Know Your Neighbor: Owasso
History of Owasso
Owasso is located 6 miles north of Tulsa on U.S. Highway 169 in Tulsa County.
According to the Oklahoma Historical Society, Owasso began as a settlement in 1881 in the Cherokee Nation. Located along Elm Creek, it was known as the Elm Creek settlement. In 1897 the Oklahoma Central and Southwestern Railway acquired right-of-way near the town, and the natural spring was dammed for a lake where the steam locomotives got their water and turned around to go north. Owasso is a Native American word (there’s uncertainty about whether it’s Osage or Cherokee) that means “the turn around” or “the end.”
In the 1950s, Owasso became a bedroom community for Tulsa and has had steady growth over the years with expanded industrial development, including American Airlines, Nordam Group, Whirlpool and MCI WorldCom. The Port of Catoosa is also nearby. On Sept. 28, 1972, the Town of Owasso became the City of Owasso.
Owasso’s Redbud District. Photo by Ian Upton
Quick Facts
- Owasso is a growing community of over 39,000 residents
- Median household income: $79,183
- Median value of owner-occupied housing units: $218,400
- (source: census.gov 2022)
Owasso Public Schools (owassops.org)
- Enrollment: 9,900
- 15 schools: 9 elementary, 6th grade center, 7th grade center, 8th grade center, Owasso High School, Owasso Ram Academy
- Average elementary class size: 20
- AP courses offered: 26
- Graduation rate: 92.4%
Places to See in Owasso
Wheels and Thrills. Photo by Ian Upton
Redbud Festival Park: Main Street, between 86th & 76th St. at 109 N. Main St.; redbudowasso.com
This community park offers free classes such as Zumba in the Park, strength and conditioning, a Farmers’ Market, a Summer Library Series, music, movie nights, yoga, holiday festivals and other seasonal events.
Farmers’ Market: @ Redbud Festival Park during spring/summer months.
Wheels & Thrills: Family Entertainment Center, 10637 N. Garnett Rd.; wheelsandthrills.com
Roller skating, laser tag, arcades, a play zone and more give parents and kids of all ages a fun place to hang out.
Owasso Historical Museum: 26 S. Main St.; cityofowasso.com
Even the building is a piece of history – catch the mural outside for a photo op. The place is filled with artifacts relating to the history and growth of the town.
MAD Eats: 201 S. Main; madeatsok.com
Kids will love a treat at this place. They have food, but the Mad Shakes are over-the-top confections that are works of art.
Mad Eats. Photo by Ian Upton
Airtopia Adventure Park: 12932 E. 86th St. N.; airtopiapark.com
Trampolines, ropes, an area for toddler play, a Ninja course, arcade and more make for hours of entertainment.
Funtastic Island in Veterans Park: 10320 E. 116th St. N.; cityofowasso.com
This popular park has it all – a plethora of playground equipment, water features, shelters for picnics and more.
Say hello to Youth Librarian Jayme Taylor and Marlow the Pig at Owasso Library! Photo courtesy Tulsa City-County Library
From Our FB Friends
We asked TulsaKids’ Facebook followers about their favorite things to do in Owasso. Here are a few of the responses:
“Owasso High School baseball! Eat at Trails End BBQ.” – Chris-Melita A.
“Get the everything pass for the kids at Wheels and Thrills while I enjoy their fully stocked concessions!!” – April O.
“Ollie Pop Craft Shop is an amazing place to be creative for adults and kids! So much fun!!!” – Tana H.D.P.
“Wheels and Thrills and Funtastic Island.” – Elizabeth R.
“Eat at El Fogon. On warmer days, Funtastic Island. On colder days, The Copper Kiln, Where the Wild Things Play, Airtopia.” – Macy N.
The Copper Kiln. Photo by Ian Upton
“Airtopia, Where the Wild Things Play, Wheels and Thrills and eat at Baja Jacks.” – Kirsten D.W.
“Work! I work at the best hospital – Bailey Medical Center!” – Jennifer B.S.
“Watch a lacrosse game – 2022 boys high school state champions. Home of the largest high school lacrosse program with five teams.” – Gina J.
