Home to an L-shaped stretch of legendary Route 66, Sapulpa has been affectionately dubbed the "Crossroads of America." The world’s tallest gas pump rises against the skyline, a crimson sculpture that captures the spirit and perpetual motion of the Oklahoma town. A suburb 15 miles southwest of Tulsa, the small city of 22,000 flourishes with its own personality. “When I was a kid, Sapulpa was hopping,” says Will Berry, president of locally operated DC Bass Construction. “But it ebbs and flows as generations come and go. Now we’re starting to revive again.” Like many Oklahoma towns seeded from larger cities, Sapulpa began as a railroad outpost, taking its name from a tribe member of the Muscogee nation who established a trading post in the area around 1850. Walnut farming and brick manufacturing put the town on the industrial map, and its current status as the “Heart of Historic Route 66” makes it a thriving yet low-key tourist destination. In fact, the monolithic gas pump is parked at the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum, where car enthusiasts can inspect rare antiques. “We’re never going to outdo Tulsa, but we don’t want to,” Berry says. “We want to provide something cool and unique, something Tulsa doesn’t have. That’s the beauty of it.”
Sapulpa is a thriving small town in Oklahoma that was built along Route 66.
Sapulpa is located on the heart of Route 66.
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Sapulpa’s buzzing downtown district
A hive of locally owned businesses keeps downtown buzzing. The Kante Group, led by entrepreneur and Sapulpa native Joni Rogers-Kante, has opened several hot spots since 2022, including Crossroads Cookery and Waypoint Lounge, an e-sports arena featuring Asian-German fusion cuisine. Rogers-Kante is also the founder of SeneGence, a makeup company — and major employer — known for its “kiss-proof” lipstick brand, LipSense. Steel pipe manufacturer Paragon Industries, another major employer, gets into the spirit for the Route 66 Christmas Chute when the holiday season comes around. “They have a huge light display every Christmas that slows down traffic,” says Adriana Fout, broker and owner of Elevate Realty. “Everybody loves seeing it.” One block from Route 66, Hobson Avenue hosts James Calley Brewing Company, Sapulpa’s first brewery. As Main Street stretches south of downtown, chain restaurants, discount stores and supermarkets take over the commercial landscape.
Residents of Sapulpa have many options to meet and enjoy a meal or a cup of coffee.
Peruse the thousands of comics available at Route 66 Comics and Collectibles in Sapulpa.
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The Route 66 Christmas Chute
Route 66 carves a path through the heart of Sapulpa and doubles as its main traffic artery. The Christmas Chute, established in 2022, has rechristened Sapulpa’s downtown. During the days leading up to Christmas, starting about two weeks before Thanksgiving, the streets transform into a winter wonderland. Tinsel, glittering lights and oversized ornaments loom overhead, while life-sized tchotchkes like a bathtub with oars and a Volkswagen Beetle convertible provide photo ops. Kids in red-and-green pajamas jockey for space over the marshmallow-toasting stations or huddle in the heated igloos, each decorated with a unique seasonal theme. In September, the Route 66 Blowout invites locals and auto enthusiasts to celebrate the historic highway with live music, food trucks and a car show. Commuters can also use Route 66 to connect to Interstate 44 for the 15-mile drive to Tulsa or the 23-mile hop to Tulsa International Airport. Though the city is conveniently close to Tulsa, residents rely on cars to get around.
A grand historical Route 66 sign is featured alongside The Route 66 Christmas Chute show.
Local businesses deck out cars, trucks and trailers at Sapulpa Christmas Parade of Lights.
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Large parcels of land on the Oklahoma prairie
The median home value in Sapulpa hovers around $215,000, which is low for the Tulsa metro area and nearly half the national median, currently $407,000. Likewise, homes only linger on the market for about a month, compared to the national average of 44 days. On streets close to downtown, bungalows and starter homes are priced from $125,000 to $250,000, including plenty of new construction and recent renovations. Two-story Craftsman or Cape Cod-style houses fetch prices from $350,000 to $600,000. Meanwhile, on the rural outskirts of town, luxury homes in gated communities — some on several acres — sell for $1 million to $2 million. Arrowhead Land Company, which operates out of Sapulpa, specializes in selling large parcels of land to ranchers, farmers and other outdoor enthusiasts. Crime risk in the area is low, with most neighborhoods receiving CAP Index scores of 3 or lower, below the national average of 4. Since many parts of Tulsa have high CAP Index scores, Sapulpa represents a lower-risk alternative and an appealing option for families.
Homes in Sapulpa are known for historic architecture and mature trees.
Near Oaks Country Club in Sapulpa, large estates on ample acreage can be found for prospective homebuyers.
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Educational Pathways at Sapulpa Public Schools
Sapulpa Public Schools receives a B rating from Niche. To strengthen community ties, the district encourages students and local businesses to participate in the Educational Pathways program, with internships to help students find the right career path. Voters recently approved a $279 million bond package to help build a new high school for the district. “They’re in dire need,” says Christina Williams, general manager at Arrowhead Land Company. “They have trash cans in the hallway to catch the water when it rains, so it’s due for a face-lift.” Since 2020, the Sapulpa High School dance team has brought home five national championships.
Freedom Elementary School is part of the Sapulpa Public School System.
Sapulpa Junior and Senior High share a campus near downtown Sapulpa.
Sapulpa Middle School serves students in grades 6th and 7th.
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Paddling and angling on Sahoma Lake
Sapulpa’s green spaces and recreational facilities cater primarily to equestrians and fans of water-based activities. Sahoma Lake teems with trout and kayakers, and a creek-fed fishing pond shares space with the dog-friendly exercise trail at Kelly Lane Park. Numerous horse farms and boarding facilities border the edges of town. The drive-in movie theater operates seasonally, but a nearby outdoor shooting range draws marksmen and -women all year long. Summers in Sapulpa can be hot and muggy, with temperatures climbing to the mid-90s. As in much of Oklahoma, tornadoes are also a risk, primarily in April and May, so residents should prepare for relatively high insurance premiums. Areas around Polecat Creek east of downtown are also prone to flooding during heavy rainfall.
Kelly Lane Park in Sapulpa is the perfect place to run or sit with your furry friends.
Sapulpa residents can fish the pond at Kelly Lane Park or head out to Lake Sahoma.
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The Sapulpa chapter of Ascension St. John hospital
Ascension St. John Sapulpa is a 25-bed hospital that provides emergency and inpatient care, lab services and rehabilitation programs for cardiac and pulmonary patients. St. John Health System acquired the former Sapulpa City Hospital in 1997 and continues to evolve while maintaining its status as a vital support system for Sapulpa residents.
The future of Sapulpa’s Main Street
Sapulpa’s ongoing development isn’t limited to plans for the new high school. The city is also revamping its Main Street and the portion of Route 66 that courses through the downtown area. Traffic patterns will be altered while the project is underway, but the face-lift, once completed in the summer of 2025, should give the community a significant boost. Outdoor concerts and other events will bring together residents and draw visitors from nearby cities and towns, including Tulsa.
Sapulpa proudly integrates their zip code into the Route 66 sign.
Downtown Sapulpa is thriving with coffee shops, salons, restaurants and a packed events calendar.
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Written By
Adrienne Ryan
Photography Contributed By
Justin Prokop
Video By
Scott Wiggins
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jackie Shields,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Sapulpa, OK sell after 33 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Sapulpa, OK over the last 12 months is $228,000, up 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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