East Bound and Down – Route 66

By Randy C. Anderson  

Will Rogers once quipped, “If you don’t like the weather in Oklahoma, wait a minute and it’ll change.” This bold statement comes to mind when traveling across Oklahoma on Route 66. distinctly OKLAHOMA previously published a travelogue along the Mother Road from its western Oklahoma border through its heartland. In this installment, we point our compass east – from Oklahoma City, through the outskirts of Frontier Country, to the rolling hills and verdant scenery in Green Country.

Traveling Route 66 east of Oklahoma City is an easy drive through a well-maintained road. Just west of Arcadia, which is northeast of Oklahoma City, you will spot a 66-foot-tall soda pop bottle, complete with straw – you are at POPS, a gas station, diner and gift shop. If you are visiting at night, you will see a remarkable light show, as the neon bottle changes colors every few seconds.

Also in Arcadia, you will find the Round Barn, one of the best-known landmarks on Route 66. The barn was originally built in 1898, and restorations that began in 1989 are now complete. Why round? No one seems to know, but many thought it might better survive tornadoes.

Chandler, our next stop, is the mid-point of Route 66 in both Oklahoma and the United States.

            One of the best examples of Route 66 lodging is Chandler’s Lincoln Court. The 1939-era cottage-style rooms are a fine representation of the accommodations one would have had when traveling Old 66. The neon lights are a real treat.

            On the west side of Stroud, just north of Route 66 on Highway 99, is Territory Cellars Winery. This little vineyard offers a wide selection of Oklahoma wines, as well as a lovely restaurant. Lincoln County appears to be the heart of the Oklahoma wine industry, with several top wineries located here. There is a push to have Stroud crowned “The grape capital of Oklahoma.”

Stroud is also home to the Rock Café. Built of native stone in 1939, the Rock Cafe is one of the road’s most popular icons. It suffered from a devastating fire in 2008, but since reopening, it seems to be as popular as ever.

            Bristow is the next community on the route. The downtown train depot, just off Main Street, has been restored to its original glory – train buffs will love it. Bristow claims to have more miles of brick streets than any other town in Oklahoma.

            Time seems to pass quickly when you travel Route 66, and you will find yourself in Sapulpa before you know it. Chief Sapulpa, a Creek Indian, arrived here from Alabama in 1850 and established a trading post near the present-day downtown area. When the railroad arrived in 1886, they called the new line Sapulpa Station in his honor.

Oklahoma’s oil and gas industry has played a major role in Sapulpa’s growth and prosperity. The famous Glen Pool oil field was just eight miles southeast of Sapulpa. On the west side of Sapulpa you can drive a three-mile loop of the original concrete Route 66.        

            Frankoma Pottery is Sapulpa’s most famous business. The Frank family has been creating their famous wares since the 1930s, and their pottery has been a popular collectible for many years, and remains so today.

 Next up is “The Oil City,” Tulsa, well known for its Art Deco architecture and style.

Tulsa’s Cyrus S. Avery Memorial Bridge, built in 1916, is dedicated to the “Father” of Route 66. Closed to all traffic, it thankfully has avoided demolition. At 11^th Street and Elgin stands the Old Warehouse Market, another Art Deco beauty. The classic Meadow Gold neon sign, saved from the wrecking ball and recently restored, sits atop a memorial at 11^th Street and Quaker Avenue.

Tulsa’ downtown churches are inspiring. The architecture found in the Boston Avenue Church and The Holy Family Cathedral is truly spectacular. Plan to spend lots of time exploring downtown Tulsa if you appreciate Art Deco. Walking tours are available.

Just a short drive south of Route 66 at 21^st and Yale is the Tulsa State Fairgrounds, with the famous gold “Driller” standing out front. A long-time Tulsa icon and landmark, this statue is a must-see. The Pavilion boasts significant examples of terra cotta art deco in agricultural motifs.

            Perhaps the most famous Route 66 icon is the Blue Whale, located in Catoosa.  Originally a private swimming hole, it was later opened to the public until finally closing in 1988. Built by Hugh Davis as an anniversary gift to his wife, Zelta, the significance of the landmark has secured its spot along the Mother Road.

            Across the highway from the Blue Whale is the Arrowood Trading Post. Also built by Hugh Davis along with Chief Wolf Robe Hunt, the trading post was originally named Catoosa Indian Trading Post.

Up the road is Claremore, home to the J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum, the Will Rogers Memorial, and the Oklahoma Military Academy Museum.

            As a tribute to Oklahoma’s “native son,” the Will Rogers Memorial sits atop a hill overlooking Claremore. It was intended to be a home site, but now serves as a museum and archive. The Will Rogers Theater plays some of his old movies. It is difficult to imagine now the power of celebrity that Will Rogers achieved in his too-short lifetime, which ended in a tragic plane crash with fellow Oklahoman Wiley Post. At his peak, Rogers was performing to sell-out crowds in live theaters, was the number one box office star in Hollywood, wrote a daily column in hundreds of newspapers, and was the voice of the common man on the radio. All elements are contained here in the memorial and museum, including Rogers’ tomb.

            One of the most unique attractions in the United States is the J.M. Davis Gun Museum. Here is the largest privately held gun collection in the world, some 20,000 firearms and firearm-related items. It houses guns from all over the world, including Kentucky rifles, a Gatling gun, black powder guns of all kinds, cannons, rare Colts, Winchesters, as well as elephant and whaling guns.

Also located in Claremore is the Oklahoma Military Academy, on the grounds of what is now Rogers State University. Founded in 1919, OMA operated until 1971, when the Oklahoma Legislature replaced it with Claremore Junior College, now evolved into the present day Rogers State University. More than 2,500 OMA graduates served their country during WWII and the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

 Near Foyil is the world’s largest Totem Pole, 90 feet tall. It was built by Ed Galloway, a master wood carver, who could make “anything out of nothing.” Totem Pole Park is located four miles east of Foyil on OK 28A, just a short detour off Route 66. Galloway carved over 300 violins to showcase his collection of exotic woods. To this day, only 100 hang in the multi-sided “Fiddle House” – after his death in 1962, 200 of the fiddles were stolen and have never been recovered.

            Located over I-44 near Vinita is the largest MacDonald’s in the United States. Once the largest MacDonald’s in the world, Guangzhou, China now claims that title. Spanning every lane of I-44, the MacDonald’s provides a unique dining experience, to say the least! Huge semi-trailers rushing by at 70 mph just under your feet offers an exhilarating experience.

Miami’s Coleman Theater is a state treasure. Built by George Coleman Sr., the theater opened in April, 1929. Since then, the theater has never been closed. The Coleman family donated the theater to the town of Miami in 1989, provided the city would restore it. The city did just that, saving a priceless treasure for future generations. The main theater boasts a magnificent one-ton chandelier that changes colors. The Wurlitzer Pipe Organ still sounds spectacular, and the opulent gold trim found throughout the theater is amazing. Fully restored, this theater is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Miami also has the last section of the original nine-foot-wide “Ribbon Road,” listed as an Oklahoma National Landmark.

Also in Miami is Northeastern A&M College. One of the top junior college football programs in the country plays here, and the school is home to American Legion Boys State.

We highly recommend the Koo Koo burgers in Miami.

            There is plenty more to see and do in Oklahoma. There are guidebooks to help you with your Route 66 travels, and the Internet is also a wealth of information. Just take the road less traveled, take your time, and enjoy all you see on your journeys.