Bixby is a city in Tulsa and Wagoner counties, Oklahoma, situated along the Arkansas River on the southern edge of the Tulsa metropolitan area. With about 29,000 residents, it is one of the larger and more established suburbs in the Tulsa region, located roughly 22 miles south of downtown Tulsa on US 64. The city's identity is rooted in agriculture. Bixby grew on the fertile bottomland of the Arkansas River valley, and by the early twentieth century the surrounding farms were producing vegetables for regional markets. In 1941, the city became an important railroad shipping point for fresh produce and was christened "The Garden Spot of Oklahoma," a nickname that still appears on the town seal and public vehicles. That farming heritage — along with institutions such as Gibson Gardens and the area's orchards and berry farms — remains a defining thread of local culture. In recent decades, Bixby has grown substantially as Tulsa's suburbs have expanded southward. The city has added large numbers of new single-family homes, and its downtown has been revitalized into a walkable commercial and community center. The result is a place that balances its small-town, agricultural roots with the housing, schools, and amenities of a modern suburb. Bixby is served by Bixby Public Schools, a district that consistently draws families to the area, and its recreation offerings include the Bentley Park Sports Complex, Charley Young Event Park, the Washington Irving Memorial Park and Arboretum, and Lake Bixhoma. Bixby suits families and professionals seeking highly rated schools, newer housing, and a close-knit community feel within a short drive of Tulsa. Its location, growth, and Garden Spot identity give it a distinct place in the Tulsa metro's southern tier.