Vinita in Craig County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
U.S. 66 - Will Rogers Highway
Main St. of America
— Chicago to Los Angeles —
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 20, 2013
1. U.S. 66 Marker
Will Rogers formed lifelong ties to Vinita by attending school here, the Worcester Academy, 1889 and the Willie-Hasell College, 1894 and 1895 terms.
In 1934, Will returned for a WHC reunion and spoke at Old Settlers Day. He urged friends, "have a rodeo next year, and I'll be back."
American Legion Post 40 organized a rodeo for September 1935, but Will and Wiley Post were killed August 15, 1935 in a plane crash. After that the rodeo became the "Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo" and continues annually in Vinita.
"I never met a man I didn't like."
one of many quotes from Will Rogers
U.S. Highway 66 opened Nov. 11, 1925
Renamed in 1936 as Will Rogers Highway
Erected 1999 by the American Legion Post 40 and Friends of Route 66.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Disasters • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1935.
Location. 36° 37.628′ N, 95° 9.856′ W. Marker is in Vinita, Oklahoma, in Craig County. Marker is on Dwain Willis Avenue (U.S. 60/69), on the right when traveling west. Marker is on the grounds of the
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. War Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); Worcester Academy (approx. 0.8 miles away); President Franklin D. Roosevelt Stops at Vinita Katy Railroad Depot (approx. one mile away); Grand River Dam (approx. 4.2 miles away); Old Military Road (approx. 9.2 miles away); 6th Kansas Cavalry (approx. 9.8 miles away); 14th Kansas Cavalry (approx. 9.8 miles away); 2nd Indian Homeguards (approx. 9.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vinita.
Regarding U.S. 66 - 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". The U.S. 66 Highway Associaton, Ford Motor Company, and Warner Brothers took part in the promotion. A caravan drove along Route 66 from St. Louis to Santa Monica placing markers at each state line declaring the name Will Rogers Highway. It was only a movie promotion, not an
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 20, 2013
2. U.S. 66 Marker Sponsors
Also see . . .
1. Will Rogers Memorial Museums, Oklahoma. (Submitted on August 17, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Grand River Dam Authority. (Submitted on August 17, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 20, 2013
3. U.S. 66 Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 761 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 17, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
