|
|
| Relax in Northwest Rogers County |
|
Whether you like nature and outdoor sports, or history and sight-seeing, Northwest Rogers County is a great destination for a day trip, a stop on the road, or a camping destination. Oologah is located 35 miles north of Tulsa on U.S. Highway 169. Those on the Will Rogers Turnpike should take the Claremore exit and then follow Oklahoma Highway 88 north 12 miles to Oologah.
The visitor information center is located at the Oolagah Historical Museum, 1 block west of Highway 169 on Cooweescoowee Ave. in downtown Oologah.
The area features:
* Oologah Lake
* The Will Rogers Birthplace Historic Ranch in Oologah and the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore
* Historic Downtown Oologah (click here to download a walking tour brochure of Downtown Oologah using Adobe Acrobat Reader
* Talala Historical Museum
* Great restaurants and shops
Get hooked on beautiful Oologah Lake
|
One of the most beautiful lakes in Oklahoma is located just a half hour northeast of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Oologah Lake is one of the best sailing lakes in the southwest, with 29,500 acres of water lying north and south.
The lake is popular for all types of boating and water skiing with 14 public boat ramps. In addition, Redbud Bay Marina offers boat rentals, including popular personal watercraft.
|
Oologah Lake boasts shallow water fishing in the north half, deep water fishing in the south half, and also excellent fishing below the dam in the tail waters. Large mouth bass, white crappie, white bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue gill, sand bass, walleye, striped bass hybrids and blue catfish are all available in Oologah Lake.
Public hunting areas have quail, prairie chicken, turkey, squirrel, rabbits, dove, duck, geese and deer.
Oologah Lake is especially popular as a camping site. The lake has an equestrian trail and a group equestrian camp site, a nature trail, park, swimming beach and outdoor amphitheater.
RV and camp sites can be reserved from the Corps of Engineers at Oologah Lake. RV sites are also available at the Will Rogers Ranch and at Redbud Marina. Redbud also has cabins for rent
Oologah Lake Project Office: 918-443-2250
Campsite Reservations: 1-877-444-6777
Campsite Reservations online: ReserveUSA.com
Lake Levels and Water Release Rates:
Hawthorne Bluff Camp Area: 918-443-2319
Blue Creek Camp Area: 918-341-4244
Spencer Creek Camp Area: 918-341-3690
Redbud Bay Marina: 918-341-5190
Step back in time in Historic Downtown Oologah
Will Rogers said he told people that he was from Claremore because no one but an Indian could pronounce Oologah. Not only is the town name hard to pronounce, folks can't agree on how it should be spelled.
Oologah was established when the railroad came through in 1890. Stroll down the original brick sidewalks and enjoy the restored historic buildings dating from before statehood in 1907.
The Oolagah Historical Museum features artifacts reflecting everyday life from turn-of-the-century to present day. The Bank of Oolagah and the I.W.W. Beck building are both listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The Bank shows what banking was like in Indian Territory days.
Will Rogers and his favorite quarterhorse, Comanche, pause again for a drink at the old town pump. The scene is recreated in The Cherokee Kid(tm) monument in downtown Oologah.
America's favorite son ... Will Rogers
Actor and cowboy philosopher Will Rogers appeared in more than 70 movies, wrote hundreds of newspaper columns, and was the highest-paid radio entertainer of his day. He climbed to the top in every field he entered. The humorist was easily the most popular and best-loved American of his time.
He was born on the Dog Iron Ranch near Oologah in 1879, and died in 1935 in a tragic airplane crash with pioneer aviator Wiley Post (who discovered the jet stream).
The ranch is now a turn-of-the-century living history ranch. To reach the ranch, from US-169, go one mile north of Oologah, take Road 380 east 2.5 miles to the ranch.
Majestic longhorn cattle again graze the rich pastures, just like they did in Will's childhood. Ranch visitors are likely to be greeted by a lamb, a goat, a goose or even a peacock. It's a special treat for city kids never really exposed to farm life before. The birthplace is open dawn to dusk daily. RV hookups are available on the ranch grounds.
The Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore features eight galleries of exhibits, an interactive center for children, a movie theater, Will Rogers tomb, and research archives for scholars. It is open 8 am to 5 pm 365 days a year. The Museum is located on OK-88 on the north edge of Claremore right across the street from Rogers State University.
|
|
Will Rogers Memorial 1-800-828-9643
Online at willrogers.com
Shop and eat in Northwest Rogers County
Claremore, Oologah and the lake area offer a variety of shopping opportunities-everything from fishing supplies to antiques and collectibles.
Gifts, souvenirs and crafts are available in Oologah and in the antiques district in downtown Claremore. There are several restaurants, convenience delis and fast-food options. Check the local business listings for options.
|
|
|
|
