Route 66 in the News
Oklahoma 66 Offers Many Attractions
2008-07-13 19:31:35
Some Oklahomans think of Route 66 in the past tense, as if to say it used to be America's Main Street or the Mother Road was the ultimate road trip. But I recently experienced first-hand how much charm and personality this iconic highway still boasts.
After exploring a stretch of Route 66 from Arcadia to Sapulpa, it was clear that the Mother Road is undergoing a quiet revitalization which is getting more attention across the nation and around the world, yet seems to be going unnoticed by the average Oklahoman. This undercurrent is propelled by efforts to preserve and restore some historic icons. There are also new landmarks rising up on the horizon.
Route 66 personalities such as Dawn Welch, owner of the Rock Cafe in Stroud, or "Mr. Sam,” historian and tour-guide extraordinaire at the Round Barn in Arcadia, are what turn this stretch of pavement into an unforgettable road trip.
My Route 66 road trip began in Arcadia at POPS, an ultramodern gas station that opened last year and is home to more than 700 varieties of soda pop, as well as delectable shakes and malts. This is quickly becoming the route's newest icon with visitors from near and far stopping in to check out the restaurant, select a sweet treat from the soda fountain and shake shop, fill their gas tanks or just photograph the building's incredible architecture. Arriving from either the east or west, you won't be able to miss the 40-ton, 66-foot tall LED-lit pop bottle sculpture that marks the entrance.
Not only does the town of Arcadia boast Route 66's newest and most modern landmark, it is also home to the historic Round Barn. You won't get backed into a corner at this 1898 historic building. This winner of the 1992 National Preservation Honor Award is open to the public for tours and has been beautifully and painstakingly restored. The structure is 60 feet in diameter and is two stories tall. My favorite part is the woven woodwork pattern of the barn roof as viewed from inside the second story. If you play your cards right, local rancher and historian "Mr. Sam” may even be on hand to share the stories of this barn and how it symbolizes the spirit of Oklahoma's pioneer past.
Down the road in Chandler is the Route 66 Interpretive Center. This interactive museum is housed in a 70-year-old National Guard armory which has been renovated to honor Route 66 and Oklahoma's veterans. Recognized as the outstanding Route 66 restoration of the year, the Interpretive Center was designed by Hans Butzer and is not your typical museum experience. The exhibits include video vignettes featuring stories and nostalgia of the Mother Road which can be viewed from Jeep and Mustang seats, or by lying down on beds that resemble the quirky motels travelers stayed in during the heyday of Route 66.
After my informative stop at the Interpretive Center, the road was once again calling as we headed to Stroud. Located right on Route 66 is StableRidge Vineyards, where owners Don and Annetta Neal welcome you like family. The winery gift shop and tasting room are in an old Catholic church that survived several tornadoes. It provides a cozy place to taste the award-winning wines and new "winearita” — a tasty take on the margarita. But be sure not to overindulge, as there's still lots to see and do on the road trip.
While also in Stroud, you'll notice that one of Route 66's most famous stops, the Rock Cafe, recently suffered a tragic fire. The historic rock structure is now a burnt shell, but thanks to resilient owner Welch and her family, it will be rebuilt and back in business serving up an eclectic international menu to Route 66 patrons. The pioneering spirit of our state and of the Mother Road is encapsulated in those rock walls and will not be lost for future generations.
Route 66 is the perfect place to find some of our state's best cuisine. There's everything from barbeque to greasy-spoon diners tempting you around every corner. One finger-lickin' stop is Russ' Ribs in Bristow. I had the tri-tip sandwich — which is seasoned to perfection with owner James Russell's secret rub. I also ordered a side of sweet potato fries. The meat is so delicious and juicy you don't even need barbeque sauce, but they do have tasty sauce in mild and hot varieties just in case. One insider tip: Be sure to save room for their made-from-scratch desserts like the apple dumpling. It's a handmade family recipe that's served up with vanilla ice cream and makes my mouth water just thinking about it.
Next, I stepped back in time at the Sapulpa Historical Museum. Organized nearly 40 years ago by three native Sapulpans, this museum showcases the history of Sapulpa from Indian Territory days to the present. You can visit a small village of historic Sapulpa businesses — a blacksmith shop, a sheriff's office, the John F. Egan General Merchandise Store, Rock Creek Indian Methodist Church, Euchee Mission Boarding School, and more. You'll also see a diorama of the Frisco Railroad shops located there in the early 1900s. Other displays include Creek and Euchee Indian artifacts, an early territorial courthouse, military room, and areas dedicated to prominent Sapulpans.
Sapulpa has several great stops, including the Frank Home which was designed by Bruce Goff for John and Grace Lee Frank, the owners of Frankoma Pottery. Their daughters still live in the home, but have recently opened it to the public for tours. The home's architecture is a treat in itself, but when combined with the original Frankoma fireplace mantle and furniture this home tour is really something special. Plus, the Frank sisters are not shy about sharing stories of their parents and the home.
There are so many places to discover, there's no way I could cover them all in one article. Luckily, there are two new resources dedicated to exploring Oklahoma's stretch of Route 66.
The first is the Oklahoma Route 66 Guide, produced by the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. It can be ordered at www.TravelOK.com or by telephone by calling (800) 652-6552. This keepsake brochure is free and includes a fold-out map of Route 66 showing must-see attractions and landmarks stretching from Erick to Miami, OK.
The Oklahoma Route 66 Association recently published its 2008-2009 Trip Guide — a county-by-county layout of Route 66 through the state. The brochure is $4.95 for a hard copy or it can be downloaded online for free at www.oklahomaroute66.com.
~Lindsay Vidrine, for The Oklahoman
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