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Mr. W. G. Skelly
William G. Skelly: "Mr. Tulsa"
William G. Skelly historically is known as "Mr. Tulsa". He is considered one of the 20 most influential people responsible for advancing Tulsa’s economic, educational, cultural and business growth. He was born near Erie PA, the son of an oilfield worker and began his own career in oil at age 16. Years later he founded Skelly Oil Company, one of the largest and most successful independent oil companies in the world. Its success enabled him, as one of the richest men in America, to give generously to his community. Skelly Oil merged with Getty Oil in 1977 and in 1984 Texaco, Inc. acquired Getty Oil. His lifelong contributions to the international petroleum industry and to Tulsa's community are innumerable.
1912 – W.G. Skelly settled in Tulsa.
1917 - Skelly and other independent oilmen and prominent businessmen (Frank Phillips of Phillips Petroleum Inc., E.W. Marlan of Conoco Inc., Alf Landon, H.H. Chapman of Chapman Oil Company, Lew Wentz, C.F. Colcord, R.S. Kerr of Kerr-McGee Oil Company) met in Tulsa to form the Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association. The goal of the organization was to help America win World War I by assuring essential supplies of petroleum and petroleum products to the allied forces. Today Mid-Continent continues to advance the interests of the oil and gas industry.
1918 - Skelly's oil company prospered as did Tulsa, by then the undisputed "Oil Capitol of the World" with 40 percent of the world’s production coming from or around the city.
1919 - W.G. Skelly founded Skelly Oil Company.
1923 – Skelly helped Tulsa attorney Earl Sneed create The International Oil Exposition. IPE met every 5 years in Tulsa. The latest and best of the oil industry was found at IPE. By 1971, IPE included over 500 of the industry's leading companies.
1924 - Skelly purchased a home at 2101 S. Madison Avenue. The 10,000 square foot three story neo-classical home remained in the Skelly family until 1978. The "Skelly House" is among Tulsa's premier historical buildings. This house is listed as a National Historic Site (November 28, 1978).
1924 - Skelly was the driving force behind Tulsa’s International Airport. Once again, ahead of this time, he organized the Tulsa Airport Corporation. He and 47 other individuals provided the funding to build the airport. The Tulsa International Airport opened in 1930. The City of Tulsa soon purchased the airport and repaid the loans.
1925 - Skelly became president of International Oil Exposition (IPE) - an office he held for 32 years until his death in 1957. By 1935, IPE had achieved international importance in the petroleum industry. As quoted in the 1959 Tulsa Spirit IPE Scrapbook, W.K. Warren stated, “From the day that Bill Skelly became the president of the IPE in 1925 until his death, his was the hand that steered this exposition show until it became recognized as the greatest single industry exhibition in the world."
1928 – Skelly founded Spartan School of Aeronautics as well as and Spartan Aircraft Company. Over 80,000 aviation technicians and related industry professionals have received training at the school.
1928 - Skelly acquired full ownership of Tulsa's radio station KVOO.
1930 - Skelly was a major contributor to The University of Tulsa's Stadium Fund Drive. Skelly stadium was dedicated on October 4, 1930.
1930 – Skelly and others established the private hunting retreat: “The Verdigris Club” which is now known as Skelly Lodge.
1931 - As his company, Skelly Oil Company, expanded operations in Oklahoma, oil and gas wells were discovered on "Poverty Ridge" in 1931, northwest of Cummingham Oklahoma. The area became known as Skellyville.
1933 - Skelly Oil Company erected a gasoline plant in Skellyville. It operated until 1958.
1939 - Skelly was inducted into The Oklahoma Hall of Fame.
1947 - Skelly helped fund the first public FM radio station in Oklahoma: KWGS.
1951 - Skelly purchased "The Verdigris Club" from the original members.
1954 - Skelly and several businessmen developed Tulsa's first television, KVOO-TV.
1957 - Skelly died.
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