Day 3 Continued... The Blue Whale of Catoosa, OK

 I thought I would be able to post again yesterday, but it was a LONG day and we were worn out. After getting back on the road yesterday we went to see the Blue Whale of Catoosa in Catoosa, Oklahoma. This is an iconic stop along the old Route 66. I will put some of the history of it on here as well. This was a fun stop. I made sandwiches and packed a lunch and we sat at the tables there around the little lake and ate and stretched our legs. The kids loved climbing on the whale and looking out the windows at the top. We got snow cones and spent about an hour just taking a break from driving. It was a fun stop and one of those things where you can say you have seen it. 

Now as for the history of the roadside attraction here is why it is there. 

This large blue whale has become a Route 66 roadside attraction. The Blue Whale of Catoosa is a waterfront structure, located just east of the town of Catoosa, Oklahoma, and it has become one of the most recognizable attractions on old Route 66. Hugh Davis built the Blue Whale in the early 1970s as a surprise anniversary gift to his wife Zelta, who collected whale figurines. The Blue Whale and its pond became a favored swimming hole for both locals and travelers along Route 66 alike.Originally, the pond surrounding the massive Blue Whale was spring fed and intended only for family use. However, as many locals began to come to enjoy its waters, Davis brought in tons of sand, built picnic tables, hired life guards, and opened it to the public. Originally called Nature’s Acres, Mr. Davis continued to add to the roadside attraction until it eventually included The Fun and Swim Blue Whale and the A.R.K. (Animal Reptile Kingdom). The attraction also featured Hugh’s brother-in-law, Indian Chief Wolf Robe Hunt, a full blooded Acoma Indian, who was famous, in his own right, for his Indian paintings and as a highly skilled silversmith. Chief Wolf-Robe Hunt once ran the Arrowood Trading post across the highway from the Blue Whale attraction.By 1988, the Davises were not able to continue managing the attraction, so they closed it to the public. In 1990 Mr. Davis died. The park soon fell into disrepair, crumbling from neglect and weather. However, after a decade the people of Catoosa and employees of the Hampton Inn launched a fund-raising and volunteer effort to restore the Route 66 landmark. The Blue Whale was restored and repainted to its original brilliant blue. The adjacent picnic area has also been restored.