An original launch vehicle for a Titan II rocket, a 122-foot rotor blade, and treasures collected along Route 66 show the variety of topics on offer: space exploration, wind energy, and regional history. There are also parks with a range of recreational opportunities and the Washita National Wildlife Refuge in Custer County. Culture, technology, and nature offer different perspectives on the destinations described here.
Museums covering space exploration, wind energy, and everyday life
The Stafford Air & Space Museum displays an original launch vehicle for a Titan II rocket. It is named after Lieutenant General Thomas P. Stafford, who was born in Weatherford. This brings a specific exhibit and the namesake’s origins together: one way in through space technology, and another through the connection to a person from Weatherford.
The Weatherford Wind Energy Center is across from City Hall. It displays an original wind turbine blade measuring 122 feet long and also provides a brief description of the wind energy industry. At the Heartland of America Museum, topics range from wheat and cattle farms to Route 66 landmarks and local businesses, as well as historic cars, tractors, and the history of radio, television, and technology. Music and art are also featured. The museums bring economic, technical, and cultural subjects together.
Route 66 and regional history
Clinton is located on historic Route 66. It is home to the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, whose exhibit begins with the “world’s largest curio cabinet.” It features distinctive treasures collected along the route. The history and culture of each decade are also brought to life through vehicles, music, artifacts, graphics, and videos. Here, Route 66 is represented not only by a road name, but also by collection pieces and a range of media.
The Blair Log Cabin offers a specific connection to the history of the Land Run: the Western Oklahoma Historical Center cares for the cabin, which stood on the land claim filed by William Blair during the Land Run. The named claim connects a building with a particular person and a historical event. Different aspects also come together at McLain Rogers Park. The park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and includes an outdoor amphitheater with 400 seats. It is one of only two surviving amphitheaters of its kind in Oklahoma.
Acme Brick Park was developed on the former site of the Acme Brick Plant after the City of Clinton purchased the property and its former factory buildings. Its former industrial use and present-day recreational offerings mark different chapters in the same location. A roughly one-mile nature trail runs around two stocked fishing ponds.
Trails and outdoor activities
A replica of the C. P. Huntington carries visitors along a roughly one-mile route over a bridge across the lake and through a dark tunnel. Acme Brick Park offers a similarly long route on its nature trail, but with a different focus: the path goes around two ponds. This presents a ride featuring a bridge and tunnel alongside a waterside trail as two different experiences.
Activities at Foss State Park include hiking, biking, disc golf, horseback riding, fishing, and camping. The park also has an equestrian camp with a multi-use trail for horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking. The options range from individual sports to a trail designed for multiple uses. Which of these options should take priority depends on whether you are looking for a particular trail or a variety of outdoor activities.
The Washita National Wildlife Refuge is an area for outdoor activities in Custer County. The 8,200-acre refuge lies on the northern part of Foss Reservoir. Its nature trail is an accessible loop about 0.54 kilometers long. Together with the roughly one-mile trail at Acme Brick Park, this loop offers another, considerably shorter distance to help you choose a trail.
Discover more destinations: Clinton, Weatherford, Canadian County, Stephens, Texas, Adair County, McCurtain County, Carter County.
For the main travel overview: Oklahoma.
