Born over 150 years ago, Frank Lloyd Wright is considered by many to be the greatest American architect. He is remembered for his unique, innovative, and influential aesthetic style that elegantly blended nature with the built environment. In 2015, ten architectural works designed by Wright were nominated as World Heritage Sites (including the Price Tower). Bartlesville is immensely proud to be the home of this noteworthy, living work of art.
Completed in 1956, this asymmetrical structure comprises 19 stories of angular walls that look different from every perspective. Originally designed in the 1920's as apartments in Manhattan, the basic idea was transplanted to Oklahoma when Harold Price, owner of a local oil company, hired Wright to create his first skyscraper. Wright called this skyscraper “the tree that escaped the crowded forest.”
Later that year, Wright unveiled his design for "The Illinois", the tallest of all skyscrapers, rising from the green acres of Chicago parkland. The Illinois was never built, leaving the Price Tower as Wright's only fully-realized skyscraper. Today the Price Tower hosts an art gallery, a hotel, and resturant. This website can help you make the most of your trip if you would like the full experience: pricetower.org
If you choose to claim this virtual geocache, I hope you are filled with the same sense of wonder, exploration, and discovery that I feel every time I visit.
To recevie credit for the find, you must send me the following information:
- At the posted coordinates, you will find a buffalo statue that is composed of angular shapes, much like this tower. What other art form does this sculpture emulate?
- Standing at the main entrance to the building (either inside or out) what is directly overhead? What makes what you see unusual?
- Enter the building and, on the right-hand wall of the lobby, look for a small brushed metal plaque with a red border. What is the date on the plaque?
- Examine the elevator. What makes the elevator unique? What is the load capacity of the elevator? If the area is open (it is currently temporarily closed for renovation), you can go up to the 15th floor and climb a set of stairs to the observation deck.
- Optional: Post a photo from you visit (that doesn't include any clues to the questions above!)
Thank you Geocaching.com for choosing me to create this cache.
Virtual Reward - 2017/2018
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.