Historic Route 66, also known as State Highway 66, crosses Rogers County from northeast to southwest. This route connects different facets for trip planning: historic sites and museums sit alongside waterside recreation and cycling routes. Those interested in the cultural history of the route will find specific insights here, as will travelers looking to explore the landscape and recreational activities.
Cultural Traces Along Route 66
Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park is a historic park along Route 66 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In Oklahoma, it is considered the oldest and largest example of a folk art environment. The park’s Fiddle House displays Galloway’s fiddles and other works he created himself. The park, art environment, and collection make this place a distinct chapter in the region’s cultural history.
The Route 66 Pedestrian Underpass Mural also draws on history, this time through Chelsea: The mural depicts, among other things, a 1930s gas station and the Hogue House. It is also located in one of the few open underpasses on Oklahoma’s Mother Road. Here, the route appears not just as a road name, but also as the setting for a work of art with specific connections to the place.
Will Rogers and the History of the Museums
In Claremore, the Will Rogers Memorial Museum opened to the public on November 4, 1938. It houses the world’s largest collection of Will Rogers memorabilia. The Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch offers a different perspective: It includes a historic Greek Revival-style house and a 162-acre working ranch. Will Rogers was born in the two-story house with log walls, built in 1875 in the Cooweescoowee District of the Cherokee Nation. The house in Oologah, known as “The White House on the Verdigris,” is a rare surviving example of buildings on the frontier of the former Indian Territory.
The J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum combines a large collection with a family-friendly journey through history. It houses more than 12,000 firearms as well as thousands of non-firearm artifacts, displayed using multimedia exhibits. Two other museums in Claremore explore different historical topics: The Claremore Museum of History is housed in the former Will Rogers Library and features a Lynn Riggs Memorial Exhibit and a Radium Water Exhibit. The Oklahoma Military Academy Museum tells the story of more than 10,000 cadets who attended the school from 1919 until it closed in 1971. It is located in Meyer Hall, a former academy barracks listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In Catoosa, the Historical Museum is housed in the old railroad depot.
Water and Bike Trails
Oologah Lake brings together a variety of recreational activities: The lake offers fishing opportunities and wide expanses of water suitable for sailing. Recreational amenities also include a swimming beach and mountain biking opportunities. The Oologah Public Hunting Area covers nearly 13,000 acres and is managed by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
For cyclists, the offerings described differ mainly in route length and use. The Claremore Mountain Bike Trails provide 16 miles for mountain biking. At Claremore Lake, there are more than four miles of paved trails for walking and cycling. The Claremore Mountain Bike Trails are intended for mountain biking; at Claremore Lake, the more than four paved miles are trails for walking and cycling.
Seasonal Offerings
The Rogers County Farmers Market offers seasonal fruits and vegetables, beef, pork, and lamb, eggs, honey, baked goods, and homemade crafts. The products and goods available may vary by season. The market complements the museums, historic sites, and waterside activities with a glimpse of local food and crafts.
Rogers County therefore brings together several different ways to explore: Route 66 history and art, collections and historic buildings, as well as activities centered on water and cycling. The specific differences between these themes can help you choose the focus of your stay.
Discover more destinations: Claremore, Catoosa, Noble County, Delaware County, Garvin County, Washita County, Choctaw, Mccurtain County
For the broader travel overview: Oklahoma.
