Route 66 Travel Guide to Erick, Oklahoma
 Welcome to Erick, Oklahoma ... Established in 1903 |
U.S. Route 66 was one of the United States' first continuous stretches of paved highway, and served as a major path for those who migrated west.
"The Mother Road" was established on November 11, 1926, and ultimately stretched 2,448 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles.
In Oklahoma, Route 66 covered 432 miles. After traveling through Illinois, Missouri and Kansas, the Mother Road entered Oklahoma near Commerce, and headed southwest to Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Weatherford, Elk City and into Erick.
In general, it followed the route of present-day Interstate I-44. From Erick, Route 66 continued west into Texas.
Erick, Oklahoma
Erick is located in western Beckham County, Oklahoma, on Route 66 (Business Route 40) and Interstate I-40, 15 miles west of Sayre and 6 miles east of the Oklahoma-Texas border. The population was about 700 residents as of the 2020 census.
Erick was established in the early 1900s as a farming and agricultural community. It was located on the National Old Trails Road, and later on U.S. Route 66. Erick was named after Beeks Erick, the townsite developer and president of the Choctaw Townsite & Improvement Company. In later years, the oil and natural gas industry would help the town to grow and prosper.
The four lanes of Route 66 from Erick to Sayre, Oklahoma were on the last Oklahoma segment of the Mother Road to be bypassed by I-40, in 1975.
Map of Historic Route 66 in Oklahoma showing the location of Erick |
Sandhills Curiosity ShopThis popular Route 66 attraction is located in the old City Meat Market, the oldest brick building in Erick, at 201 S. Sheb Wooley Street. Housed in the building is the famous Sandhills Curiosity Shop featuring Insanity at Its Finest! It is owned by Harley Russell, born in Erick in 1945, who sings and plays music for visitors via his Mediocre Music Program! Admission is free, donations are accepted. Harley's country, hillbilly accent was the inspiration of the "Mater" character in the Disney/Pixar film Cars, and he spent time helping Larry the Cable Guy (who voiced Mater) adopt the accent. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association has inducted Harley, and his late wife Annabelle, into its Hall of Fame.
|
The Music Stars from ErickErick was home to two Country music singers and stars. Sheb Wooley, the actor, songwriter, and singer who recorded the hit song "Purple People Eater" was born there in 1921. Roger Miller, country superstar and author of "King of the Road," "Dang Me," "You Can't Roller Skate in a Buffalo Herd," and others, was born in Fort Worth, Texas, but grew up in Erick from the age of three. Shown below is the Roger Miller Mural in Erick. |
100th Meridian MuseumThe 100th Meridian Museum is located in the former First National Bank Building, built circa 1907. It holdings include artifacts from prehistoric times to present, an exhibit about the disputed boundary between Texas and Oklahoma, and as well as a Route 66 exhibit. The bank building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. |
Erick Tourism Information CenterLocated between Exits 9 and 10 on I-40, the Erick Tourism Information Center offers brochures and travel resources on local and statewide attractions, events, lodging and more. The facility includes clean restrooms, a vending area, advice from trained travel counselors, a gift shop and hundreds of free brochures and visitor guides. Read more about the Erick Tourism Information Center
|
Lodging, Dining and Attractions in the Erick Area
Hotels in/near Erick with traveler reviews at TripAdvisor Erick restaurant reviews at TripAdvisor Attractions and Things to Do in Erick |
Interactive Map of Erick, Oklahoma
More Information about Erick and Route 66 |
|
Erick Tourism Information Center at TravelOK.com |
MORE OKLAHOMA ROUTE 66
|
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
