Tulsa History Tour with Oil Baron's Tunnel: Explore underground passages

Underground passages and a forgotten oilman's private tunnel

A guided history tour of Tulsa's oil boom era buildings that moves mostly indoors through public pedestrian corridors and culminates in entering one oil baron's personal tunnel. The 1.5-hour tour covers a block-wide bank built in stages as Tulsa's oil fortunes grew, an office building with a lifelike statue, the city's first skyscraper, an early life insurance company, and the Neo-Gothic lobby of oilman Waite Phillips before descending into his tunnel. A live English-speaking guide leads the route; children are welcome from age 10.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Tulsa's oil boom history

• Explore block-wide bank inside and outside
• See marbled lobby and businessman statue
• Learn about Tulsa's first skyscraper
• Learn about Tulsa's first life insurance company
• Hear Waite Phillips story and enter tunnel

The Experience

The tour starts outside a bank that grew in multiple stages during the 1920s as Tulsa's oil wealth expanded, and you'll see how its vaults expanded with it. Inside, the architecture tells the story of boom-era ambition—though photography is not allowed in this building. You move through connected corridors to an office building with a marbled lobby and a quirky lifelike statue of a businessman, then to Tulsa's first skyscraper, built by a colorful oil baron most people have forgotten.

The route stays mostly indoors, which means you're walking through climate-controlled passages between buildings rather than navigating street-level blocks. You'll sit and learn about Tulsa's first life insurance company, then hear the story of oilman Waite Phillips while standing in his Neo-Gothic lobby. The tunnel—his personal passageway that you won't find on your own—is where the tour ends, and access fees to the property owners are included in the price.

What’s included

Live English-speaking guide; access to the oil baron's tunnel with fees paid to property owners

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Tulsa Tours

Is this one for you?The tour is led in English by a live guide, so you'll hear the stories and context as you move through each building—this works well for anyone comfortable standing and walking indoors for 90 minutes. The mostly indoor route and seated moments make it manageable for those who prefer not to be outside in weather, though the tour is not wheelchair accessible and requires at least moderate fitness.

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Top questions

What is the oil baron's tunnel and why is it part of this tour?

Waite Phillips, a prominent oilman, built a private tunnel beneath his Neo-Gothic office building as a personal passageway. The tour culminates by entering this tunnel, which is not accessible to the public on their own and represents a piece of Tulsa's oil boom history most visitors never see.

How much walking and standing is involved in the 1.5-hour tour?

The tour is mostly indoors through pedestrian corridors connecting landmark buildings, so you're not walking long outdoor stretches. You'll stand for the full 1.5 hours and move between stops, with one seated segment when learning about the life insurance company.

Can I take photos inside the buildings on this tour?

Photography is not allowed inside the bank building. Other stops on the tour may permit photos, but check with your guide about specific restrictions at each location.

What is the bank building and why does it matter to Tulsa's history?

The bank is a block-wide structure that was built in multiple stages during the 1920s, expanding its vaults as Tulsa's oil fortunes grew. It's a physical record of how quickly the city's wealth accumulated during the oil boom.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Children are welcome from age 10. The tour requires standing for 1.5 hours and navigating indoor passages, so younger children may find the length and pace challenging.