Dewey: Hotel History, Tom Mix, and Rodeo Tradition

Dewey brings together several distinct cultural themes: a Victorian hotel museum, a collection devoted to Tom Mix, and the history of a rodeo held for decades. This makes it possible to shape your visit around different interests: early local history, specific memorabilia, or Dewey’s rodeo and commemorative traditions. If you’re looking for a vacation rental in Dewey, these themes can help guide your trip planning.

A Victorian Hotel and the Town’s Early History

The Dewey Hotel Museum is a Victorian hotel built in 1899 by Jake Bartles, the founder of Dewey. The restored Dewey Hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NR 75001578). Exhibits at the museum tell the story of the early history of Dewey and Bartlesville. A visit brings together architectural history and the past of two towns.

The Dewey Hotel Museum is self-guided; guides are available to provide information and answer visitors’ questions. You can explore the exhibits on your own and ask the guides if you have questions. The town’s history is also reflected in its buildings: north of the Dewey Hotel Museum stands a renovated concrete jail known as the Tom Mix Jail.

Tom Mix: Memorabilia, Tony, and Silent Films

The Tom Mix Museum offers a different focus. Exhibits include Tom Mix’s clothing, saddles, weapons, photographs, and other memorabilia. A life-size replica of his horse Tony adds a distinctive detail to the collection. While the Dewey Hotel Museum combines early local history with a Victorian building, the Tom Mix Museum focuses on objects associated with Tom Mix.

Silent films are shown daily at the Tom Mix Museum, but not after 3:30 p.m. Check screening times before your visit. The museum experiences differ in practical ways: the Dewey Hotel Museum is self-guided, with the option of asking guides questions; at the Tom Mix Museum, the time limit on film screenings is one of its distinctive features.

Rodeo Tradition and Events

The Dewey Roundup was an annual rodeo held on July 4 from 1909 to 1948. Its fixed date and long run make it a clearly defined chapter in Dewey’s event history. The Dewey Western Heritage Weekend celebrates the spirit of Tom Mix and the Dewey Roundup; held in Dewey in October, the weekend honors Tom Mix’s memory. Together, the former rodeo and the remembrance of Tom Mix represent two distinct facets of the local Western heritage.

The Stray Kat 500 takes place in downtown Dewey and around Stray Kat Station. Venues may change for future editions. If you’re including the event in your trip plans, check the details for the specific edition.

Another Local Highlight

The Linger Longer Antique Shop in Dewey is associated with treats at an old-fashioned soda fountain. If you plan to stop by, check the latest information in advance. This offers a different experience from the museums and event history: it’s a shop associated with a classic soda fountain offering.

When looking for a vacation rental in Dewey, choosing between the museums’ different themes can help you make concrete plans: consider whether you’re more interested in architectural and local history or the Tom Mix collection. If you’d also like to see silent films, keep the screening time in mind and check it in advance.

Discover more destinations: Bartlesville.

See the broader travel overview: Washington County.