forensic anthropologist was at the
Kevin O'Connor
Impressions of The Race Riot Suite
Composed by Chris Combs for the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey and Horn Quintet Chris Combs wondered if there was
Denis McGilvray
Thor Moves to Oklahoma
Mortals who decided to check out the comic book exploits of Thor after enjoying the thunder god’s adventures at the
James Vance
Jennifer Mansell (1962-2011)
They met as softball rivals but wouldn’t compete for long. “We weren’t on the same team,” Toni Hill
Shawna Lewis
Jim and Linda
The question, “Have you always been this way?” causes Jim Elmore to grin. “What, nomadic?” he asks. “My
Rebekah Greiman
Misconduct City
Tulsa’s court records are unpoliced and up for grabs. The DA’s office doesn’t feel obligated to report police
This Land
Big Time Pawn
Big Time Pawn is a family-owned pawn shop located on Route 66 at 11th and Pittsburg in
Lee Roy Chapman
Tower of Power
As you loop along a curve on Interstate 244, downtown Tulsa drifts across the windshield, floating atop the fringe of
Justin Taylor