Things to do and see

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1 Page 48 Oklahoma County LUTHER Route 66 clips the north edge of town, but the highway never actually went through its heart. One glance at the old strips and berms on the south side of current 66 and old bridge abutments (some of which are painted pale yellow and advertise a local garage) on the north side of current 66 will confirm that. The town is still worth a look, however. Just turn south at the pecan grove, then turn right after the railroad tracks to drive through the downtown district. On the north side of the pecan grove are signs to lead you to a local winery. Caution that road eventually turns to dirt and gravel. Luther once had five grocery stores, three cotton gins, two hotels and lots of railroad traffic. When Engle s Grocery Store finally closed, people came from as far away as Australia to bid for the rare Coca- Cola signs and posters that made this shop so famous. Luther Town Hall, 1919 S. Main: (405) * The Boundary on Route 66, E. Hwy 66. (405) Excellent barbecue; open Thursday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. ARCADIA Arcadia is known for its famous Round Barn, built in 1898 and now restored to its former glory. On the ground floor, visit the gift shop and study the Route 66 exhibit. Then go upstairs to look around. You ll be amazed at the acoustics. Why is the Barn round? We re not exactly sure, but we do know that people felt a round barn would be tornado-proof. During Route 66 s heyday, Arcadia was a popular pit stop. Although the traffic diminished for a few years, the 2007 opening of POPS brought travelers back in droves. The popular attraction features a 66-foot-high pop bottle illuminated with LEDs that light in sequence, changing color and giving the impression that the bottle is being filled; a 1950s-style ressee ARCADIA, page 49

2 Oklahoma County Page 49 ARCADIA continued from page 48 taurant serving upscale diner food; unique architecture; and a selection of over 400 different types and flavors of soda pop. Pay attention to the slower speed limit signs as you drive through town, as the local police take traffic safety very seriously. Town Hall, 217 N Main: (405) Arcadia Lake, Hwy. 66 west of Arcadia. (405) Biker Shak, E. Waterloo Rd. (405) * POPS. 660 W. Hwy. 66. (877) 266-POPS. * The Round Barn and Route 66 satellite exhibit. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission. (405) Rock of Ages gas station. Remnants of an abandoned station east of Arcadia on 66. Ghost Town Press, E. Old Hwy. 66. * Coffee Creek Tree Farm NE 220th St. (405) EDMOND Proud home of many Oklahoma firsts, Edmond is a Land Run site Photos by Emily Priddy The Boundary, above, celebrates Oklahoma history with a mural on its west wall. POPS, pictured at right, is known for its giant LED-lit soda bottle out front. where adventurous settlers staked claim to the Unassigned Lands in the heart of the Indian Nation Territory, which later became known as Oklahoma. This rich history lives on in Edmond with such sites as the first church in Oklahoma Territory (St. John s Catholic Church) and the first school in Oklahoma Territory (Sanders Camera Shop). In the glory days of Route 66, many Edmond restaurants became famous. The Wide-a-Wake, 66 Highway Café, The Lone Elm, and Royce s are just a few of the now-vanished legendary eateries. Golfers will enjoy the opportunity to stay and play more than 200 holes all within 5 to 15 minutes of hotels or elegant bed-and-breakfasts. Many shops can provide all-day entertainment. Be sure to check out the many parks throughout Edmond, including those around Lake Arcadia. Edmond also loves to celebrate; exciting annual events include the Route 66 Classic Car Show, Shakespeare in the Park, the Downtown Arts Festival, the Blues & Jazz Festival, Canterbury Arts Festival, the Celebration of Children, and more. * Edmond Convention & Visitors Bureau, 1030 S. Bryant: (405) see EDMOND, page 50

3 Page 50 Oklahoma County EDMOND continued from page Downtown Edmond, historic and eclectic shopping district with more than 30 stores. * Edmond Historical Society Museum and Route 66 satellite exhibit, 431 S. Boulevard. Nationally recognized traveling exhibits as well as displays on Edmond s early history. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Free admission. (405) * Fairfield Inn & Suites, 301 Meline Drive. (405) * Pin EFX LLC, 3801 Pawnee Circle. (405) Memorial Park Cemetery, Kelley (Route 66) and Memorial. Burial place of Wiley Post, famous pilot and friend of Will Rogers. (405) Museum of Art, University of Central Oklahoma, 100 N. University. (405) One-room school house, on Second Street between Boulevard and Littler. * Arcadian Inn Bed & Breakfast. 328 E. 1st. (405) OKC Oklahoma City is the capital of Oklahoma. Route 66 will take you right by the Capitol itself. Oklahoma holds the distinction of being the only state with a working oil pump on its Capitol grounds. Beautification efforts along Lincoln Boulevard give visitors an attractive approach to the Capitol complex. Unfortunately, most of Oklahoma City s classic motels have been demolished. Route 66 through town is an interesting mix of buildings and cultures. Since the road underwent a number of alignment changes in the metro area through the years, each with its own distinctive Route 66 sights, we strongly recommend you consult Jim Ross Oklahoma Route 66 so you can retrace all the variations yourself. Of particular interest are the 23rd Street alignment, which has been undergoing a renaissance in recent years, and the Beltline alignment along Britton see OKC, page 51