Where the Wild Things Play. Photo by Ian Upton
The Carroll Family
Paige Carroll and her husband, Dallas, have lived in Owasso for nearly a decade. In fact, Dallas grew up in Owasso and moved back after college graduation to start a business, Carroll’s Commercial Floors. Paige says she met Dallas when she was visiting her brother in Owasso after returning from a mission trip in Brazil. The couple has been married for nine years and have three children: Cohen, age 7, who is a first grader at Owasso Public Schools; Eason, age 5, who attends Grand Central Kids Preschool at Central Baptist Church, Owasso; and Brielle, who will be 2 this month.
The Carroll Family. Photo by Katie Garcia with Raw Life Images Photography
Paige says she loves the small-town feel of Owasso. “I’m from a small town,” she says. “I run into people I know at the grocery store or at the park. Tulsa’s great, but I just feel so good in Owasso. You see friendly faces everywhere you go.”
That friendliness often translates into friendships for the Carroll family. Paige says she finds it easy to connect with people, either at church, at school or at the gym where she works out and teaches. Even Cohen has instigated some playdates with friends he met at the gym.
“I’ve connected with other moms at his school,” Paige says. “I met a mom at the pick-up line, and we go on runs together. It’s so nice.”
Owasso’s Hodson Elementary School where Cohen attends is one of Paige’s favorite things about Owasso. “We love his school,” she says. “I feel the love, care and compassion they have for the kids. Everybody knows his name, and they go out of their way to make him feel loved. I can’t say enough good things about the staff and teachers.”
She has also found a warm and caring preschool for Eason at Grand Central Kids. “He loves it,” Paige says.
Besides feeling good about the children’s schools, Paige says that Owasso has plenty of family entertainment to keep them in the community. The Tulsa Zoo is one big draw outside of Owasso, but Paige points out that it’s fairly close to Owasso.
“We spend most of our time here,” Paige says. “We hit up the parks and meet friends. We go to the movies or bowling. We go to storytime at the library. My kids love Sugar Llamas, and the tacos from the food truck Tacowasso. We get those all the time.”
Owasso High School football games are another fun activity. The high school is near their house, and they have a niece in the band. “My husband went to Owasso High School and was in track, so he keeps up with track and cross country. We also like to do 5K races.”
Ultimately, Paige says she loves the sense of community in Owasso. “It’s a perfect place to raise a family. I fell in love with my husband and then I fell in love with Owasso.”
The Payne Family
Jennifer and her husband, Chad, moved to Owasso in early 2019. Prior to that, they lived in Houston. They have two daughters: Kennedy, age 8, and Charlee, age 6.
The Payne Family. Photo by Ian Upton
Since Chad is an airline pilot, one plus of living in Owasso is its proximity to the Tulsa International Airport. “It’s an easy commute,” Jennifer says, “and a nice town that’s close to Tulsa.”
While Jennifer has lived in California and Ponca City, it was living in Houston that really made her appreciate Owasso. “I didn’t realize how much I liked it here. In Houston, I felt like we were in the car all the time. I never felt like we got involved and met people.”
Creating community in Owasso has been much easier for the Payne family than it was in Houston. “We found a church here that we love,” Jennifer says. “I have amazing neighbors.”
During the pandemic, Jennifer tried homeschooling the girls and found that it worked well with the family schedule, especially Chad’s work schedule. “Even though we homeschool, we’re involved in so much. Kennedy and Charlee are both in swim.”
Kennedy belongs to Trident Swim Club, competing in meets around the state. Charlee takes lessons at Miller Swim School.
Jennifer and the girls also attend a bible study, and there’s a homeschool group within that, but Jennifer says they’re not part of a homeschool coop at this time. “My kids are so social,” she says. “I have to say ‘no’ a lot because we haven’t been home!”
Both girls got skates for Christmas, so Jennifer says they’re looking forward to spending more time at Wheels and Thrills, which also has skate times for homeschool groups.
“One of the places we love is Dreaming Donuts on Main Street,” she says. “They have great donuts, and they’re the nicest people.”
Jennifer also says that her kids love the outdoors, so they spend a lot of time at local parks. “There’s a sports complex not too far from where we live,” she says. “We go on a one-mile loop with bikes and scooters. And we love watching the airplanes – we can see my husband’s flight coming in.”
Jennifer’s main message is that Owasso is a very family-centered place. “After living in a big city, I just really appreciate that,” she says. “Family is important here. People are intentional about valuing family time.”
Betty Casey is the associate publisher and editor in chief of TulsaKids Magazine. She has been with TulsaKids over 20 years.
