The earliest settlers of the area date back to the Ozark Bluff Dwellers. They lived in the northeast part of Oklahoma, otherwise know as Green Country. 

The Native American population came to the area in 1836 by way of the infamous Trail of Tears. Their journey ended beneath the branches of the Council Oak Tree, located on the east side of the Arkansas River. It was here that many decided to make their home. They called their settlement Tulsey," meaning "old town," in memory of their former Alabama town. Today this spot is 18th and Cheyenne near downtown Tulsa.

The Lochapokas, a band of Creek Indians, carried burning embers from their council fire in Alabama. Every evening while they traveled, they re-lit the camp fires with the embers in remembrance of the home they left behind.

The "Five Civilized Tribes," Cherokees, Choctaws, Chickasaws, Creeks and Seminoles, all came to the area. They brought with them their ideas of trading and commerce, ideas that would influence and shape the Tulsa area as well as the state of Oklahoma.

For the next decades, the area remained untamed wilderness with only a few settlers and mostly Native Americans. In 1846, Lewis Perryman built a log cabin trading post near what is now 33rd Street and South Rockford Avenue. Perryman, who was part Creek, established a business foothold in the rugged frontier until the Civil War. The war forced many residents to flee the area.

Fortunately, the reconstruction period after the war contributed to the growth of the area. In 1879 the first Post Office opened, followed by the arrival of the railroad. By this time the area became known as Tulsey Town as it grew to be a trading post and cattle town.

It wasn't until the establishment of the Post Office in March 1879 that the name Tulsa was adopted as the growing city's name.

In 1882, Tulsa's population was about 200. But, by the time the city was incorporated on January 18, 1898, the population had sprouted to 1,100.

In 1905, Tulsa began to build houses, businesses and water systems to prepare for the arrival of the people who would harvest the reward of the discovery of oil. During this time period, Tulsa became known as the Oil Capital of the World.