Discover Rogers County: Route 66, Lakes and Museums

Rogers County combines historic Route 66 with lake landscapes, unusual folk art and a remarkable variety of museums. Route 66, also known as State Highway 66, crosses the county from northeast to southwest. This creates a varied selection for planning your trip: You can include time by the water and active pursuits at Oologah Lake, explore Oklahoma’s history or discover notable places along the Mother Road.

Water, Trails and Active Days

Oologah Lake offers opportunities for fishing and has wide expanses of water suitable for sailing. Recreational options also include a swimming beach and opportunities for mountain biking. In addition, the Oologah Public Hunting Area covers almost 13,000 acres and is managed by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Those who like to fill their days with different activities will find a clear focus here on water and landscape.

There are also specific options for cycling tours. The Claremore Mountain Bike Trails include 16 miles of mountain-biking trails. More than four miles of paved paths for walking and cycling run along Claremore Lake. These differences help you choose your preferred pace of travel: Some plan a longer mountain-bike route, while others prefer paved paths for walks and bike rides.

Route 66 and Special Cultural Experiences

Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park is a historic park along Route 66 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It is considered the oldest and largest example of a folk-art environment in Oklahoma. The Fiddle House houses Galloway’s violins and other works he created. The park therefore offers more than a brief roadside stop: Its special character lies in the combination of Route 66 history and distinctive art.

Another striking feature of the historic road is the Route 66 Pedestrian Underpass Mural. The mural depicts historic elements of Chelsea, including a 1930s gas station and the Hogue House. It is located in one of the few open underpasses on Oklahoma’s Mother Road. Those interested in regional history can mentally combine this site with the county’s larger museum offerings to create a cultural itinerary without equating the individual stops.

Museums Around Claremore and Catoosa

In Claremore, the Will Rogers Memorial Museum opened to the public on November 4, 1938. It houses the world’s largest collection of Will Rogers memorabilia. The region’s history also includes the Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch, with a historic Greek Revival-style house and a working ranch covering 162 acres. The two-story house with log walls where Will Rogers was born was built in 1875 in the Cooweescoowee District of the Cherokee Nation. The house in Oologah is named „The White House on the Verdigris“ and is a rare surviving example of a building on the frontier of the former Indian Territory.

The J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum houses more than 12,000 firearms and thousands of artifacts that are not firearms. Multimedia exhibits create a family-friendly tour through history. The Claremore Museum of History, housed in the former Will Rogers Library, features a Lynn Riggs Memorial Exhibit and a Radium Water Exhibit. The Oklahoma Military Academy Museum tells the story of more than 10,000 cadets who attended the school from 1919 until it closed in 1971. It is housed in Meyer Hall, a former academy barracks that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Catoosa also contributes a historic site: The Catoosa Historical Museum is located in the old railroad depot. When searching for accommodation, it may be useful to first determine the focus of your trip. Travelers who want to combine museums, historic buildings and Route 66 sites will approach their search differently from those who place Oologah Lake, cycling paths and water activities at the center of their plans.

Regional Impressions and Choosing Your Accommodation

The Rogers County Farmers Market offers seasonal fruit and vegetables, beef, pork and lamb, eggs, honey, baked goods and homemade handicrafts. This adds a regional everyday perspective to the historical and scenic impressions. When choosing your vacation rental, you can therefore consider which combination of culture, water, activity and local offerings best suits your planned itinerary. A blanket location recommendation is not necessary: What matters is which of these focuses you want to give the most space to in Rogers County.

More Destinations

More destinations for planning your own trip: Jefferson County, Atoka County, Murray County, Cimarron County, Texas, Pushmataha County.

For the higher-level travel overview: Oklahoma.