Come and meet one of the larger than life characters on the entire route,
Located in downtown Erick, this unusual shop offers an experience and atmosphere not soon forgotten. Self-described "redneck hoarder" Harley Russell performs live, spontaneously and interactively for all those who visit the shop. Guests will find turn-of-the-century oak furniture, a variety of artwork, vintage musical instruments and a variety of objects both curious and fascinating. The Sandhills Curiosity Shop, known as the oldest brick building in Erick, can accommodate up to 75 people. Visitors can catch Harley on various days performing for singles, couples, families, tour bus groups and more. Refreshments are free, along with plenty of photo-ops. The Sandhills Curiosity Shop is considered one of the most unique roadside establishments along Route 66.
Note: A visit to the Sandhills Curiosity Shop can be for mature audiences only. Some travelers may find the language and conversations offensive.
The Gold Dome Building, famous for its unique architecture, is a geodesic dome and major landmark along historic Route 66. Located on the southern end of Oklahoma City's Asian district, the Gold Dome building was constructed in 1958 and originally housed Citizens State Bank. Throughout its history, the Gold Dome has housed a cultural center, art gallery, office space and restaurant.
The Gold Dome Building was the fifth geodesic dome constructed in the world and was described as one of the nation's most revolutionary bank designs at the time of construction. Buckminister Fuller, the famous futurist and architect, is responsible for the Gold Dome's design. This unusual Oklahoma City landmark is constructed out of 625 individual panels.
The "Old Round Barn" in Arcadia was built in 1898 alongside what later became Route 66. After 90 years of existence, the barn's roof collapsed in 1988, causing structural damage. With the efforts of Luke Robison, a retired contractor from Oklahoma City and help from volunteers known as the over-the-hill-gang, so named because most were over 65 years of age, this landmark treasure was restored and officially opened to the public in 1992.
The Round Barn was listed in the National Register of Historical Places in 1977 and is the only wooden round barn in Oklahoma. Exhibits and a gift shop are located inside, while outdoor displays consist of primitive farm implements. The Round Barn also houses the Arcadia Historical and Preservation Society.
A trip down historic Route 66 in Oklahoma isn't complete without a stop at the unique and colorful POPS. Located in Arcadia just east of Edmond, POPS is an iconic addition along the Mother Road. Its ultra-modern architecture of red rock and steel trusses is a draw for visitors from across the nation. A four-ton, 66-foot sculpture of a soda bottle covered in dazzling multi-colored LED lights in front of POPS can't be missed and pays tribute to the main attraction at POPS: over 600 kinds of soda. From berry soda to classic cola, POPS has it all.
POPS also features a gas station, and visitors can fill up their tanks before getting back on Route 66. Visitors can also fill up on food in the old-fashioned diner at POPS. Lunch and dinner are served daily, with delicious options such as salads, hamburgers and chicken fried steak. Breakfast is also served every weekend. Top off your meal with a hand-dipped ice cream milkshake, malt or float. After a visit to POPS, you're sure to greet Route 66 with a smile.
The Outdoor Symbolic Memorial stands on the now-sacred ground where the events of April 19, 1995, unfolded. What was once the footprint of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, Fifth Street, the Athenian Building and Oklahoma Water Resources Board are now the Field of Empty Chairs, Reflecting Pool and Rescuers’ Orchard.
Local artist Carlos Barboza created an eye-catching mural on the side of Yukon's Best Flour mill elevator. Stop by this Route 66 mural, and discover pieces of town history painted on the mill elevator's walls. Barboza added town icons like a Czech queen, the original Miller mascot and Garth Brooks to the Yukon's Best Flour Mill Silos Mural. Snap a photo in front of this local mural, and see how many local legends you recognize.
The Milk Bottle Grocery building in Oklahoma City's Asian District is a fun and unique Route 66 landmark. The wedge-shaped building was constructed in the 1930s, but the giant milk bottle on top that makes it a popular photo stop along the Mother Road was not added until 1948. Fifty years later, it was accepted as a historic site and added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The building itself has been home to many businesses including a cleaners, sandwich shop, fruit market, grocery store, barbecue shack and a realty office. Located only a few feet from Classen Boulevard, it is seen by thousands of people every day as they drive through Oklahoma City on Route 66. As a result, many dairy companies have paid to have their logo painted on the giant milk bottle as a form of advertising including the Oklahoma dairy and fast food company, Braum's.
