Bixby Living 2020_PRINT_NEW (1)

BIXBY
HISTORY
Bixby has a rich history full
of growth and progress.
a town located in the Creek
Nation Indian Territory.
1899
1904
Bixby was split into
two towns by the
Midlan Valley Railroad.
The history of Bixby is like many other cities –
agriculture was the major industry and the lure of
the region with its lush river bottom land. It was a
contest between the settlers and Mother Nature
(floods, droughts, hail, wind, rain, tornadoes). Oil
and gas also played a part of Bixby’s story, along
with ongoing issues with bridges and crossing the
Arkansas River.
with everything centrally located within one
square mile. Residents traveled to Tulsa for special
occasions but as Tulsa grew closer, the easy
access to automobiles and spread of Tulsa
shopping areas sent consumer dollars to the north.
Bixby could either grow to meet these demands
or plateau…so it adapted, and grew. And grew.
And grew. Our past shows us that our city will
continue to grow and accommodate our
expanding residential population with new
entertainment, shopping, and services.
Bixby incorporated to
become an independent
self-governing town.
A 1,000 barrel-a-day oil well
is drilled south of town; the
resulting oil boom boosted
the economy for many years.
Bixby becomes a major
shipping center for produce
by railroad and is deemed
“The Garden Spot of Oklahoma.”
1906
1913
1941
1911
1921
1947
the Arkansas River, then the
longest bridge west of the
Mississippi River.
The Albert Pike Highway
(now US Highway 64) is laid
between Muskogee and Tulsa.
After World War II,
the Bixby Chamber of
Commerce is established
by local business leaders.
BIXBY LIVING 11