Afton: Route 66 History and Experiences at Grand Lake

Afton, Oklahoma, combines the history of Route 66 with water activities on Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees. The town is located on U.S. Highway 60/69, which also corresponds to the historic U.S. Highway 66. This makes Afton appealing to travelers who want to divide their days between classic road architecture, historic structures, marinas and regional specialties. When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home, you can first consider whether the main focus of your trip should be on Route 66 history or on activities on the water.

Route 66 History with Special Structures

One notable historic example is the Cities Service Station. It was built in 1933 in the Mission Revival, also known as Spanish Revival, style and is significant because of its connection to Route 66. Those interested in American transportation history and unusual architecture will find a specific reason here to include Afton in their travel plans.

At the northeastern edge of Afton stands the Horse Creek Bridge. It was built in 1936 as part of Route 66 and is a 140-foot-long steel girder bridge. A continuous reinforced-concrete sidewalk runs along both sides. The structure combines technical details with the history of the road and complements the classic road-related attractions for which Afton offers several examples.

Another highlight is Ribbon Road between Miami and Afton. The historic section is 13 miles long, was built in the early 1920s and is therefore older than Route 66. The original road surface was nine feet wide. Ribbon Road was also part of the original Ozark Trail Highway and is listed as an Oklahoma National Historic Landmark. In the 1920s and 1930s, U.S. Highway 66 brought more industry to Afton. This development explains why the road and bridge structures continue to form such an important part of the town’s history.

Water, Boats and Active Travel Ideas

For a stay with varied daily rhythms, Afton combines classic road-related attractions with activities on the water. Sail Grand operates at Shangri-La Marina in Afton and offers rides on Sea-Doos. Thunder Bay Marina has boat slips and docking facilities, while Harbors View Marina offers boat rentals. This allows you to choose between historic road-related attractions and activities on the water when planning your trip.

For anglers, Shangri-La Guide Service offers bookable fishing trips on Grand Lake. The service specializes in catching largemouth bass, white bass and crappie. Another special event is the annual Mahogany & Chrome Boat Show at the Cherokee Yacht Club & Marina in Afton. More than 50 historic wooden boats and retro fiberglass boats gather there, and participants cruise on Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees.

Local Specialties and Museums

For a culinary break, Ugly John’s Grill & Bar at Thunder Bay Marina serves hamburgers, sandwiches, fish, chicken and ribs. At Miller Pecan Company, you can try hand-roasted gourmet pecans made in an old-fashioned copper kettle. The company is also a country store on the historic Route 66 alignment, offering specialty foods and fresh nuts from the farm.

The Crosstar Flag & Tag Museum in Afton was founded by Vietnam War veteran Al Childs. The Darryl Starbird National Rod and Custom Hall of Fame Museum was also located in Afton, but it is no longer open. This information is important for planning your day, while classic road structures along Route 66 and Route 66 history continue to shape the character of the town.

The Right Accommodation for Your Travel Plans

A holiday apartment or holiday home in Afton is particularly well suited to your plans if you want to combine historic discoveries with individual activities on the water. Before booking, decide which experiences should be the main focus: Ribbon Road and classic road architecture, the marinas and boating experiences, or a combination of history, fishing and regional food.

If you would like to compare additional destinations for your trip, you can also visit the pages on West Siloam Springs and Grove.

For the higher-level travel overview: Delaware County.