Located off historic Route 66 in northeast Oklahoma, the Coleman Theatre is an iconic piece of Oklahoma history. From the day it opened in 1929, this legendary theater has been entertaining audiences with impressive theatrical productions and structural beauty.
The Miami landmark began as a Vaudeville movie theater built by George L. Coleman Sr. The exterior architecture is Spanish Mission Revival, and terra cotta gargoyles and other hand-carved figures adorn the building facade. The elegant Louis XV interior includes gold leaf trim, silk damask panels, stained glass panels, a carved mahogany staircase, a 2,000-pound chandelier, decorative plaster moldings and railings.
The theater was donated to the city of Miami by the Coleman family in 1989. Over the years the Coleman Theatre has been renovated and is every bit as beautiful as it was in 1929. A highlight of the building is the original pipe organ, called "The Mighty Wurlitzer," which continues to fill the beautiful theater with terrific music today. The theater presents a variety of exceptional entertainment year-round. Entertainment at the theater includes ballet, opera, silent films, jazz and dance bands as well as community pageants and events.g.
The Ed Galloway Totem Pole Park is a Route 66 icon and home of "The World's Largest Concrete Totem Pole." One of Oklahoma's landmarks, it has been featured in several important articles and books on environmental folk art and Route 66 lore. In 1999, the park was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Ed Galloway spent his retirement years building a unique park, a monument to the American Indian from stone, concrete and his imagination. The centerpiece is a giant Totem Pole building supported by an enormous concrete turtle. Nearby is a "Fiddle House" which houses a display of Galloway's hand-crafted fiddles and other inlaid wood artifacts. Roadside tables supported by small concrete totems invite travelers to picnic in the shadow of the large totem pole.
The Blue Whale of Catoosa has become a beloved historic landmark along Route 66. The Blue Whale was originally built by Hugh S. Davis, a zoologist and family man who envisioned the whale as a special place where his grandchildren could play and swim in the nearby pond. His sketches of the mammal grew until they reached 20 feet tall and 80 feet long. With the help of a friend, Harold Thomas, the duo spent two years welding the metal framework and applying the hand-mixed cement, one five-gallon bucket at a time.
After the whale's completion in July 1972, it attracted visitors from all over and became a place where people swam, fished and picnicked. It is still owned and operated by Davis' daughter, though swimming is no longer available. Over the years, there have been many efforts to refurbish the whale with new paint and facilities.
Pack a picnic lunch and head to the Blue Whale for a fun-filled day of fishing. This quirky attraction also has seasonal restroom facilities. Explore the different angles of this jovial concrete mammal and you'll find a small ladder leading into a secret compartment in the whale's head. This area has been a family favorite for generations and continues to be a must-see for any traveler on Route 66
Allen's Conoco Fillin' Station in Commerce was built in 1929 or 1930 by F.D. Mitchell as a place for travelers to stop along the newly paved Route 66. While it served Conoco fuel gas for the first few years it was open, it became a Phillips 66 Gas Station in 1938. It is rumored that Bonnie & Clyde may have stopped for gas here.
Also known as the "Hole in the Wall Conoco Station," it was closed for many years but was purchased and refurbished as a beloved photo op known for its vibrant green paint with red trim.
The Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore features art and artifacts pertaining to the life of Oklahoma's favorite son, Will Rogers. Explore 12 galleries in the expansive 16,652 sq. ft. museum and you'll find countless photographs and manuscripts documenting Will Rogers' life as a trick roper, Vaudeville performer, movie star, radio commentator, newspaper columnist, author and philosopher.
See original artwork by Charles Russell, Jo Davidson, Electra Waggoner, Wayne Cooper, Charles Banks Wilson and Count Tamburini. Check out the children's area or browse through Will Rogers' artifacts, memorabilia, saddle collection and the 2,400 sq. ft. research library and archives. Classic Will Rogers movies also play in the museum daily.
The site of the museum was originally acquired by Will Rogers to build a retirement home and was donated by his family after his passing. The grounds contain the tomb of Will Rogers chiseled with his famous quotation: "I never met a man I didn't like." The museum also contains a gift shop with books, CDs, videos, art and scores of souvenir items. Visitors can take a virtual tour of the museum grounds and historic sites along Claremore's Main Street online at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum website.
