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 Tulsa was entering its "Golden Age" as the Oil Capital of the World when brothers David and Samuel Travis constructed complementary mansions on South Peoria in 1919. The Travis brothers, who had made their fortunes as independent oil producers, hired Noble Flemming to design their residences in what was then considered far south Tulsa. Flemming executed two designs in Revival style, set at the crest of a broad lawn rising to the east from Peoria. The two homes instantly became Tulsa landmarks.
The Travis brothers left Tulsa for California in the mid-1920's. David Travis' home (the current Tulsa Garden Center) was purchased by the Hull family. Samuel Travis' residence became the home of the Charles Tibbens family. Mr. and Mrs. Tibbens executed a major remodeling of their home in 1928 and lived there until the 1950's. A succession of owners occupied the home, which remained a residential property until its sale by the Fichtenberg family in late 1997.
Despite its history of continual use as a residence, the Samuel Travis residence faced the potential of demolition, when it was purchased by a developer who planned to construct thirteen homes on the estate's 3.2 acres. Community sentiment favored the preservation of the structure and its important open lawns adjacent to the Tulsa Garden Center and the Arboretum.
With the generous support in the form of gifts, loans and matching grants from the Tulsa Tribune Foundation, the structure was purchased by the Tulsa Historical Society in December, 1997. The Society is currently in the process of adapting this landmark into its future home. The house will serve as the Society's headquarters and will provide space for a comprehensive museum on Tulsa's history with exhibits formed from the organization's permanent collections. Additionally, with the support of the Tulsa Tribune Foundation, the Society's resources will be developed into the Tulsa Tribune Center for Tulsa History. Using the advantages of modern technology, research material in the Society's collections will be made available to a wide range of interested researchers, ranging from renowned scholars to local businesses and governmental agencies to school children. Use of the Society's collections in this manner not only will maintain the name of The Tulsa Tribune in the community's memory, but as an active part of Tulsa's future.
While the mansion is in excellent condition, its approximately 11,000 square feet soon are being extensively renovated and matched with new construction to create a public space that will welcome Tulsans and visitors to the city for decades to come.
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