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The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma is one of many museums commemorating this historic road. It stands out in the quality of many of the displays but also the scope of it's displays. Not only does the museum cover classic cars, tourist traps, and drive-in culture but it has additional displays covering the cultural and industrial history of Oklahoma.

Route 66 is one of the few remaining and remembered byways from the early days of cross country motor travel. In a day before the interstate system and standardized routes—when motor clubs marked roads and popular thruways had their own name—Route 66 was the Mother Road.

Today, only portions of the historic route are maintained. Towns that thrived around historic tourist traffic are now bypassed by Route 66’s heir, Interstate 40. All the same, classic tourist draws, diners, and structures in homage to the Mother Road continue to flank the remaining portions of this classic piece of Americana.

One stop not to miss is the National Route 66 Museum Complex in Elk City, Oklahoma. We came to learn about Route 66 but stayed for the displays on classic cars, pioneer life, rodeo riders, and ranching. You see, the National Route 66 Museum is just one of a series of museums that are accessible with your ticket. We visited them all.

The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma is one of many museums commemorating this historic road. It stands out in the quality of many of the displays but also the scope of it's displays. Not only does the museum cover classic cars, tourist traps, and drive-in culture but it has additional displays covering the cultural and industrial history of Oklahoma.
Entry to the National Route 66 Transportation Museum
The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma is one of many museums commemorating this historic road. It stands out in the quality of many of the displays but also the scope of it's displays. Not only does the museum cover classic cars, tourist traps, and drive-in culture but it has additional displays covering the cultural and industrial history of Oklahoma.
Map of museum guests.

The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma is one of many museums commemorating this historic road. It stands out in the quality of many of the displays but also the scope of it's displays. Not only does the museum cover classic cars, tourist traps, and drive-in culture but it has additional displays covering the cultural and industrial history of Oklahoma.
Outside the Route 66 Museum

National Route 66 Museum

The National Route 66 Museum is one of many museums commemorating this historic road. It stands out in the quality of many of the displays but also the scope of its displays. Not only does the museum cover classic cars, tourist traps, and drive-in culture but it has additional displays covering the cultural and industrial history of Oklahoma.

Visitors absolutely should take the time to start with the short informative movie that introduces visitors to the history and cultural importance of Route 66 before wandering through displays of classic cars and Route 66 dioramas.

The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma is one of many museums commemorating this historic road. It stands out in the quality of many of the displays but also the scope of it's displays. Not only does the museum cover classic cars, tourist traps, and drive-in culture but it has additional displays covering the cultural and industrial history of Oklahoma.
1928 Ford Truck

The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma is one of many museums commemorating this historic road. It stands out in the quality of many of the displays but also the scope of it's displays. Not only does the museum cover classic cars, tourist traps, and drive-in culture but it has additional displays covering the cultural and industrial history of Oklahoma.
Army outside the Big Canyon Arizona Indian Trading Post
The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma is one of many museums commemorating this historic road. It stands out in the quality of many of the displays but also the scope of it's displays. Not only does the museum cover classic cars, tourist traps, and drive-in culture but it has additional displays covering the cultural and industrial history of Oklahoma.
Classic trading post on the side of Route 66.
The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma is one of many museums commemorating this historic road. It stands out in the quality of many of the displays but also the scope of it's displays. Not only does the museum cover classic cars, tourist traps, and drive-in culture but it has additional displays covering the cultural and industrial history of Oklahoma.
A diorama of classic destinations along Route 66.

National Route 66 Transportation Museum

The Route 66 Transportation Museum melds classic cars with the history of the mother road. Visitors can sit in a 1959 Cadillac and watch the scenery roll by or cuddle up in a flashy Chevrolet Biscayne to experience an evening at the drive in with clips of The Swamp Thing.

The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma is one of many museums commemorating this historic road. It stands out in the quality of many of the displays but also the scope of it's displays. Not only does the museum cover classic cars, tourist traps, and drive-in culture but it has additional displays covering the cultural and industrial history of Oklahoma.
National Transportation Museum
The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma is one of many museums commemorating this historic road. It stands out in the quality of many of the displays but also the scope of it's displays. Not only does the museum cover classic cars, tourist traps, and drive-in culture but it has additional displays covering the cultural and industrial history of Oklahoma.
1917 Reo Fire Truck

The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma is one of many museums commemorating this historic road. It stands out in the quality of many of the displays but also the scope of it's displays. Not only does the museum cover classic cars, tourist traps, and drive-in culture but it has additional displays covering the cultural and industrial history of Oklahoma.
Classic airplane suspended over the hall of vehicles.
The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma is one of many museums commemorating this historic road. It stands out in the quality of many of the displays but also the scope of it's displays. Not only does the museum cover classic cars, tourist traps, and drive-in culture but it has additional displays covering the cultural and industrial history of Oklahoma.
1959 Cadillac

