Archive Record
Images
Additional Images [1]
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2005.021.001 |
Collection |
Oral History |
Narrator's Name |
LaFortune, Robert James |
Object Name |
Recording |
Date |
01/20/2005 |
Digital Link |
Click here to listen to recording. |
Scope & Content |
Recording of an oral history interview featuring former Tulsa Mayor Robert James LaFortune conducted at the Tulsa Historical Society & Museum by museum volunteer Chuck Ayers on January 20, 2005. The audio track is 39:11 in length. Robert J. LaFortune, mayor from 1970-1978, narrates his storied career in local politics. As a mayor, LaFortune oversaw the opening of the Port of Catoosa and the construction of many downtown buildings like the Williams Center and the Performing Arts Center. As street commissioner from 1964-1970, LaFortune oversaw the building of Tulsa's expressway system. LaFortune also discusses Tulsa's flood planning, different forms of city government, and the park in south Tulsa that bears his last name that his father developed. 00:00 LaFortune's time as mayor from 1970-1978, decline of Tulsa as Oil Capital of the World, development of the Port of Catoosa and the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Performing Arts Center Trust 14:45 Why LaFortune got into politics, time on the Street Commission 19:15 LaFortune's memories of Tulsa from the 1940s & movie theaters 23:30 LaFortune's involvement in the development of Tulsa's infrastructure-- Broken Arrow Expressway, Crosstown Expressway, Airport Authority, Tulsa City-County Library, and the importance of a county-level planning commission 28:00 Commission (former) vs. Committee (current) form of government, LaFortune's involvement in the Indian Nation Council of Governments "INCOG" 31:00 His father's development of LaFortune Park, flooding in the city |
Search Terms |
Arkansas River bonds Broken Arrow Expressway Crosstown Expressway flood control floods Gilcrease Mansion Indian Nations Council of Governments LaFortune Park mayors McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System oral history interviews politicians Port of Catoosa Republicans Tulsa Airport Authority Tulsa City-County Library Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa Street Commissioner |
People |
Chapman, Leta McFarlin LaFortune, Joseph Aloysius LaFortune, Robert James Langenheim, Ralph L. Williams, John Horter |