Route 66: The Oklahoma City Area

For a road that's been considered the Mother Road since Steinbecks "Grapes Of Wrath" in 1939, she is poorly maintained in areas. While "big business" in Oklahoma City has been directed to BrickTown, and the Canal has been built, some of our other historical areas around the City are being neglected and forgotten; mainly Route 66.

There is a stretch of Route 66 that runs from Chandler to El Reno that Id like to welcome you to. Strips of the original Mother Road are broken up by big highways and developments, but the road is still easy to maneuver. It is very close to the beginning width in places...original bridges are narrower than the ones of today, you have to use extra caution. This stretch of Route 66 has a lot of surprise scenic views along the way also, but also some major potholes and puckered up pavement.

There are many colorful stops, people to meet and enjoy along the way. These are really my people, I sound "just like em", we like the same foods, and enjoy the same stories. This is an insiders' view of that strip of road.

*Chandler Oklahoma was formed in the 1891 Land Run, and later became an Oil Boom Town. Route 66 is part of the main street, and the town is mainly covered in brick roads. There are some steep hills that run through the area, and that red clay dirt hosts a lot of fauna and wildlife. This region is green with meadows and trees, After the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, Bermuda grass from the area was used to reseed counties in western Oklahoma. Also, for a winter wonderland feeling, Chandlers Christmas parade can't be beat...For a small town, they really know how to welcome Santa, he's always on the firetruck, waving at kids, then socializing after. I saw him there when I was a little girl, my son saw him there, and next Christmas maybe my grandkids will see Santa there too!

Along the road is a series of Murals, a restored Phillips 66 gas station, P.J.'s Bar-b-que. West of town is the last remaining painted barn adverting Meramec Caverns (all the way in Missouri).

While you are in the area, check out the Museum of Pioneer History, or visit the graveside of famed Deputy U.S. Marshal, Bill Tilghman, who was a nearby homesteader, Sheriff, and State Senator. He was also part of the last "old-west" gunfight.

*Warwick is just down the road...it's nearly a ghost town now, with a few historical buildings. There is the Seaba Station, established in 1924, it's a very unique building that served as a garage and service station for many of the early years. Today, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There is also the Historic School nearby. While you're there, look for the two pony truss bridges, one at State Highway 66B, and the other right on old Route 66.

Not to get off the subject, but there is a creek there that is a tributary of the Deep Fork River, I knew of a private spot there, that Id go and sit and sunbathe while my son waded on the shore and caught crawdads. Sometimes we'd try to fish, but you could just about spit across the creek, there are some good catfish holes down a ways though.

*The Next stop is Luther, be sure to stop at the Tres Suenos Vineyards and Winery. They have free wine tastings, plus you can tour on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. This is some of the prettiest country too, but watch out for poison ivy, its fairly thick in central Oklahoma.

*Arcadia is also just a bit west of Chandler, still on Route 66, it is the home of The Round Barn. A rare structure built in 1898 by William Harrison Odor, a true visionary. While you're there, don't miss HillBillee's BBQ. If there is one thing us Okies like, it's a good BBQ stand. The last time I was on this stretch of road (on the hawg). I ended up with bruises on my bottom, from the bumps in the road.

*In Oklahoma City, you may consider a little detour while you are so close. The Frontier City Theme Park is right out of the old west, with its western storefronts, and saloons. Be sure to leave a whole day for the park, and maybe part of the night too...In the summer they have a concert lineup, that would surprise you.

Now on a personal note, I was in the "Frontier City Tornado" when it hit Saturday, June 13, 1998. I had just arrived when the Tornado appeared, and ended up hanging onto a pole as glass sprayed in from the skylights. It was an F2 tornado that skipped around the north part of the city, and did about 3 million dollars worth of damage to the theme park. Perhaps I'll share that in the future.

Also while in Oklahoma City, see the Governors Mansion, theHarn homestead Museum, and the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, and Western Heritage Center. There you will see some authentic John Wayne Memorabilia, Rodeo and TV memorabilia. We have so many stars that have started out here in Oklahoma a lot of them are showcased in the museum.

The Skirvin Hotel (downtown), built in 1910, has recently reopened, ghosts and all. If you want a night of historic luxury, you might try staying there and see if you see the ghostly woman who jumped from the balcony many years ago.

*Bethany (a suburb of OKC) is next on your tour, downtown Bethany has a stringent speed zone, but also is the home of many delightful shops. Several Antique Stores are in this area if you like to shop, plus a bed and Breakfast. Judy's Antiques is a fine place to find outstanding antique furniture! They also host a large variety of reproduction pieces. Over another block you have the Apple Barrel Antique Mall, and several other specialty shops. On your way out of town, you will see Jim's Diner, and old café that hasn't changed much since the 60's. Horny Lights is a fairly new Motorcycle shop, where if you are traveling on the Hawg and want to pop in for some merchandise, or repairs, this is the place.

*Yukon is the home of Garth Brooks and they are proud. Most of my out of town guests, want to have their picture taken next to one of the "Garth Brooks Blvd" signs. This is also an area that has Czech Festival once a year, oh my, the food is delicious! They also have a big Christmas celebration that impressive, watch your speed here, as they have zero tolerance for people who want to race through their town.

*Before El Reno became a town, Jesse Chisholm established the Chisholm Trail in 1866, where herds were driven from Texas to Kansas to shipment. Then it was established as Fort El Reno in 1874, in the attempt to subdue the Cheyenne Indians. Later it served as a POW camp during World War II.

Now If you're hungry, don't miss Johnnie's Grill, famous since the 1920's for its Fried Onion Burgers. Johnnie's cooks up the "World's Largest Hamburger," a 750-pound giant, on the first weekend in May (if you're hungry). El Reno also has a trolley that tours the downtown area, and you can also visit the CanadianCountyHistoricalMuseum and HeritagePark. If you feel like gambling a bit, there is a Casino a few miles north, or continue West and go to Clintons Oklahoma Route 66 Museum.

We are very proud of the area in which we live, its pioneering history and legends. We are proud of the people who have came from our great state, people like:

Johnny Bench

Garth Brooks

James Garner

Vince Gill

Woody Guthrie

Paul Harvey

Ron Howard

Mickey Mantle

Reba McEntire

Shannon Miller

Brad Pitt

Tony Randall

Will Rogers

Plus the New Miss America, Lauren Nelson!

So keep your eyes open while you visit us, you never know who you might run into around here. This is just a partial guide to the things there are to see here on Route 66. Once again; if you are on a motorcycle, this stretch of road has some wear but it's definitely is worth the bumps.

In my opinion we have spent more than enough money building up the "Bricktown" area, It looks fabulous, and is fun to ride through on the bike. In the meantime though, there is a stretch of road that keeps calling to people from all over the world, it's called The Mother Road and I think it's time to take care of our mother.

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