Crutchfield

Not much has changed in Crutchfield since one of its homes served as a set for the 1983 film “The Outsiders,” except that the now-famous property has been preserved and transformed into a commemorative museum. But a revitalization project is underway to improve one of Tulsa’s oldest neighborhoods and prove that it’s more than a pop culture attraction. "The house holds great importance in both its cultural and historical significance," says Estella Alvarez, sales associate for McGraw Realtors. "While it is undoubtedly a cool attraction for fans of the iconic novel and movie, its value extends far beyond that. The residents' focus on revitalizing their neighborhood is a testament to their genuine passion for the community. It is evident that they deeply care about creating a better place to live for themselves and future generations."

Since Crutchfield literally sits on the cusp of downtown, just 2 miles northeast, it lures homebuyers like a dog to a bone. The homes here are densely packed on small lots, usually coming in the form of early 1900s bungalows with spacious, fenced-in backyards. Some come with garages and rarer amenities like storm shelters, but they all tend to stay around the $100,000 to $200,000 mark due to low square footage. "Tulsa has really been revitalized in most of the areas surrounding downtown," Alvarez says. "Living so close to downtown and the Cherry Street area and having easy highway access is a plus for people who often commute."

Locals say you have to go to “The Outsiders” House Museum at least once. Hip-hop artist Danny Boy O’Connor, a big fan of the film, bought the house for $15,000 in 2016 after it fell into disrepair, and he was determined to return it to its original state while sharing the souvenirs he’s collected over the years. Visitors can get a glimpse of the jacket worn by Dallas Winston (played by Matt Dillon), get a tour of the actual rooms where pivotal scenes like Ponyboy (C. Thomas Howell) and Dallas fighting played out, or carve your own name or message into a commemorative brick that’ll stay outside the house forever. The museum wants to cement the legacy of this film, which is the product of its namesake book written by Tulsa author S.E. Hilton, one visit at a time.

Another recognizable piece of “The Outsiders” lies just minutes away from the museum. If you walk down Independence Street to Crutchfield Park, you’ll follow the same path the brothers use to meet Dallas at the end of the movie, where the fountain scene was also filmed – though the fountain is no longer there. This park now mostly serves as a safe place to play, offering an asphalt cherry-red-and-hunter-green playset, a concrete basketball court and a picnic pavilion.

“The Outsiders” isn’t the only thing Crutchfield is widely known for, though. Considered by many to have the best Mexican cuisine in all of Tulsa, El Rio Verde rose to the top of the local scene for its Wet Burrito, a huge tortilla filled with your choice of meat, as well as beans, rice, salsa, melted cheese, sour cream and guacamole. Even if that isn’t what’s calling your name from the menu, you won’t leave full – because this restaurant is known for serving massive portions in a calm, welcoming environment. If you don’t want the night to end, go north up Peoria Avenue to Retro Grill & Bar, a casual American joint that frequently hosts live music performances. Grab a chicken basket, sip on a specialty drink like the Washington Apple – a mixture of Crown Royal Regal Apple, Apple Pucker Schnapps and cranberry juice – and let loose to the music.

Homecookers have to head a few miles out of the neighborhood for meal prep or stocking up on groceries, either at Supermercados Morelos 3 miles east or at Reasor’s 4 miles south.

Crutchfield doesn’t have any schools, either, so students attend Springdale Elementary 2 miles northeast before feeding into Monroe Middle and McLain High schools.

On the up and up, Crutchfield is working to forever “stay gold.”

Written By

Bre Offenberger

Photography Contributed By

Justin Prokop

Video By

Syd Silberman