North Miami connects the history of Route 66 with lead and zinc mining in northeastern Oklahoma. During the mining era, many miners lived in the town.
North Miami on Route 66
In Oklahoma, Route 66 passed through Quapaw, Commerce, North Miami, Miami, Narcissa, and Afton. North Miami is located four miles north of Miami on U.S. Highway 69, the historic U.S. Highway 66. This makes the town part of a clearly defined route that connects several stops in Oklahoma.
The stretch between Miami and Afton also has a distinctive historical feature: it is the only section in Oklahoma that is nine feet wide.
Rail Connections and Mining
A second transportation story is tied to the former railroad connection. The Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri Inter-Urban Railway (OK&M) ran through North Miami toward Commerce and other mining sites. It served the lead and zinc mining industry and built its line in 1908–09. This places the railway line in the regional mining history in both chronological and economic terms.
Following construction of the line in 1908–09, the Northeast Oklahoma Railroad (NEO) purchased the OK&M in 1919 as part of the region's railway history.
Mining in the Regional Context
Extensive lead and zinc ore mining took place in northeastern Oklahoma from the early 20th century through the late 1970s. In North Miami, the mining era is also connected with the people who lived there: many miners made their homes in the town. In Ottawa County, North Miami was one of the most important towns in the mining area within the Tar Creek site.
Mining in northeastern Oklahoma continued through the late 1970s, while large-scale mining at the Tar Creek site had already ended by the mid-1960s. The Oklahoma portion of the Tar Creek Superfund Site is part of the former Tri-State Mining Area.
Local History and Naming
The town's geographical context extends beyond transportation and industrial history. North Miami is located approximately along the boundary between the area the federal government assigned to the Quapaw Tribe in the north and the Peoria Tribe in the south.
The post office's history adds another layer to the local timeline. Commerce's first post office was initially named North Miami in 1914; the name was changed shortly afterward. North Miami itself received this postal designation in 1915.
Choose North Miami as Your Destination
When looking for hotels in North Miami, you can choose your destination based on your travel interests: Is your focus Route 66 or the history of mining in northeastern Oklahoma? The roads, railway, and local connections mentioned above provide a concrete historical context. You can then choose accommodation to suit your own travel plans.
For the broader travel overview: Ottawa.
