Sand Springs History
1908
Oilman and philanthropist Charles Page purchases 160 acres of land west of Tulsa from the Siah Button family and founds the Sand Springs Home - a nonprofit home for orphans and widows.
1910
Sand Springs begins offering free land and incentives for industrial and manufacturing businesses to relocate to the city.
The Sand Springs Park is founded with a lake, zoo, and amusement park. The park is an instant weekend attraction for Tulsans.
1911
Charles Page founds the Sand Springs Interurban Railway.
1912
The City of Sand Springs is officially incorporated.
3 people are killed and more than 30 are injured when an overloaded interurban electric rail car collides with a stalled out gasoline engine after 10:00 p.m. on the Fourth of July. Over 300 people were loaded onto the car, which was leaving an Independence Day celebration at Sand Springs Park, bound for Tulsa.
Clarence Tingley is elected the first Mayor of Sand Springs and serves until 1915.
1913
Sand Springs surpasses 1,500 in population.
1916
The first Arkansas River bridge is built in Sand Springs from a repurposed Tulsa bridge.
1920
Shell Creek Dam is completed and becomes Sand Springs’ primary water source.
1926
Charles Page, founder of Sand Springs, dies from the flu.
1929
Lucille Page commissions the construction of Page Memorial Library and donates it to the City.
1931
New concrete bridge is constructed across the Arkansas River, replacing the 1916 iron bridge.
1949
Ruby DeBolt is elected Mayor of Sand Springs and serves until 1951.
1955
The Sand Springs Railroad runs its last interurban street car.
1960
Sand Springs population reaches 7,700.
1965
Sand Springs annexes Prattville.
1966
Work begins on the Keystone Expressway.
Sand Springs Public Schools complete desegregation.
Charles Page High School wins 2A State Championship in football.
1969
Sand Springs adopts Council-Manager form of government.
1970
Sand Springs population surpasses 11,000.
1971
Charles Page High School wins 3A State Championship in wrestling.
1978
Discoveryland! opens.
1984
Sam Harris wins inaugural season of Star Search.
1994
Charles Page High School wins 5A State Championship in Girls’ Basketball.
2010
Charles Page High School students Hannah Christian and Cassidy Rotramel are killed in motor vehicle accident. 2 Angels Toy Run is founded in their honor.
2017
Charles Page High School wrestling team wins Class 6A State Championship Tournament and Dual State Tournament. Daton Fix completes undefeated career as four-time State Champion.