Route 66 Excitement
On November 22-23 downtown Tulsa was transformed in many ways for the annual Route 66 Marathon. The marathon is accompanied by a variety of events that brought runners from all over the Tulsa area and much further.
Extra security abounded and many businesses had to close due to closed roads. Businesses that were able to and chose to stay open like the cafe Chimera were rewarded with plenty of business from the crowd.
There is much well deserved excitement near the finish line. Most participants train extensively for months beforehand with official training groups meeting as early as July.
Brady Theater's Ghostly History
by Liz Lord
Extra security abounded and many businesses had to close due to closed roads. Businesses that were able to and chose to stay open like the cafe Chimera were rewarded with plenty of business from the crowd.
There is much well deserved excitement near the finish line. Most participants train extensively for months beforehand with official training groups meeting as early as July.
Some more seasoned runners may take a more relaxed approach to training. “I didn't really follow much of a plan. I read stuff on the internet and ran training runs with runners world a few times,” said Audrey Meshek, a participant in previous years.
Many experienced marathon runners still take preparation very seriously. Third time half marathon runner Cecilia Whitehurst has a fairly thorough training regimen. “I try to run four times a week. During the week I run three to five miles, and on Saturdays I do distance runs, starting with four to six miles at the beginning of the training session and ending with 10-12 miles,” said Whitehurst.
The intensity of the marathon is offset by the less physically demanding events and fun activities for the runners. There is an official finish line party with live music to celebrate the accomplished athletes.
Many experienced marathon runners still take preparation very seriously. Third time half marathon runner Cecilia Whitehurst has a fairly thorough training regimen. “I try to run four times a week. During the week I run three to five miles, and on Saturdays I do distance runs, starting with four to six miles at the beginning of the training session and ending with 10-12 miles,” said Whitehurst.
The intensity of the marathon is offset by the less physically demanding events and fun activities for the runners. There is an official finish line party with live music to celebrate the accomplished athletes.
This year I joined in on the fun by pouring and passing out beer to weary marathon runners on the Center of The Universe Detour. On the detour runners can win a commemorative coin for running an additional 0.03 miles. The detour is marked by costumed volunteers cheering on runners, a DJ booth, and free beer for marathoners 21 and up. The excitement is meant to encourage runners close to the final mile mark. Many people who have completed the marathon or half marathon will stop by the detour to also cheer on their fellow runners.
"We blared music, handed out beer, ran with the runners and wore crazy costumes. It's like cry baby hill on a smaller scale," said Meshek about volunteering last year. Cry baby hill refers to the large block party that gathers on the toughest part of the final Tulsa Tough bicycle race every June. From what I witnessed of the spirit of the the staff and volunteers, Meshek is correct about the nature of the event. I believe the Route 66 Marathon Center of the Universe Detour may soon be just as large of a celebration of what makes Tulsa worth visiting even if it doesn't roll off the tongue as easily as cry baby hill.
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| This picture has been edited for privacy |
[Photos courtesy of Liz Lord]
Brady Theater's Ghostly History
by James Reza
As you meander up and down the streets of the recently revamped Brady District in downtown Tulsa, you may be unaware of the eerie legends and unexpectedly dark history surrounding the district’s own historic Brady Theater.
Hulking in stature (especially for a freestanding building in the Brady District), but scarcely ornamented and humbly illuminated, the Brady Theater can easily be passed by without being given a second thought. Be that as it may, there is more texture in the building’s past than meets the eye.
First the facts: Construction on the Theater finished in 1914, and was then known as Tulsa Convention Hall. It was used as an assembly facility for all sorts of public events. Until 1952, it was known as the largest hall between Kansas City and Houston. Remodeled in 1930 and then again in 1952, the “Old Lady on the Brady,” as it’s known locally, is still regularly used, chiefly as a concert venue.
In 1921, during Tulsa’s infamous race riots, the building was appropriated for some surprisingly dark purposes. Due to the sudden and widespread violence of the riots, there was a considerable need for a spacious “morgue,” a need met by the Brady. Bodies of deceased rioters were taken to this makeshift morgue to await identification from family members. There are also images of African American men being led at gunpoint to the theater for detention. Some reports even mention that men were tortured and executed there.
