Tulsa, Oklahoma, might not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of cosmic significance, but tucked away in its downtown area lies a quirky and intriguing spot known as the “Center of the Universe.” During our recent days exploring Tulsa, we sought out this unassuming landmark, and it quickly became a bit of an obsession – so much so that we found ourselves drawn back to it not once, but twice or was it three times. Because, well, when you find the Center of the Universe, you kind of have to experience it more than once, right?
Locating this peculiar point isn’t exactly a grand quest. It’s situated on a pedestrian bridge near the Boston Avenue Pedestrian Plaza. However, don’t expect flashing neon signs or a giant arrow pointing you to cosmic ground zero. In fact, there’s absolutely no marked signage whatsoever. It’s one of those wonderfully understated, word-of-mouth kind of discoveries.
The “center” itself is a small concrete circle within the eight foot diameter brick pavement of the bridge. Step inside this circle and speak or make a noise. The phenomenon is immediately apparent – your voice echoes back to you, sounding distorted and amplified, while people just a few feet outside the circle hear nothing unusual. It’s a bizarre acoustic anomaly, a localized vortex of sound that creates a personal echo chamber. It’s like having your own personal echo chamber.
I started with a simple “Hello?” The sound that bounced back was definitely amplified and distorted, a strange echo that seemed to originate from right beneath my feet. Justin, standing just outside the circle, reported haring a normal, albeit slightly muffled, version of my voice.
What makes it even more intriguing is the mystery surrounding why this happens. Theories range from the circular arrangement of concrete planters nearby to some sort of unique acoustic reflection caused by the bridge’s structure. Whatever the reason, the effect is undeniably cool and a little bit spooky.
On our visits, we were struck by how few people seemed to be aware of this unusual spot or just didn’t care about it. We shared the “Center of the Universe” with only a handful of curious individuals, each taking their turn to whisper, clap, or even sing within the circle, their faces lighting up in surprise at the strange auditory feedback. It felt like we were in on a local secret, a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.
There’s a certain charm in its unmarked nature, a sense of stumbling upon something truly unique without any fanfare. It encourages a bit of playful experimentation and a shared moment of “Isn’t this cool?!” with anyone else who happens to be in the know.
Standing in that small concrete circle, feeling the strange echo of my own voice bouncing back, did it truly feel like the Center of the Universe? Maybe not in a literal, cosmic sense. But it was certainly the center of a curious and slightly surreal experience in Tulsa. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most interesting discoveries are the ones you have to seek out, the unmarked wonders that add a touch of unexpected magic to your travels. And for a few moments, standing in that unassuming circle, we were perfectly content to believe we were at least at the center of something pretty darn cool.