Donations Bring Back Piece Of Bartlesville's Past

A nostalgic piece of Bartlesville's past, the old Goff Tower at Sooner Park, is making a comeback.

The 50-foot tall play tower was built in 1963 by renowned architect Bruce Goff, the same person who designed Tulsa's Boston Avenue Methodist Church.

The steel tower with a spiraling staircase has been closed for 20 years because it deteriorated.

10/7/2014 Related Story: Restored Landmark Tower Returns To Bartlesville Park

Over the past year, Bartlesville has raised $180,000 to refurbish it. Now it's ready for families to enjoy again.

Parks & Recreating Director, Lisa Beeman said, "You have a group of people who have strong memories of it as a child who lived here. And they came out in numbers. And also people who recognize it as an architectural feature."

Phillips donated $50,000 toward the project. Another $21,000 came from the Lyons Foundation.

The rest came in through donations from across the country.