Ozark Trail Pyramid

Ozark Trail Pyramid. . , By 1916, plans were underway to promote a network of roads through Oklahoma called the "Ozark Trail". The trails were planned by the Ozark Trail Association. Its mission was to promote a system of better roads connection the surrounding states. These were the first roads to be classed as public supported highways. Early plans were "grandiose". Originally the Ozark Trail was to be a link from ocean to ocean. The route was to be marked with impressive pyramids and concrete mileage posts. These roads were intended to be "above high water, hard surfaced, and later oiled". Routes increased rapidly as towns competed to be included on the Trail. , The Ozark Trail Pyramind was one of many marking the trail for travelers in the early 1920's. Oklahoma trails crossed the state east to west and north to south, they have either become U.S. Highways or follow the same course, such as US 60, US 62, OK 9, the famous "Route 66", and the current Turner Turnpike. This pyramid was one of several placed on the trail from Tulsa to Dallas. Chandler, Meeker, Shawnee, and Sulphur also had identical pyramids marking the trail along this particular route. , Work began on the Stratford Pyramid in December 1921. The buried base was six feet square the next section was four feet square, the top tapered and stood twenty two feet high. The original pyramid stood in the center of Main and Hyden Streets, which is only 1/2 block to the east. Due to traffic and safety reasons, this replica pyramid could not be in the original location. It was constructed close to the original site as possible. "Ozark Trail" appeared on all four sides of the upper part of the pyramid and each side listed the mileage for the next towns along the route. In April 1923, the pyramid was wired and lighted. In the early 1940's it was pushed over and buried where it stood. In the early 1970's, its pieces were exhumed, partially restored, and now stands on a private ranch near Stratford. One other "original" pyramid, which is presumed to be the Chandler pyramid, is located west of Stroud off Highway 66., This "replica" was erected in the summer of 1997, Research Planning Construction: , Bob Phillips, Dick Castile, Gilbert Boswood, Gene Stone, Mike Mosley, Jess Mosley and Nita Lofton, Donors: , Robert and Evylene Phillips . Leonard and Martha Freeman . Ken and Anna Wallace . Carroll and Nita Lofton . Astor and Myrile Jones . Deborah Sagebiel . W.N. and Lueille Guest . BancFirst . Jack and Gladys Eldridge . Baxter and Patsy Gray . Leon and Pearl Morris . Evan and Peggy Jones . Scott and Lesta Muse . Rick and Lisa Griffin . Duane and Linda Rosson . Southwestern Bell