William Vandever
Vandevers Department Store
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In the 50’s all things big and small could be found at the store with everything. Vandevers was the go-to department store located at 16 E. 5th Street in Tulsa. One could purchase everything from Paris fashion knock-offs to Levi jeans, from a full-length mink coat to a youngster’s Hopalong Cassidy outfit, expensive imported jewelry and Mickey Mouse watches. Five brothers owned and managed this multi-level retail space in the heart of downtown Tulsa, plus a store in Bartlesville. In addition, very little of major importance happened without the avid support of the Vandevers. Bill Vandever the son of Gary Vandever, managed Vandevers for many years. He served on the boards of 17 organizations including his favorite, the Tulsa Philharmonic. Bill Vandever’s interview was recorded March 9, 2009. He was 84 when he passed away January 2, 2010. The story of Vandevers Department Store and his family’s many years of faithful civic duty.Program Credits: Honest Media Müllerhaus Legacy Website Team Date Created: March 9, 2009 Date Published: February 23, 2015 Notes: Recorded by John Erling in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Digital Audio Sound Recording, Non-Music. Tags: Boswell Jewelry, Bill Skelley, Sinclair, Cal Tinney, Waite Philips, Hope Diamond, Macy’s, Jack Kennedy, Charles Degaulle, Bobby Kennedy, Bordens, Zales, Elizabeth Arden, Van Cliburn |