BARTLESVILLE, Okla. — Sold artifacts, a bevy of lawsuits, and empty halls are the defining qualities of the Price Tower’s last few months.
“I think if there was an investor, and I think if it was handed back to the city that could properly maintain it – you put the proper people in place, that could maintain it, it could be done,” longtime Bartlesville resident Allison Pruett said.
John Snyder, owner of Tulsa's Mayo Hotel, wanted to be that investor, but the artifacts drove a wedge into the sale.
BACKGROUND: Price Tower artifacts sold, uproar follows
Both sides, the current owners and Snyder, could not agree. 2 News contacted attorneys for both parties, but neither responded.
Recent court filings tell most of the story.
Attorneys representing the Blanchard family, the tower’s current owner, said negotiations started in early May 2024.
Neither side agreed to contract language involving the artifacts.
In an email to Blanchard's attorney, Snyder listed the artifacts sold. He said his team calculated the risk cost of the missing artifacts, planning to escrow an amount to be paid upon the return of the artifacts. Negotiations then fizzled.
2 News Oklahoma's Brodie Myers covered another legal case about the tower:
Local News
NEW SUIT: Price Tower owners sue over title disagreement
“It’s really nice, it’s beautiful. It’s a piece of history that not a lot of people know about, the artist behind it is incredible,” Bartlesville resident Olivia Allan told 2 News.
Now it's Oklahomans making history in their efforts to preserve history.
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