Some history is worth repeating. If you haven’t trekked about Roger County in awhile, it’s time to go back in history.

Some counties across the United States don’t have a single listing on the National Register of Historic Places, but the county named for Will Rogers’ father, Cherokee Senator Clement Rogers, has 16 notable sites.

To be recognized on the federal record of places momentous in history, a property has to meet stringent requirements.  To begin, it has to be at least 50 years old (some exceptions may apply); it needs to retain much of its original appearance, and it should be associated with prominent historical occurrences. Proving eligibility comes by mass documentation and research.

It involves a nomination sent to the State Historic Preservation Office. The state evaluates the nominated property and can then reject the proposal or ask for more information.

Accepted places can be cataloged just with the state, itself, or may be recommended by the state for the National Register. If a recommendation occurs, the national review process begins with an even more scrupulous assessment.

The historical places in Rogers County that have qualified for the distinction are worth a repeat browse.

Verdigris Club Lodge

Roosting above the Verdigris River Valley in secluded woodland is the Verdigris Club Lodge. Now named Skelly Lodge, it was built in 1930 as a duck hunting club for Oklahoma’s most prominent men, including oil mogul William Skelly, who later purchased the property.

The lodge is fashioned in Swiss Chalet style with a clapboard and native stone exterior. The dealings of the Verdigris Club are unknown due to the exclusive nature of the founding organization, but it is rumored that many notorious figures were guests at the lodge.

The facility now functions as a Bed and Breakfast and is also available for receptions and special occasions. Call ahead; property gate may be closed, 266-3331.   

LOCATION

27795 S. Skelly Drive,
Catoosa

Will Rogers Hotel

The Spanish style hotel opened in 1930 on a prime location along Route 66. A draw for patrons highlighted the therapeutic mineral baths and testimonies of cures for ailments such as rheumatism. Whether the claims were substantiated or not, the hotel was a splendid stopping spot.

In the 1990’s the fading landmark was nearly demolished by a wrecking ball until the Rogers County Historical Society purchased the property for $1.  The building is now renovated into senior housing divided into 38 individual residences. The first and second floors are open for viewing. Tours can also be arranged. The sixth floor still contains some of the mineral bathtubs.

LOCATION

524 W. Will Rogers Boulevard,
Claremore

Belvidere Mansion

The mansion was completed the same year that Oklahoma earned statehood, 1907. It was commissioned by John M. Bayless- land developer, banker and merchant.

It is a grand three-story Victorian manor with a Repunzel tower at each corner. The two front towers are rounded and give the interior a soft circular structure.

The Belvidere has spent its span as a grand residence, a boarding house and a fading has-been, but is now a thriving component in the community.

It is a gift emporium, tea room, and events center. The third floors’ ballroom is lively once again with tapping feet and cheerful smiles each time a wedding reception or community social is held.

LOCATION

109 N. Chickasaw Avenue,
Claremore

Mendenhall’s Bath House

In 1903, a discovery was made while drilling for oil, it wasn’t black gold, it was healing water, or so-called. It drew patrons from all around with the lure of hydrotherapy.

A northern section of Claremore became known for its radium baths and nicknamed Radiumtown. The combination of 13 minerals was marketed to relieve the body and soul. It was also used to kill ticks on cattle and cure mange.

Mendenhall’s, now known as the Keller Bath house, was the first of the mineral water suppliers.

Today the wells are capped, but still present. 

LOCATION

601 E. 7th Street,
Claremore

Claremore Auto Dealership

This location has been modernized for progress, but once was a filling station and Ford Dealership. The old building was built circa 1930 with a Santa Fe flare.  The L-shape floor plan was a modern concept of the time. The design allowed for parking, which was a new requirement with the growing popularity of the automobile.

The gas pumps have long been removed, but the property still gives the impression of an old corner stop along Route 66.

Around 1940 cars were no longer sold at the site, but tires were. To date the business is still a family outfit, a tire store and garage. 

LOCATION

625 W. Will Rogers Boulevard,
Claremore

Eastern University Preparatory School

On College Hill, one mile west of Route 66, is a white monumental structure with a distinct gold dome. The building has served as an educational institution for over a century.

Construction on the crowned building, named Preparatory Hall, began in 1909.

The first class of graduates had five young Oklahomans that celebrated commencement. One year later the school grew to over 375 students. The institution eventually became a military school and later a college. The structure now accommodates offices and classrooms at Rogers State University.

LOCATION

College Hill,
Claremore

Maurice Meyer Hall

When visiting Rogers State University don’t miss the tribute to the Oklahoma Military Academy in Meyer Hall.  From 1919 to 1972 the military school nicknamed the “West Point of the southwest” was in operation. OMA provided a secondary education and two years of college for recruits. The graduates served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

Meyer Hall was the barracks, but now contains a museum on the second floor. The museum displays items like school uniforms, sports memorabilia and donated items from the cadets and their families.

