Bartlesville, the city of legends, boasts a proud, rich history and an enduring, promising future. Named after Jacob Bartles and incorporated in 1897, the town that began with a gristmill on the Caney River has grown into a bustling city that maintains hometown charm while carrying world class appeal.
Jacob Bartles bought the gristmill in 1875 from Nelson F. Carr, one of the first white settlers in Indian Territory. Along with the mill, Bartles established a trading post, luring settlers to the area. When a general store was opened on the opposite side of the Caney River in 1884, by William Johnstone and George Keeler, the settlement that is now Bartlesville began to grow quickly. The population at the time of incorporation was about 500 people.
The discovery of oil in 1897 and the completion of the first railroad in 1899 were the two greatest factors in the historical development of Bartlesville. By 1907, just ten years after incorporation, the population had increased to 4,215, and Governor Haskell declared Bartlesville a city of the first class. The Caney River continued to provide a major source of recreation while industries, schools, hotels, the first hospital and the first theater added to the richness of community life.
By the early 1920s, Bartlesville was home to a country club, a public library, an American Legion baseball team and the first junior high school in the state. The newly incorporated Phillips Petroleum Company and an electric welding shop, the H.C. Price Company, also made Bartlesville their headquarters. The population had swelled to over 14,400 and some of the major proponents in its growth and development were just beginning to evolve.
Steady and conservative growth continued and by 1950, the City of Bartlesville included 19,228 persons. The chief industries remained gas and oil production, manufacturing of oil-field equipment, smelting and general manufacturing. The area was home to 35 oil companies and manufacturing establishments employing 7000 workers and the retail trade area stretched to encompass a 25-mile radius and an estimated population of 67,370.
The 1950s led to the continued advancement of Phillips Petroleum Company as their scientists invented polyethylene in 1951. It would become one of the most widely used plastics in the world. 1954 saw the development of the company€™s first all-season motor oil. Phillips Petroleum was not the only advancing company. In 1955, the Price Tower, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and housing the H.C. Price Company, was completed. To this day it remains one of Bartlesville€™s premier attractions.
Strong educational opportunities were a must for Bartlesville citizens. The Senior High School and Junior College was dedicated in 1940. In 1966 Bartlesville opened another center for secondary education, Sooner High School, and Tri-County Technical School began holding classes in 1968.
Commercial and residential development continued and by 1970, Washington County boasted the highest per capita personal income of all 77 counties in Oklahoma.
Bartlesville reached its peak population of 34,568 persons in 1980. As oil and gas prices plummeted and commercial development slowed, the city has shown its resiliency. Even as major corporations have moved out of Bartlesville, the city has continued to delight citizens and visitors alike with its world class events, highly acclaimed attractions and prominent architecture.
Current image from the Price Tower.
