Route 66 in the News
Drive-In Theater on 66 Among Popular Landmarks
2008-04-13 15:03:07
Oklahoma is a state of natural beauty, rich history and quaint, small-town charm. It's no secret that many areas are hidden havens for homemade pies, serene lakes and weekend getaways. But don't let the small-town surface fool you. We have all heard that big things come in small packages, and in Oklahoma this rings true, literally.
There is nothing like taking in the big sky of an Oklahoma summer evening while watching some big-screen entertainment, especially at the Admiral Twin Drive-In movie theater in Tulsa. People of all ages arrive by the carload just before sundown to get a good parking spot. Blankets, lawn chairs and the aroma of buttered popcorn create a vintage feel to the Tulsa landmark.
Originally a single screen in 1951, the theater was known to customers as the Modern Aire. It was renamed the Admiral Twin Drive-In the following year, after a second screen was built. If you have not seen the theater, check out the 1983 classic movie "The Outsiders,” featuring an all-star cast including Tom Cruise. The Admiral Twin Drive-In served as the characters' main hangout in the epic movie.
Oil is a rich tradition in Oklahoma, so much of the state's history is steeped in the natural resource. Many people live comfortably because of their jobs in the oil industry.
Nothing represents the oil heritage like the Golden Driller statue in Tulsa. The 76-foot-tall landmark was adopted as a state monument in 1979 and has stood proudly over the city since 1953. The solid statue, which weighs 43,500 pounds, can withstand 200 mile-per-hour winds, which is necessary in the heart of Tornado Alley. The Driller was voted the "quirkiest destination” in the United States in 2006 by an online contest sponsored by a toilet paper company.
The beauty of horses is something most Oklahomans appreciate, as these animals are common at ranches and farms across the state. Yukon is home to some of the largest, most striking horses in the nation: Clydesdales. Standing in the presence of these horses can cause anyone to hold their breath; they are 6 feet tall at the shoulder, can weigh 1,800 to 2,300 pounds and have hooves the size of dinner plates. For a close-up view, visit the Express Clydesdales Ranch on the historic Chisholm Trail. The barn was built in 1936, but was restored in 1997 by Amish barn specialists from Indiana.
The historic Route 66 highway guides many travelers across the country. It runs through the heart of Arcadia, a small town that offers a big attraction — a 66-foot-tall pop bottle. This soda pop bottle lights up the night, inviting travelers to explore the entirety of the Pops attraction which includes a futuristic gas station and restaurant. The restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner but is most famous for its sodas, more that 400 bubbly flavors.
While Arcadia claims a giant pop bottle, Meers prides itself on the Meersburger, a hamburger 7 inches in diameter. This burger has been voted "Best Burger in Oklahoma” and is made of Texas longhorn beef. The Meers longhorns are raised on the family ranch near the restaurant.
The Meersburger was created by former owner Al Foster in 1976. Cowboys would come in after a morning of labor and order two or three hamburgers for lunch, which the kitchen could not produce fast enough. Foster concluded that a larger burger would satisfy the cowboys' hunger and put the cooks at ease. Thus the iconic Meersburger became a big attraction for hungry travelers ever since.
~Lacey Taylor, for The Oklahoman
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