RonnieAdventures #0502 - Oklahoma 2021 Part V

Texola (population 36) is located near the 100th Meridian, which is the Texas/Oklahoma State Line. Since the town was settled it has been surveyed eight different times, and each survey moved the location of the State Line. Thus, the town's residents have lived in both Texas and Oklahoma without ever moving. Texalo is now located in Oklahoma. 

Water Hole #2 was reported to be the oldest building on Historic Route 66 still operating as a bar and restaurant. The building has been remodeled several times and a C-Store has been added to the east side of the original building. When the adjacent Texas counties were "dry," Texans would drive across the border to patronize Water Hole #2. 

Erick (population 1,052) was founded along the National Old Trails Road, which became part of Route 66 when the United States Numbered Highway System was formed. Under the Numbered Highway System, North-South roads were assigned two-digit odd numbers and East-West roads were assigned two-digit even numbers. Three-digit numbers were assigned to spur roads from a main highway. The numbering system is still used for today's roads. 

In 1933 Bonnie and Clyde kidnapped law enforcement officers in Wellington, Texas, and drove them to Erick, Oklahoma, where they tied them to a tree with barbed wire cut from a fence. The officers freed themselves; but by the time they were able to contact the local police, Bonnie and Clyde's trail had gone cold. 

When making the Cars movie, Disney animators stopped in Erick and met Harley and Annabelle Russell, who bill themselves as the "Mediocre Music Makers." Larry the Cable Guy imitated their voices accent for the Mater character in the movie. 

Musician Sheb Wooley ("One-Eyed One-Horned Flying Purple People Eater" song) was born and raised in Erick, as was country music star Roger Miller. Miller was once asked where Erick was near and he replied: "It's close to extinction."

The Beckham County Courthouse in Sayre (population 4,375) was featured in the The Grapes of Wrath movie, which was based on the book by John Steinbeck. In front of the courthouse is a buffalo dressed in a cavalry soldier's uniform and the buffalo is frequently featured in Oklahoma tourist brochures. 

Washita Battlefield National Historic Site is located just north of Sayre. On November 27, 1868, Lt. Col George Custer's 7th Cavalry attacked Chief Black Kettle's camp that was located by the Washita River. Scouts had found the camp by tracking Indian warriors after they raided a white settlement. 

The number of Indian killed during the battle has been greatly disputed; but it is known that in addition to warriors, the soldiers killed a number of women and children. A visitor center is located near the battle site and the building also serves as a visitor center for the Black Kettle and McClennan Creek National Grasslands.

Elk City (population 11,693) is home of the National Route 66 Museum complex, consisting of numerous buildings and outdoor exhibits. This is the main stopping point for most people driving Historic Route 66. The extensive collection of memorabilia is so large that it would require most of the day to see everything. Since I did not have all day, I just tried to hit the high points.

The outdoor exhibits consist of items that were found along Route 66. A number of historic buildings have been relocated to the site and others are reproductions. 

A large barn across the street contains a collection of farm equipment and transportation related vehicles. Although the barn is technically a separate museum, it is part of the Elk City museum complex. The manure spreader in front of the barn is similar to one that we used in the spring to clean the stock yards after the cattle had been put out to pasture for the summer. This was a stinking job that I did not look forward to.

Parker Driller Rig #114 (one of the worlds tallest inland drilling rigs) is also located along Historic Route 66 in Elk City, but the Rig is not part of the National Route 66 Museum Complex. Rig #114 became famous when it was used to set a world record by drilling a hole 10-feet in diameter and 4,500 feet deep.