The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma is one of many museums commemorating this historic road. It stands out in the quality of many of the displays but also the scope of it's displays. Not only does the museum cover classic cars, tourist traps, and drive-in culture but it has additional displays covering the cultural and industrial history of Oklahoma.
Chevrolet Biscayne
The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma is one of many museums commemorating this historic road. It stands out in the quality of many of the displays but also the scope of it's displays. Not only does the museum cover classic cars, tourist traps, and drive-in culture but it has additional displays covering the cultural and industrial history of Oklahoma.
Closeup on a 1965 Harley Davidson “Electra Glide”

The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma is one of many museums commemorating this historic road. It stands out in the quality of many of the displays but also the scope of it's displays. Not only does the museum cover classic cars, tourist traps, and drive-in culture but it has additional displays covering the cultural and industrial history of Oklahoma.
Classic motorcycles
The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma is one of many museums commemorating this historic road. It stands out in the quality of many of the displays but also the scope of it's displays. Not only does the museum cover classic cars, tourist traps, and drive-in culture but it has additional displays covering the cultural and industrial history of Oklahoma.
Vintage trailer on display

The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma is one of many museums commemorating this historic road. It stands out in the quality of many of the displays but also the scope of it's displays. Not only does the museum cover classic cars, tourist traps, and drive-in culture but it has additional displays covering the cultural and industrial history of Oklahoma.
Blueprints of a Outdoorman’s lightweight trailer from Outdoor Life and Popular Science Monthly.

Old Town Museum

The Old Town Museum includes an historic doctors office, school house, opera house, and other mainstays of early town living. But the creme de la creme of the collection is certainly the two story Victorian house located on the south-east corner of the complex. The lower floor devotes rooms to pioneer life, Native American art work, military service, and local darling Susan Powell, Miss America 1981. Yet, the real excitement is up stairs.

The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma is one of many museums commemorating this historic road. It stands out in the quality of many of the displays but also the scope of it's displays. Not only does the museum cover classic cars, tourist traps, and drive-in culture but it has additional displays covering the cultural and industrial history of Oklahoma.
Displays commemorate famous rodeo stock as well as riders.

The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma is one of many museums commemorating this historic road. It stands out in the quality of many of the displays but also the scope of it's displays. Not only does the museum cover classic cars, tourist traps, and drive-in culture but it has additional displays covering the cultural and industrial history of Oklahoma.
Recreated historic classroom.
The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma is one of many museums commemorating this historic road. It stands out in the quality of many of the displays but also the scope of it's displays. Not only does the museum cover classic cars, tourist traps, and drive-in culture but it has additional displays covering the cultural and industrial history of Oklahoma.
Bomb Pedal Car
The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma is one of many museums commemorating this historic road. It stands out in the quality of many of the displays but also the scope of it's displays. Not only does the museum cover classic cars, tourist traps, and drive-in culture but it has additional displays covering the cultural and industrial history of Oklahoma.
Outside the Farm & Ranch Museum

Early Cowboy & Rodeo Life

The second floor of the Victorian house is dedicated to early cowboy & rodeo life. Along with newspaper clippings and donated items from the Beutler Brothers Rodeo Stock Producers, are walls covered in elaborate murals celebrating famous rodeo riders, bucking bulls, and clowns.

The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma is one of many museums commemorating this historic road. It stands out in the quality of many of the displays but also the scope of it's displays. Not only does the museum cover classic cars, tourist traps, and drive-in culture but it has additional displays covering the cultural and industrial history of Oklahoma.
The upper level of the Old Town Museum is devoted to early cowboy and rodeo life.
The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma is one of many museums commemorating this historic road. It stands out in the quality of many of the displays but also the scope of it's displays. Not only does the museum cover classic cars, tourist traps, and drive-in culture but it has additional displays covering the cultural and industrial history of Oklahoma.
Celebrating rodeo bucking bulls and saddle brones.
The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma is one of many museums commemorating this historic road. It stands out in the quality of many of the displays but also the scope of it's displays. Not only does the museum cover classic cars, tourist traps, and drive-in culture but it has additional displays covering the cultural and industrial history of Oklahoma.
I am so impressed by the painting decorating the rodeo section

The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Oklahoma is one of many museums commemorating this historic road. It stands out in the quality of many of the displays but also the scope of it's displays. Not only does the museum cover classic cars, tourist traps, and drive-in culture but it has additional displays covering the cultural and industrial history of Oklahoma.
Displays commemorate famous rodeo stock as well as riders.

Blacksmith Museum

We have seen our share of blacksmith shops demonstrating those historic skills of making nails, horseshoes, and commemorative candle holders. This is the first time that I have seen a wall full of anvils lined up. Unfortunately, there were no blacksmith demonstrations in progress at the time of our visit. Yet, they certainly are set to put on quite a show.

Farm & Ranch Museum

Perhaps there is no better structure to house a Farm & Ranch Museum than a classic red barn. Elk City delivers with a barn full of early farm and ranching equipment.

A Parting Thought

Elk City is one of many cities that flourished around historic Route 66. The Mother Road remains the main thoroughfare traveling east to west through town. For travelers in a rush, it remains an easy opportunity to travel the historic route and the museum complex is right there on the main drag!

Lexi lives in a truck camper down by the river.

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