The state's official showcase of Route 66, operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society, offers visitors a spirited tour of pure Americana in Clinton. Focusing on transportation and the complete history of Route 66, exhibits at this museum begin with "the world's largest curio cabinet" offering special treasures collected from along the route. Each exhibit room is flavored by the legendary music in keeping with its particular theme, like "Will Rogers Highway" by native son Woody Guthrie and the Eagles' "Hotel California."
Along the way, visitors will see vehicles and hear music while experiencing the history and culture of each decade concerning road construction, transportation, lodging, restaurants, garages, curio shops, attractions and other artifacts, graphics and videos. At the end of their trip down the "Main Street of America," visitors catch their breath in the theater before stopping in the "Curio" gift shop with its wide selection of signs, books, videos, clothing, toys, games and other mementos.
Located in a former site of a 1950s PEMCO gas station, Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on 66 welcomes visitors from all over to celebrate the magic of the Mother Road with apparel, toys, souvenirs, home accessories, art, jewelry and more. Stop by this unique retailer for a fun photo op with the 21-foot-tall Muffler Man, Buck Atom, space cowboy. The hardworking cowboy shows up on signage, buttons, coffee mugs and tees throughout the shop, which is open six days a week. Come browse one-of-a-kind Oklahoma gifts showcasing Route 66, Bigfoot, Tulsa, Will Rogers, the Blue Whale and the Golden Driller at this gem of a store in Tulsa’s Meadow Gold District. Come hungry and eat at Tulsa Brisket Co food truck parked on Buck’s lot, which is typically open Wednesday through Saturday starting at 11am until sold out. Make your trip to Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on 66 even better with an overnight stay at Buck's Cosmic Crash Pad, an AirBnB behind the shop.
Relive the early days of railroad transportation by visiting Tulsa’s Route 66 Historical Village Train and Depot. Built in Pennsylvania in 1942, the Frisco Meteor 4500 Steam Engine pulled a passenger train from St. Louis through Tulsa to Oklahoma City and back until 1947. Starting in 1948, the engine was used to pull freight trains until it retired around 1950. Volunteers from the Townwest Sertoma Club restored the engine to exhibit condition after it retired from its daily route. If you run into one of the “railroad men” during your visit, feel free to strike up a conversation to learn about their expertise and future plans for the village.
A replica of an 1883 depot, the Red Fork Depot is a newly constructed museum and event center built next to the restored steam engine. Walk the depot’s platform to see the locomotive up close and hear the hiss of the steam power. The original Red Fork Depot began operating in Indian Territory in 1883. Less than a mile away from the site of the replica, the depot became a hub for cattle drivers crossing the Arkansas River to Kansas and for oil workers after deposits were discovered in the area. Train enthusiasts, history buffs and families will find glimpses of history and unique displays at the Route 66 Historical Village.
While these interesting and beautiful sculptures do not represent the literal halfway mark along the Mother Road, the East Meets West: Symbolic Route 66 Midpoint in Tulsa is an artistic representation of the use of automobiles and highways spreading across the country in the late 1920s and 30s.
The scene consists of two statues, one of a horse-drawn carriage and one of a family in a car. Located at the Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza, they were unveiled in 2012 and honor Cyrus Avery, one of the creators of the national highway system.
The family depicted in the car is none other than Avery's family. He, his wife, his daughter and their pet cat are all in the Model T traveling down Route 66. They suddenly come across an oil field waggoneer whose team of horses are scared by the new sounds of a combustion engine.
The statues span 40 feet and weigh 10 tons. Almost 1,000 pieces of bronze were put together to create the scene. In the end, this plaza cost $1.2 million and took six years to complete. The statues are also right by a large bridge spanning over the highway that proclaims it as Route 66.
Local business PremierCraft designed a special El Reno Mother Road Monument for the city in 2018. While exploring Route 66, stretch your legs with a stop by this roadside attraction, conveniently located near Sid's Diner. Take a commemorative photo in front of this massive monument bearing the familiar Route 66 trademark.
