Texola in Beckham County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

Will Rogers Highway

U.S. 66 - Chicago to Los Angeles

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 15, 2016

1. Will Rogers Highway Marker

Inscription. June 26, 1952, on this location, Route 66 was rededicated as the Will Rogers Highway. This was one of the many ceremonies that took place on the state lines of Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California as well as Oklahoma, when a booster caravan traveled from St. Louis, MO. to Santa Monica, CA. The caravan was organized by the Natl. U.S. Highway 66 Assoc., Warner Brothers Film Studio, Ford Motor Company, and the Rt. 66 Associations from those eight states.

The original bronze plaque placed here to mark the dedication read:

Will Rogers Highway, dedicated 1952 to Will Rogers - Humorist - World Traveler - Good Neighbor.
This Main Street of America, Highway 66 was the first road he traveled in a career that led him straight to the hearts of his countrymen.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 26, 1952.

Location. 35° 13.301′ N, 99° 59.888′ W. Marker is in Texola, Oklahoma, in Beckham County. It is on Old Route 66 0.2 miles west of Texas Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Texola OK 73668, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Oklahoma.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Comanchería,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Dust Bowl,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 4 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Greer County, Texas (approx. 2.2 miles away in Texas); Sandhills Curiosity Shop, Erick, Oklahoma (approx. 7.4 miles away); Center Cemetery (approx. 12.1 miles away in Texas); Needwood Cemetery (approx. 14.2 miles away in Texas).

Regarding Will Rogers Highway. U.S. Route 66 was well-known as the Main Street of America, or the Mother Road, but not Will Rogers Highway. A congressional resolution to name Route 66 in honor of Will Rogers was considered in 1935 but was not finalized. In 1952, a number of bronze markers were placed to promote the Warner Brothers film "The Will Rogers Story". It was only a movie promotion, not an actual re-naming of the highway.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 15, 2016

2. Will Rogers Highway Marker

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 15, 2016

3. Will Rogers Highway Marker

View west on Old Route 66.

Faded Route 66 on nearby pavement image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 7, 2023

4. Faded Route 66 on nearby pavement

Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2016, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 3,173 times since then and 146 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 8, 2016, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 4. submitted on August 28, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.