4 OkC continued from page 54 and Western Avenue. As befitting the largest city in Oklahoma and one of the largest in square miles in the U.S., there are plenty of museums and tourist attractions. Don t miss the historic Milk Bottle building a tiny, wedge-shaped structure with a giant milk bottle on top just north of 23rd and Classen, not far from a giant, golden geodesic dome. Also of interest are the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, which features art, memorabilia, and interactive exhibits, and Science Museum Oklahoma formerly known as the Omniplex which offers a host of kid-friendly exhibits. For detailed information, contact the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau at www. visitokc.com or call (405) Antenna Farm, east side of OKC on Kelley Ave (original alignment of 66). Can you count the TV and radio station towers? 45th Infantry Division Museum, 2145 NE 36th. Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat., 1 to 4 p.m. Sun. Free admission. (405) Milk Bottle building, just north of 23rd on Classen (an older alignment of 66). On the National Register of Historic Places. National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd. World s largest collection of Western lore and art; gift shop. (405) Science Museum Oklahoma, 2100 NE 52nd, is home to more than 350 hands-on exhibits and educational programs. Open daily. (405) Owl Courts, 742 W. Britton Road (Beltline 66). Old tourist court undergoing renovations. State Capitol, NE 23rd and Lincoln. Note the oil rigs on the grounds. (405) Oklahoma City National Memorial, NW 5th and Robinson. Monument to the 168 victims of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing of April 19, (405) see OKC, page 53 Oklahoma County Page 51

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6 Canadian, Blaine & Caddo Counties Page 53 OKC continued from page 51 * Collision Clinic, 608 NW 63rd. (405) * Glass Boy Studios, 6900 Green Meadow Lane. (405) * Home Savings & Loan Association, 3301 S. Western. (405) * Lincoln Inn Express, 5405 N. Lincoln Blvd. (405) * Vee Twin Performance, 400 SW 33rd. (405) * Route 66 Association member. WARR ACRES Situated in an area once known as Oklacadian, Warr Acres is The Almost Capital of Oklahoma. One of Oklahoma s early real estate developers, Israel Putnam, see WARR ACRES, page 54 DID YOU KNOW? The Chisholm Trail, which roughly follows the route of U.S. 81, crosses Route 66 at El Reno.

7 Page 54 Oklahoma County Enjoy the ride! kidson66.com WARR ACRES continued from page 53 launched a campaign to have the state capital relocated from Guthrie to what is now Warr Acres. Despite Putnam s efforts, the capital was moved to Oklahoma City. The Northwest Chamber, 7440 NW 39th Expressway. (405) or visit Watches, Etc., 5934 NW 39th. (405) BETHANY Founded in 1909 by Arthur Beaver and four other pioneers, Bethany s beginnings as a tent city are as distinct as the community it has become. On the western edge of Bethany is an old steel truss bridge over Lake Overholser. Downtown Bethany is home to unusual boutiques, gift shops, antique malls and other attractions. Bethany Business Association, 6700 N.W. 36th St.; (405) * Apple Tree Antique Gallery, 6740 NW 39th Expwy. (405) * Bethany Antique Mall, Inc N. College. (405) * Boom-a-rang Diner, 3929 W. College Ave. (405) * City of Bethany, 6700 NW 36th St. (405) * Downtown Bethany Merchants Association, 3909 N. College. (405) * Holiday Inn Express, 7840 NW 39th Expwy. (405) * Native America Gallery and Gifts, 3823 N. College (1 block south of 66). (405) Norma Jean s, 6748 NW 39th Expressway. (405) Papa Angelo s N. College. (405) Simmons Auto NW 36th. (405) * Sparkles, 6716 NW 39th Expwy. (405) * Association member. DID YOU KNOW? A section of original Route 66 pavement between El Reno and Bridgeport was placed in the Smithsonian in 2000.

