Erick: Route 66, Music History and Prairie

Erick combines the history of Route 66 with unusual cultural sites and the vastness of the prairie. This gives you various starting points for planning your trip: You can explore historic sections of road, learn about regional artifacts, discover music history and combine a stay in the vicinity of Erick with nature experiences.

Route 66 and Historic Roads

Erick was part of the National Old Trails Road, a predecessor route of U.S. Highway 66. The section of Route 66 running through Erick was renamed Roger Miller Boulevard. In the surrounding area between Sayre and Erick, there are also abandoned northbound lanes that belong to the original Route 66. Anyone interested in historic transportation routes and the development of American highways will find tangible traces of different eras of route history here.

The West Winds Motel is also part of the history of road travel. It was built in 1948 for vacationers and other motorists traveling along Route 66. Its Mission-style architecture is reminiscent of a Spanish hacienda. Today, the building is used as a private residence. It is therefore an example of how earlier travel architecture has been preserved in Erick while also being put to a different use.

Museums, Buildings and Curious Discoveries

A notable cultural landmark is the First National Bank in Erick, also known as the 100th Meridian Museum, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The First National Bank Building is a solid, two-story brick structure and was one of the first buildings completed in the town. The 100th Meridian Museum preserves and displays the heritage and artifacts of the region.

A distinctive addition is the Sandhills Curiosity Shop. It is considered the oldest brick building in Erick and displays oak furniture from around the turn of the century, works of art, historic musical instruments and other curious objects. Harley Russell performs live, spontaneously and interactively for visitors in the shop. This gives you a cultural option for your daily itinerary that ranges from regional history to a personal and unusual entertainment experience.

Music History in the Townscape

Erick was the hometown of musician Sheb Wooley. Roger Miller is also closely associated with the town: He attended Erick High School during his youth and lived on a small farm outside Erick for part of his childhood. The Roger Miller Mural depicts the singer-songwriter in five poses, with a Route 66 road sign visible in the background. The mural is located on the building that formerly housed the Roger Miller Museum. In this way, the town’s music history connects with its road-related identity and the memory of former institutions.

Prairie and Practical Information

The Sandy Sanders Wildlife Management Area, a 25,000-acre prairie preserve, is located near Erick. Visitors who are not hunting or fishing there need a Wildlife Conservation Passport or a currently valid hunting or fishing license issued by the Wildlife Department. You should take this requirement into account before including the preserve in your trip plans.

The Erick Tourism Information Center offers brochures and travel information about attractions, events and accommodations in the state. Trained travel counselors are available to provide advice; the center also has restrooms, a sales area and a gift shop. Outside the entrance, there is a divided dog park with a shaded area and drinking fountain. If you are traveling with a dog, this specific service is just as much a part of the local information as the details needed for further planning.

The Right Accommodation for Your Trip Plans

When looking for a vacation rental or vacation home in Erick, you can use the focus of your trip as a decision-making aid. Someone who makes Route 66 history and the town’s buildings the centerpiece of their trip will plan differently from someone who primarily wants to discover musical connections, curious collections or the prairie surrounding the town. When making your selection, you can focus on the travel themes that matter most to you and consider which places should make a particularly strong impression on your trip. This leaves room for a personal mix of road history, culture and nature.

If you would like to expand your research to include another place, you can also look at Elk City.

For the higher-level travel overview: Beckham County.