ALVA—Three miles west of Alva is the largest petting zoo in the state of Oklahoma. Bradt’s Menagerie, just off U.S. 64, opened as an official Oklahoma Agritourism farm in September…
Category: Attraction
The only show in town: El-Co Drive In brings movies to far Northwest Oklahoma
SHATTUCK—In the early 1950s, like many communities across the nation, Shattuck opened a drive-in movie theater downtown. The drive-in was built and opened in the summer of 1952. It was…
Mining for jewels: Crystal digging season has begun
JET—Tuesday was no joke freezing cold and windy like being on the tundra in the furthest part of the northern hemisphere. But it wasn’t the Arctic or Alaskan terrain, but…
Flying high: Pond Creek pilot launched into film stardom
POND CREEK—Pilot Randy Alexander had no idea he’d become a movie star in his 70s. The now-retired aviator, who professionally flew for Deterding Aerial in Pond Creek until three months…
Sands of time: Old friends drawing new tourists to Waynoka
WAYNOKA—Mike Balch grew up in Waynoka and so did Ana Ramirez. The two of them have been the best of friends since they were kids. Both left their hometown for…
Racing into history: Ames museum showcases motorsport memorabilia
AMES—Have you raced over to Ames lately? Off the beaten path and inside the old elementary school is Hajek Motorsports Museum. Parked within those walls are more racecars per capita…
Midway gas station serves as extra in “Twisters”
KREMLIN—Midway between Kremlin and Hillsdale is a station situated on U.S. 81 aptly named Midway. The convenience store and subsequent gas station originally opened in the 1980s to service customers…
Keeping history alive in Billings
BILLINGS—In 1899, a flourishing township not far over the Garfield County line in Noble County officially formed as Billings. Residents had relocated there following the Land Run of 1893 when…
Heart of the matter: Purple Heart City equals patriotism
HENNESSEY—Earlier this month Hennessey joined the ranks of Purple Heart City. More than 60 cities in the state have been designated as such. In Northwest Oklahoma, Hennessey is the fourth…
The reel thing: Rialto has been entertaining Alva since 1930s
ALVA—For over 90 years, the Jones family has been amusing audiences in the Alva area. Homer Jones began honing his showmanship skills as a youngster, working as an usher in…