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9 Page 56 Canadian, Blaine & Caddo Counties Signage General Information Between the Pony Bridge and the intersection behind the Cherokee Trading Post/truck stop west of El Reno, a new four-lane highway has made following 66 more difficult. Eastbound 66ers will reach a stop sign after the crest of Bridgeport Hill and must turn right onto the new pavement of Spur 281. Westbound 66ers, 2.3 miles west of the stop sign behind the Cherokee/truck stop (or a half-mile after you cross a bridge), should turn left across traffic in order to access Bridgeport Hill. The turn to the Hill occurs on a curve, so keep your eyes peeled. If you miss the turn, about four miles from the Cherokee, turn left, and this will put you on what was the original routing out of Geary prior to road work. This will eventually lead to the Pony Bridge but will come out below Bridgeport Hill. The older, more northern loop is 270. On the road east of the junction (or split, depending on your direction of travel) of old and new routes, there is no highway signage at all. In fact, the 270 turn up to Calumet is not even marked with a sign. Through El Reno, follow Business 40 signs, being careful you don t wind up on I-40 at either end. Between the east side of El Reno and western Oklahoma City, you have State Highway 66 signs to guide you. However, we suggest you follow the older 36 th Street/Lakeshore Drive alignment between the east end of Yukon and the west end of Bethany. Street names of Route 66 in towns (east to west) Yukon: 66 66/Main El Reno: 66 Business 40/Rock Island Business 40/Wade Business 40/Choctaw Business 40/Sunset Drive Calumet: /Calumet Road 270 Between Geary and Calumet, an earlier alignment, still unpaved, can be accessed. Traveling west from Calumet, look for roads or to access this older stretch. Road Facts Watch for the intersection by the Cherokee Trading Post/ truck stop on newer 66 as well as the turn by Bridgeport Hill. Also, watch for the jog at Business 40 and Fort Reno entrance. Head in the wrong direction, and you ll end up on I-40! If you are westbound, you will need to decide whether you are going to follow the older alignment of 66 up through Calumet and Geary (now called 270) or take the 1933 newer alignment straight through. There are rewards either way, but if time is an overriding factor, go straight and take the newer alignment. DID YOU KNOW? The last stretch of Route 66 was bypassed by I-40 in 1984 near Williams, Arizona.

10 Canadian, Blaine & Caddo Counties Page 57 Important note: Canadian, Blaine and Caddo counties are largely rural and seem to run together near Geary. This stretch of 66 is fairly long and had to be divided into three sections. To see the map and directions for the stretch of Route 66 between Geary and Hydro including instructions for taking the Bridgeport Hill shortcut please turn to page 56. ROADSIDE HIGHLIGHTS See if you can find the following landmarks, listed in no particular order: Old gas station east of the Pony Bridge and Bridgeport Hill. Old gas station by 270 and newer 66 junction. Federal prison. Fort Reno. Subdivision with 66 in its name. (Hint: west side of Yukon.) Chisholm Trail markers in Yukon and by Fort Reno. Old weigh station site. The station is gone, but the space is still there, and you can still see the scales/platform in the concrete. Earth-sheltered home between Geary and Calumet. Bed and Breakfast El Reno, Oklahoma Phones: DID YOU KNOW? The section of Route 66 between Miami and Afton was the last part of the road to be paved in Oklahoma.

11 Page 58 Canadian, Blaine, & Caddo Counties ROAD FACTS Street names of Route 66 in towns (east to west) Geary: 270/South St. 281 & 8/Broadway Bridgeport: Market St. Hydro: No name given. Signage General Information Like much of 66 in western Oklahoma, the road between Hydro, Bridgeport, and the Hinton Junction has no state highway numbers. The Hinton Junction-Pony Bridge-Geary stretch is called 281 and 8. If you are eastbound and want to skip Geary and Calumet, after you cross the Pony Bridge, look for the turn to the right. Follow this road (1933 concrete) up Bridgeport Hill. You ll come to a stop. Turn right onto the new highway (Spur 281), and as you approach the Cherokee Trading Post/truck stop (see Canadian County map), turn left onto the old Portland cement again. The original alignment from Geary and Calumet to where the two alignments of 66 meet in Canadian County is 270. Roadside highlights See if you can find the following landmarks, in no particular order: Outthrust porch/live-over gas station (not Lucille s), now a residence. Several old buildings at Hinton Junction. Roadside picnic area at Hinton Junction. Three steel truss single arch bridges. (The Pony Bridge does not count!) Old bridge pilings on dirt 66. Distinctive drains of the Portland cement concrete road on the slopes and bottoms of the hills. Steen s Buttes/Caddo Mounds distant mounds south of 66 and I-40 halfway between Hydro and Bridgeport. They were guiding landmarks for travelers along the California Road. There was once a historical marker about them on 66, but it has long since vanished. P-Bar Farm Maize. DID YOU KNOW? Gene Autry once worked at the Frisco railroad depot in Chelsea.