The Community Development Department team helped fulfill a request by the Park Board for the installation of a tactical urbanism project by painting a mural along Pathfinder at the original location of the Bartlesville Interurban Railway where it crossed the Caney River heading to Dewey. Pictured from left, standing, are Neighborhood Services Officers Brandon Lopez and Ike Amaro, Neighborhood Services Supervisor Mike Wickham, Special Projects Manager Greg Collins, Building Inspector Steve Williams, Abatement/Compliance Officer Deonte Mayhew, Chief Building Official Trey Yankovich, and Building Inspector Chris Reeves, and, kneeling, Senior Administrative Assistant Madison Sanford, Community Development Director Larry Curtis and Senior Planner Micah Snyder.
On Friday, May 30, the City of Bartlesville, at the request of the Bartlesville Park Board, installed a new historical art feature along the beloved Pathfinder Parkway Trail. The artwork is located near the intersection of Frank Phillips Boulevard and Pathfinder Parkway, at the site where the historic Interurban Trolley once crossed the path.
The project includes a painted feature to mark the historic trolley crossing, commemorating a unique chapter in Bartlesville’s transportation history. The Interurban Trolley, which operated from 1908 to 1920, played a key role in connecting residents and workers throughout Washington County and even into neighboring Kansas during Oklahoma’s oil boom years. The line enabled workers to travel from Bartlesville to the surrounding oil fields, smelters, and industrial sites, and was a vital part of the community’s growth — especially during the economic surge of World War I.
Though the trolley’s lifespan was short, lasting only 12 years and one day, its impact was significant. The new art feature serves not only as a visual enhancement along the trail but also as an educational and historical marker that invites reflection on Bartlesville’s past.
This addition continues the city’s commitment to public beautification and cultural enrichment through the Pathfinder Parkway, a 12-mile multi-use trail system traversing urban neighborhoods, scenic woodlands, wetlands, and parks. Originally designed as a Bicentennial project in 1976 and designated a National Recreation Trail in 1977, the Pathfinder is a treasured amenity for residents and visitors alike.
The public is encouraged to visit the new site and take a moment to appreciate the rich transportation history it represents. A QR code marker will eventually be placed at the location to help explain the historical significance of the site.
About Pathfinder Parkway
Pathfinder Parkway is a scenic, year-round, multi-use trail perfect for walking, running, cycling, birdwatching, and more. With connections to several city parks and neighborhoods, the trail serves as both a recreational and commuting resource for Bartlesville residents.
About the Bartlesville Park Board
The Bartlesville Park Board advises city leadership on initiatives to preserve, enhance, and promote the city’s park systems and recreational assets.