Tower Heights - Tulsa, OK

As Tulsa grew south, it also expanded eastward. Many parts of the neighborhood have homes built in the 1930s and 1940s as part of the Works Progress Administration efforts to provide affordable homes and jobs to soldiers returning home from World War II. Tower Heights continued growing in the 1950s and 1960s, and ultimately, it was annexed into the city of Tulsa in 1966.

Historic Route 66 bisects the neighborhood. The "Mother Road," as it was once known, provided the only through-road east and west across the United States. It began in 1857, when a Naval officer was ordered by the War Department to build a wagon trail across the 35th Parallel. He utilized camels as pack animals as he crossed the desert. The dirt road was the first section of Route 66, which was officially established in 1926. The roadway extended from Chicago to Santa Monica and covered more than 2,400 miles. Today, the portions of Route 66 that remain have been designated a National Scenic Byway. If you follow Route 66 out of the neighborhood, you can explore the country from a new perspective.

Restaurants in Tower Heights congregate along 21st Street between State Highway 169 and 145th East Avenue. The neighborhood features many popular Mexican restaurants, including Tacos Los Hermanos or El Refugio Azteca. Try Tacos Los Hermanos' carne asada served on homemade tortillas, and enjoy the grilled jalapeno on top for just the right touch of heat. Round out the meal with creamy and flavorful beans and rice. Horchata, a milky rice drink seasoned with cinnamon, cools any lingering effects on your tongue from the jalapeno.

When you're looking for a quick meal, El Refugio Azteca masters the concept. A food truck, El Refugio Azteca satisfies area residents' taste for taco variety. From cachetes (pork cheek) and lengua (beef tongue) to asada and pastor, El Refugio Azteca serves it well. The tacos pastor features pineapples cooked with the pork, providing a fruity note to the savory meat.

Ron's Hamburgers and Chili, a Tulsa tradition for more than 40 years, serves huge, juicy hamburgers with or without its signature chili. The chicken and tots, or chicken and fries, serve up perfectly seasoned, breaded, and fried bites of boneless chicken breast. The optional fried jalapeno slices spice up the meal. Ron's grilled chicken bites provide a lighter option. Juicy and well-marked from the grill, the chicken bites can come on a salad or by themselves.

For an evening shooting pool, try International Billiards or Diamond Billiards. Drop in at Tropic Caliente for dancing and karaoke. The Boom Boom Room and Torchy's Briar Patch are great places to catch up with friends.

Vehicles provide the primary mode of transportation for Tower Heights. Tulsa Transit buses travel through the business area, a short walk from the residential areas and apartment complexes. Hailing a cab may be difficult, but with the Yellow Cab app, you can create your own taxi stand. Also available with just a click on your smartphone or computer, Uber has brought the shared-ride concept to Tulsa.

Free public parking remains available throughout the neighborhood. Shopping centers also provide ample parking. The nearby intersection of State Highway 169 and Interstate 44 gives easy access to destinations in all directions.

Plaza Tract Park provides eighteen acres of wooded land housing walking and jogging trails, picnic tables, and playground equipment. Tower Park residents enjoy large backyards, and many apartment complexes provide on-site playgrounds for their tenants.

Approximately 10 miles to the northwest, Mohawk Park beckons adventurers to its massive outdoor setting for exploration. Head to Mohawk Park for a geocaching expedition on the 3,000-plus acres of land. Free parking remains available during the week, with a small fee for parking on the weekend and holidays. Trees, streams, Frisbee golf, covered picnic pavilions, and a water playground provide ample opportunities for family fun. If none of Mohawk Parks features appeal to you, it also houses the Tulsa Zoo. With 1,500 animals in residence in exhibits featuring their natural habitats, the Tulsa Zoo amazes and inspires animal lovers of all ages.

With a one-bedroom apartment available for an average rent of $470 per month, Tower Height's cost of living falls well below the Tulsa average. Travel to Downtown Tulsa with a 45-minute bus ride. A Tulsa Transit EZ Ride Pass for a single day with unlimited rides can be purchased for less than $5. Fuel prices in Tower Heights compare favorably to the national average. Gas can regularly be found 20 percent to 25 percent below it.

Shopping in Tower Heights centers along 11th Street (Route 66) and 21st Street. On old Route 66, you can find souvenir and antique shops such as the Attique. The Plaza Santa Cecilia, at the corner of 21st Street and Garnett Road, has over 30 different shops that cater to specialties relating to the neighborhood's heritage. From apparel and boots to fresh cuts of meat and baked goods, the stores in Plaza Santa Cecilia offer a terrific selection.

On the opposite corner of the intersection from Plaza Santa Cecilia, a variety of stores reside. A surprising find in the strip center, Nam-Hai Oriental Food Market sells Asian ingredients, fresh produce, and Mexican-food finds, such as taro and yucca root. A couple miles south of Tower Heights, local grocery chain Reasors provides bulk goods, hot deli items, and an olive bar.