Most of the claims made about the theater's gruesome role during the race riots can be historically confirmed. However, the ghost that is said to haunt the theater has nothing to do with the riots, and instead originates from a legend about a famous Opera singer of the early 20th Century.
Enrico Caruso, while on tour of North America, performed at the Brady Theater in 1920. Nine months later, he died of pleurisy, which is an inflammation of the lining of the lungs. Though historical and family records show a number of possible causes for Caruso’s pleurisy, Tulsa locals have a story of their own.
According to the legend, during Caruso’s stay in Tulsa, the car he was riding in broke down over a mile away from the Brady. Having no other way to be transported, Caruso was forced to walk the rest of the way, on what is generally believed to have been a chilly, rainy evening. He is said to have caught a severe cold shortly after, and the resulting violent fits of coughing are what eventually led to his death.
It is now believed that Caruso’s ghost haunts the Brady in retribution for ending his career and ultimately his life. It’s said that he occasionally sabotages performances, causes inexplicable technical difficulties, and sometimes even makes audible noises within the corridors of the Brady.
While I cannot confirm that any of these claims are true, I would highly recommend attending a concert at the Brady. During the opening act, take a stroll through the hallways in the balcony sections, which are usually nearly empty, even on sold-out show nights. Wander as far as you can, taking in the vintage architecture and the old photos, and decide for yourself if you feel like the ghost of an opera singer is wandering with you.
Gypsy Oil Company was established in 1909, but the building became home to Gypsy coffee house in 2000. Many who have worked at the coffee house claim to have experienced events suggesting its previous workers of Gypsy Oil are visiting from beyond the grave.
Spooky Coffee
by Liz Lord
October 29, 2014
Gypsy Oil Company was established in 1909, but the building became home to Gypsy coffee house in 2000. Many who have worked at the coffee house claim to have experienced events suggesting its previous workers of Gypsy Oil are visiting from beyond the grave.
Mish, who prefers to go by only her first name, was one of the first employees in 2000, and can attest to her and fellow employees being startled by strange occurrences. Her most shocking first hand experience was when every box of tea fell off of a perfectly sturdy shelf immediately after she had finished carefully arranging them.
One of the most unpleasant instances she recalls happened to one of her coworkers who up to that point did not believe anything unusual was occurring. Mish described how the barista was closing alone one night and called her distraught, refusing to go back into the empty coffee shop because he could hear someone screaming inside.
One of the most unpleasant instances she recalls happened to one of her coworkers who up to that point did not believe anything unusual was occurring. Mish described how the barista was closing alone one night and called her distraught, refusing to go back into the empty coffee shop because he could hear someone screaming inside.
I worked there myself a few years ago and remember a spooky atmosphere when I was opening and closing alone as well as coworkers reporting unsettling experiences. I remember many instances of thinking I heard customers in the back area only to rush out of the kitchen to serve them and find the place empty. Many other times I remember thinking I'd seen people in my peripheral vision only to turn from and find nobody there.
A regular of mine once rushed through the empty dining area to make sure I was alright after thinking he had heard me screaming as I quietly swept up the back patio.
A coworker of mine who previously thought the rumors of haunting were a silly story claimed to have encountered a terrifying little girl who demanded a cookie, threw a tantrum, then disappeared.
A regular of mine once rushed through the empty dining area to make sure I was alright after thinking he had heard me screaming as I quietly swept up the back patio.
A coworker of mine who previously thought the rumors of haunting were a silly story claimed to have encountered a terrifying little girl who demanded a cookie, threw a tantrum, then disappeared.
All these stories could perhaps be the effect of too much caffeine. Buildings built in the early 1900s like The Gypsy are naturally prone to strange sounds and shadows can always play tricks on an active imagination. However, for those who believe in the supernatural or just like a good ghost story, The Gypsy is the perfect place to grab a coffee between Halloween parties.
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