Constructed in 1911, the Beckham County Courthouse is famous for its appearance in the classic 1940 movie "The Grapes of Wrath." Featuring a blend of neo-classical and Renaissance revival styles, the Beckham County Courthouse is one of the few courthouses in the state topped by a large dome. This fully operational courthouse remains the center of civic and legal activity in the surrounding community.
The landmark building stands tall in Sayre's main square overlooking the historic Mother Road. When Route 66 was routed through Sayre in 1928, the courthouse had already been serving the public for nearly 20 years. It was then that the town of Sayre began serving the steady stream of travelers exploring the country in automobiles on the east to west section of Route 66.
The brick courthouse is three stories and features Doric columns, wide pilasters and a third-floor cornice of copper sheeting. Twelve large columns support the larger clock dome, while twelve smaller columns support a smaller dome above. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, the courthouse was designed by the architectural firm of Layton, Smith and Hawk..
Lucille's Service Station, a classic and historic gas station along Route 66 near Hydro, is one of only two upper-story, out-thrust porch style stations left on Oklahoma's stretch of Route 66. Built in 1929 by Carl Ditmore, the service station was renamed by Provine Station in the 1930s. In 1941, the Hamons family took over the operation of the station and Lucille Hamons, for which the service station is named, ran the business for 60 years. Lucille, who quickly became known for her friendly assistance to motorists, earned the nickname "Mother of the Mother Road."
Lucille's Service Station is one of similar rural service stations that sprung up in the late 1920s in response to increasing automobile travel across the country. This mom-and-pop station was built with the owner's living quarters located above the service station and exists as an interpretation of the Bungalow Craftsman style popular during construction. Lucille's Service Station features an open service bay supported by tapered piers and vintage gas pumps.
In 1971, the completion of I-40 cut Lucille's off from direct access to the new highway, but Lucille kept the station running until the day she died on August 18, 2000. While the service station is no longer in operation, visitors are welcome to stop by for a photo of this unique slice of Americana. The outside of the service station has been restored and an historical marker on-site recounts the tale of the family that lived there and ran the station for years. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997, Lucille's still attracts tourists and Route 66 enthusiasts from around the world.
Lucille's Roadhouse, a Route 66 themed restaurant in Weatherford, was inspired by the original Lucille's Service Station..
A beloved Tulsa landmark since 1966, the Golden Driller is a one-of-a-kind monument near historic Route 66. Weighing in at a whopping 43,500 pounds and standing 76 feet tall, the Golden Driller is one of the tallest freestanding statues in the United States.
The Driller was first erected by the Mid-Continental Supply Company at the 1953 International Petroleum Exposition. After receiving glowing reviews, it was temporarily brought back for the 1959 trade show as well. Following the show, the statue was donated to the Tulsa County Fairgrounds Trust Authority. In 1979, the Golden Driller was even adopted as the state monument.
Throughout the years, the Golden Driller has withstood all sorts of weather, as has the oil derrick where the Driller's right hand rests. A plaque at the base of the monument reads "The Golden Driller, a symbol of the International Petroleum Exposition. Dedicated to the men of the petroleum industry who by their vision and daring have created from God's abundance a better life for mankind.
Located along historic Southwest Boulevard in Tulsa, the Route 66 Historical Village is an open-air museum with fully restored remnants from the city's early days. Visitors driving along Route 66 or I-244 can't miss this fun attraction, which seeks to educate and inspire others to learn the history of Tulsa's oil, refining and transportation industries.
Grab your camera and make a pit stop at the Route 66 Historical Village to see a restored Frisco 4500 Steam Engine, passenger car, caboose and oil derrick. The oil derrick stands 194 feet high and is the historic site of the first oil strike on June 25, 1901 that makes Tulsa the "Oil Capital of the World."
The Route 66 Historical Village also includes the Route 66 Village Station, a tourism information center modeled after a 1920s-1930s gas station. Take a break from driving and admire the Phillips 66 cottage-style architectural design. Step inside the Route 66 Village Station to relax at the coffee bar, use the restrooms and view the giant Route 66 map. .
W Housed in the former Seaba Filling Station and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this Route 66 landmark is now filled with over 65 vintage motorcycles from 1908 to present. The Seaba Station was built in 1921, five years before historic Route 66 was certified as a national highway. Visit the Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum in Warwick to browse through motorcycle displays, antiques, souvenirs and more. .
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