A crown on the Blue Dome

In a story by the Greater Tulsa Region Newspapers about Tulsa’s preparations for the upcoming National Preservation Conference on Oct. 21-25, those who come to town during that time will be treated to a rare sight — the copper spire that once graced the Blue Dome gas station on Route 66 near downtown will be erected again, if temporarily.

According to the story:

Michael Sager is a well-known restorer and owner of downtown properties and he was instrumental in establishing the Blue Dome District in downtown Tulsa. The iconic “blue dome” sits atop a 1924 Gulf Oil Station located on the corner of Second Street and Elgin Ave. and features a unique Byzantine style circular copula roof. Sager has been busy searching for a restoration craftsman with the necessary skills to restore the beautiful copper spire topping off the copula.

“The building alone is a marvelous little structure and the spire is a uniquely beautiful work of art. Unfortunately restoring it requires a level of craftsmanship that is hard to find these days,” says Sager.

The time tattered spire was removed from the building’s dome while Sager searched for a craftsman to trust with restoring the art piece. With time running out before the National Preservation Conference, he has decided to replace it on the dome for conference attendees to enjoy. After the conference it will be removed again, restored and replace in its rightful perch atop one of the city’s most unique architectural attractions.

Here’s a photo of the Blue Dome during its heyday. You can see the copper spire on top of the dome if you look closely.

So the copper spire will be restored, but not right away. But it’s classy of Sager to show folks what it looks like for a week or so, at least.

To see some of Sager’s other worthwhile preservation efforts, go here.

The article also says it’s “hoped” the historic Meadow Gold sign will be re-erected at 11th Street and Quaker Avenue by time of the conference. Having seen the construction site several times in the past few weeks, that may be overly optimistic. But it’s still gratifying to see that the sign will eventually be visible again after it was dismantled in 2004.