LOCATION

College Hill,
Claremore

Hanes Home

Charles Hanes built the house in 1880 in the Cooweescoowee District of Indian Territory after marrying Delilah Thornton, a Native American orphan. You could say she was so nice; he married her twice, because they wed according to white law and then in a Native American ceremony. The home was built on Delilah’s heritage land allotment.

To date, the mortar that Hanes mixed by hand is still sustaining between the brown sandstones. The boulders used for steps and to shore up walls were hauled on sleds from a hillside over one mile away. 

The house was also the location of Sageeyah’s first school.

LOCATION

445 Road, one mile west of old Oklahoma HW 88,
Sageeyah

Will Rogers Birthplace

The wind comes sweeping down the plain at the house where Will Rogers was born in 1879. It stands overlooking a majestic view of Oologah Lake, which makes it a breezy place to visit on a scorching summer day.

The home, constructed of ten inch logs covered with clapboard, was practically built one room at a time. It is furnished much like it would have been in young Will’s day.

Patrons can watch video clips of Rogers in one room of the period-style barn.

RV Hook ups and picnic area available.

LOCATION

About 4 miles northeast of Oologah

The I. W. W. Beck Building

Built in 1907, the ornate mercantile still looks virtually unchanged in Oologah’s historic downtown. Its cheery red, white and blue shell is currently the location for Chamber of Commerce meetings. But for the past century the building has served as a furniture store, fabric store, daycare center, bookkeeping service and more.

The building is distinguishable by the raised name at its cap. When asked what I.W.W. stands for, the Beck descendents said Isaac Walter “Watermelon” Beck. Whether someone got their leg pulled we’ll never know, because that is the story.   

LOCATION

146 W. Cooweescoowee Avenue,
Oologah

Oologah Pump

The only public source of water in town was an iron hand-forced pump installed in 1907. People and animals gathered and shared the resource making the siphon the town hub.

It is said to be where Will Rogers met his beloved Betty.

Today water once again flows through the original pipeline, which was unearthed during renovation, but this time as a town shrine.

A monumental bronze sculpture of Will Rogers and his horse Comanche shadow the pump and remind all of an austere time.

LOCATION

Maple Street and Cooweescoowee Avenue,
Oologah

Oologah Bank

Dr. Edgar Pleas (pronounced place) initiated the building of Oologah’s first bank. It was only fit that he took the title of first bank president. The bank operated at the brick building on the southwest corner of Cooweescoowee Avenue and Maple from 1906 until 1932.

It was closed by order of the Oklahoma Banking Commission due to an embezzlement scandal, leaving Oologah without a bank for the next forty years.

The bank bears the town’s alternate spelling, Oolagah, as listed by the Iron Mountain railroad switch. It was robbed three times according to legend.

LOCATION

105 S. Maple Street,
Oologah

Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park

The park is decorated with numerous unique ethnic sculptures crafted by folk artisan Ed Galloway, but his most elevated achievement is a 90 foot totem pole, deemed world’s largest. It is said to be a tribute to Native American culture.

Galloway’s drive to create also led him to construct the distinctive Fiddle House. Originally it was erected to house Galloway’s hand-made fiddles, hence the name. It is now a museum displaying an eclectic array of arts and crafts.

The nine acre park includes picnic areas.

LOCATION

Ok 28A, 4 miles east of Route 66,
Foyil

Hogue House

In Chelsea, one block west of Route 66 on Olive Street, is the first Sears and Roebuck pre-cut home to be assembled in Oklahoma.

In 1911, Joe Hogue, a successful cattleman, ordered the house while on a trip to Chicago.  It was delivered in 1912 via the St. Louis and San Francisco railroads.

When added to the register, the two and one-half story house was listed as original from floor to ceiling, including fixtures and hardware. According to Sears and Roebuck archives, the Hogue House is considered one of the best examples of the model home in the country.

LOCATION

10th and Olive Street,
Chelsea

Chelsea Motel

Near the town where oil was first found, stands a shedding structure built in 1936. The six room motel was where many Route 66 travelers put their feet up after a day of driving.  

The neon sign has flickered its last wink, but it still stands as a beacon of bygone days. The roadside rest stop dwindled with the opening of Interstate-44 and the up rise of motel chains.

The site makes an interesting subject for photographers, because the patterned lumber encasing the front of the building was generally only used on interior walls. The Route 66 Association endorses the inn as an excellent example of a mom and pop establishment.

LOCATION

Junction First and Route 66,
Chelsea

Pryor Creek Bridge

Bridging the past with the present is an old time structure stretching across Pryor Creek on retired Route 66. The bridge was built in 1926, the same year the Highway was designated as Route 66, but later bypassed.

It has a modified Pratt through truss design, which means you drive through the structure with an overhead clearance. The word ‘truss’ signifies that it is made up of a combination of triangles. The modified Pratt differs from the original Pratt, because the junctures were riveted for additional strength opposed to the pin-connected earlier version.

There is only one other bridge in the state remaining on Route 66 that has the same design.

LOCATION

First Street, just off Route 66,
Chelsea