About Us ~
We believe the American dream isn’t about keeping up with the Jones’s. But rather, the grit, curiosity and courage to seek all that life has to offer.
We all, of course, can also lead to excess in our attempts to do this. But invariably, it seems we then seek to reconnect with this wonderful, native, inherent spirit – to adventure beyond ourselves, as well as within. To be ever more grateful, soulful and compassionate -as well as pioneering and productive – in our relationships with ourselves and others.
Honcho Park’s mission is to be a place, in time, where those pursuits are stewarded, supported, valued and appreciated. An urban oasis of what it means to ‘Stay gold, Ponyboy’, in what can sometimes seem an endless expanse of irrelevance or noise.
History
Located in the historic West O’ Main area of Tulsa’s pioneer lore, Honcho Park’s five acres were originally homesteaded in the 1940s by a Native American family. They lived and worked onsite as true greasers from the Outsiders era in Tulsa, repairing heavy trucks – and providing friendly, family style bunking for the drivers while they awaited their wheels.
The family were also well known dirt track racers in the region, running with the wind on night time ovals, celebrating America’s endless love of horsepower!
The area became industrialized in America’s great boom thanks to a unique man of vision, Charles Page, who went on to leave a lasting legacy in support of women and children in need.
‘Greasers’ was that era’s subsequent reference to the misfits, the outcasts, the outsiders. But what it’s also always meant, is how people learn through grit, curiosity and courage to live, love, and be more than their circumstances. That’s okiedom in a nutshell.
During World War II, American GIs who were tasked with holding Japanese people in their custody, often heard themselves referred to as ‘honcho’. In Japanese, honcho means the leader of a small group. The GIs brought this word back to the hard working places like West O’ Main. Honcho Park honors all those who have ever led small groups. In families, in service, in life.