KENDALL-WHITTIER
Neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma
The Kendall-Whittier Sector Plan created by Houseal Lavigne Associates in 2016 describes the history of Whittier
Square as follows:
“Whittier Square was Tulsa’s first suburban shopping center. The land was purchased by Alvin T. Hodge in 1903
from the Creek Nation. Hodge used the land as a cattle pasture before selling it in 1906 for development. The
completion of the Tulsa Street Railway (TSR) in 1909 spurred growth in the neighborhood, connecting Whittier
Square to Downtown Tulsa. The addition of the John Greenleaf Whittier School in 1916, a post office substation
in 1926, and the East Second Street Library in 1931 helped attract residents to the growing area.
Whittier Square saw its greatest growth and activity during the 1920s through 1940s as a result of the official
designation of Route 66. A major route for transportation across the country, Route 66 traveled directly through
Whittier Square, attracting visitors, investors, and residents to the area. Automobile service stations, restaurants,
grocery stores, and various other commercial uses grew in the area to serve travelers moving through the
region. During World War II, Whittier Square was an important transit location for workers heading to the
Douglas Aircraft Company.
Post-World War II Whittier Square began to decline, as residents moved to newer areas of Tulsa. The
development of the Interstate 244 further reduced interest in Whittier Square, diverting traffic from the area and
effectively removing traffic from Route 66. The area decline through the 1970s and 1980s, but numerous efforts
during the 1990s to revitalize the district have begun to take hold. Today, the Whittier Square Historic District
includes land bounded by I-244 on the North, Lewis Avenue on the East, 1st Street on the South, and Zunis
Avenue on the west.” 1
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1 Bracy, Carl, Steve Mitchell, Julius Pegues, Roy Peters, Nancy Roberts, O C Walker, Jot Hartley, et al. “KENDALL-WHITTIER SECTOR PLAN, City of Tulsa, Tulsa Development Authority”. Houseal Lavigne Associates. November 2016.