Louisville Heights

The Tulsa neighborhood of Louisville Heights is an area that has gone through a lot of changes in its existence. According to research done by University of Tulsa anthropologist Dr. Alicia Odewale, there were no residential structures in the area prior to 1940. But beginning around 1945, there were homes being built by developer Howard C. Grubb, and the moniker of Louisville Heights was attached to the neighborhood. “At some point after the construction of Jackson Elementary School in 1967, the neighborhood became known as Jackson. The names became interchangeable after 1984, and newspapers reporting on the area used both names in reference to the neighborhood,” says Odewale. Today, the neighborhood has reverted to its original name of Louisville Heights, a nod to both its historical value and the importance of preserving that history. And while Louisville Heights has gone through what the neighborhood association president Haskell Aims calls “good times and bad times,” it is currently experiencing a revitalization. That thought is echoed by Dafne Aguilar, a real estate agent with HomeSmart Stellar in Tulsa. She says, “The neighborhood is up-and-coming. Some of the houses in the area need work, but if a buyer is willing to put in the time and effort, there are some great bargains there.” Pair those bargains with access to a host of amenities, and you begin to see the potential for Louisville Heights. Situated ten minutes’ drive from both downtown Tulsa and the Tulsa International Airport, Louisville Heights is poised to continue its upward trend. It is a historical neighborhood that is looking forward to a prosperous future.

When the neighborhood was being developed, Howard Grubbs wanted to build houses that were affordable for first-time homebuyers, and that desire is reflected today in the price of real estate. The current median price hovers around $85,000, with a price-per-square-foot average of about $115. A comfortable two-bedroom/one-bath ranch-style home can sell for as low as $60,000, and a newly-built three-bedroom/one-bathroom ranch-style sells for about $175,000. “The price points are great, especially for first-time homebuyers,” says Aguilar.

Students in the neighborhood can attend Owen Elementary, Monroe Demonstration Middle and McClain High School, all three of which have very active Parent-Teacher Associations, so parents can take an active role in their children’s education. In addition to a rigorous academic curriculum, students at McClain can engage in a wide range of extracurricular activities, including 14 different varsity sports, 12 different specialized programs and 34 after-school activities and clubs.

Two nearby parks make it easy to get some recreational time outdoors. Ute Park has four basketball courts and plenty of open space for walking or relaxing. The park also abuts the Tulsa Cricket Club pitch, where it’s not uncommon to see a pitcher throwing a googly to try and knock down some wickets. Alternatively, Clinton Park has a basketball court and a covered picnic shelter.

Both the Tulsa Air and Space Museum and the Tulsa Zoo are also just a short drive from the neighborhood. “The fact that it’s so close to so many amenities is a big selling point for the neighborhood,” says Aguilar. At the Air and Space Museum, visitors can take control of a space shuttle in the museum’s flight simulator or experience weightlessness in the zero-gravity simulating manned maneuvering unit simulator. You can also see some amazing aircraft and learn more about Tulsa’s history as an aerospace leader. If you want to take a walk on the wild side, visit the nearby Tulsa Zoo, which is home to more than 2,000 animals from around the world all situated on 84 acres. Get up-close-and-personal with elephants, bears, tarantulas and a whole lot more in the zoo’s 12 different habitats.

Save a Lot is a short drive away, so you don’t have to travel too far to get your grocery shopping done. And for other shopping needs, Walmart Super Center is less than 5 miles from the Louisville Heights. If cooking at home just isn’t on the menu, stop in at Rubicon for some of the area’s best barbecue. Easy access to nearby Highway 11 means residents can get to downtown Tulsa and all the amenities available there in just 10 minutes. And for those who want to go a little further than Tulsa, the neighborhood is also just a quick 10-minute drive to Tulsa International Airport.

With so much to offer residents at such an attractive price point, Louisville Heights is definitely a neighborhood that should be on your list if you’re looking for affordability and access to great amenities.

Written By

Andrew Spencer

Photography Contributed By

Zach Manwell

Video By

Jessica Johnson