Road trip on Route 66 to Erick, Oklahoma



Route 66 Travel Guide to Erick, Oklahoma

Welcome to Erick, Oklahoma ... Established in 1903Welcome 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
Map of Historic Route 66 in Oklahoma showing the location of Erick


Sandhills Curiosity Shop

This 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.

Harley-Annabelle at Facebook

The Sandhills Curiosity Shop in the old City Meat Market building in Erick, Oklahoma

The Sandhills Curiosity Shop in the old City Meat Market building in Erick, Oklahoma ... Insanity at its Finest!

Route 66 Roadside Attraction: The Sandhills Curiosity Shop in the old City Meat Market building in Erick, Oklahoma

Entrance porch at The Sandhills Curiosity Shop in the old City Meat Market building in Erick, Oklahoma Inside The Sandhills Curiosity Shop in the old City Meat Market building in Erick, Oklahoma

The Music Stars from Erick

Erick 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.

Roger Miller mural in Erick, Oklahoma


Sam's Town

Sam's Town is located at 401 W. Roger Miller Boulevard (Route 66) in Erick, one block west of Sheb Wooley Avenue. This captivating art installation tells the unique stories of Western Oklahoma's past. The site includes items collected and curated by renowned photographer Samuel Hagen. Sam's passion for this preservation makes it a must-see destination for those seeking to explore the rich tapestry of history and art that defines the iconic Route 66.

It's a nice area located right on Route 66 where travelers can stop, rest a bit, stretch their legs and take a tour! Visit their Facebook page for AirBnB options for overnight stays.

For more information, visit the website of Sam's Town and Sam's Town on Facebook ... phone 805.585.8333

Sam's Town on Route 66 in Erick, Oklahoma
Sam's Town on Route 66 in Erick, Oklahoma ... Rent a Room, AirBnB, artists welcome!
Sam's Town on Route 66 in Erick, Oklahoma ... slow down America ...rest area, camping, AirBnB Visitors enjoying the grounds at Sam's Town on Route 66 in Erick, Oklahoma
The Red Dirt Gallery at Sam's Town on Route 66 in Erick, Oklahoma The 100 year old school house at Sam's Town on Route 66 in Erick, Oklahoma

100th Meridian Museum

The 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 Center

Located 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 

Exterior and grounds of the Erick Tourism Information Center in Oklahoma Route 66 memorabilia at the Erick Tourism Information Center in Oklahoma
Sitting area and travel brochures at the Erick Tourism Information Center in Oklahoma Information desk at the Erick Tourism Information Center in Oklahoma


Lodging, Dining and Attractions in the Erick Area

TripAdvisor

Erick Travel Guide at TripAdvisor

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

City of Erick on Facebook

Erick Tourism Information Center at TravelOK.com

Travel Oklahoma: Route 66

Oklahoma Historical Society: Route 66

Oklahoma Route 66 Association

Erick Weather at WeatherUnderground


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Oklahoma Route 66 Passport

The Official Oklahoma Route 66 Passport

The Oklahoma Route 66 Passport from the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department helps Route 66 travelers find new destinations to explore and document their progress along the way. A new updated passport (yellow) is being offered beginning in 2023.

The Route 66 Passport, which is available free at TravelOK.com, features 66 of the state’s memorable Mother Road attractions. It includes iconic stops like Catoosa’s Blue Whale, Stroud’s Rock Cafe and Clinton’s Oklahoma Route 66 Museum along with many newer favorites.

Get your passport stamped at each stop, then take it to a Tourism Information Center to be verified and earn an exclusive Route 66 coin.

Both the new yellow and previous red Route 66 Passports are now available in a digital format. Download the official TravelOK Trip Planner app on the Apple App Store or Google Play to get started. When you get to each stop, you'll find a code displayed that you can enter to digitally check in.