On August 28, 1936, the Tulsa Board of Education purchased nearly 27 acres for the site of Will Rogers High School. Construction began October 11, 1937 and was completed June 30, 1939. The school doors opened on Sept. 11 to 1,501 students, 50 years after the year of Will Rogers’ birth. An eight classroom addition opened on September 6, 1948. The total cost for both the original building and the 1948 addition was $1,708,684.51. A separate building was later added southeast of the original.
The building was designed by Leon B. Senter and Joseph R. Koberling, Jr. The elaborate buff brick school features two large towers at the front corners of a large main block of classrooms. The towers are supported by stepped pilasters with ornate details in terracotta capitals. Panels above the double doors feature Will Rogers’ life in two phases. One depicts his cowboy days with a horse, roped steer, and the prairie, and the other his movie days with a reel camera, airplane, and polo rider.
The main hall of the school gives the impression of a fine office building with terracotta sheathed walls and terrazzo floors. Materials include 9,892 pieces of terracotta in the main corridor alone. Large arches at the doorways add to the sense of spaciousness. Ornamental plaster work borders the ceiling. Decorating the two main hallways are 50 giant sepia-toned prints depicting the seven phases of Rogers’ life from his early boyhood through his motion picture career to his role as radio celebrity and ambassador of international good will.
The balconied auditorium seats 1,500. The elaborate stage is curved and fluted with brass onsets of a fan and a floral motif in terracotta red, brass, gold leaf, and tan. Brass lights and false balconies add to the theatrical atmosphere. The plaster ceiling is ornate, decorated with painted, cast plaster beams. Dominating the west wall of the auditorium is a mural featuring figures of pioneers and American Indians, and a John Greenleaf Whittier verse about westward expansion.
As the result of an effort initiated by Betty Brown Trinka, class of ’55, a director of the Community Foundation, Will Rogers High School was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 9, 2007.
Links
Meet Architect Joseph Koberling, aired on KOTV-6 Oct. 3, 1988
Tour Program, Aired on KTUL-TV-8 Jan. 12, 2009 (Clippings)
"Ride On Ye Ropers!" School Song
Ride On Ye Ropers,
Ride On To Your Fame.
There’s No Foe Can Daunt You
For You Bear Will Rogers’ Name.
Rah Rah Rah
Rope ‘Em And Brand ‘Em.
Lead Them To Corral,
Round Up Those Wanderin’ Doggies.Central’s Grazin’ In Hostile Locale!