FREEDOM—Hidden in the hills of Northwest Oklahoma is the world’s largest gypsum cave open to the public. The main cave at Alabaster Caverns State Park has been wowing people for…
Category: Attraction
By air and rail: Waynoka has been delighting passengers for over a century
WAYNOKA—For over a century, the Northwest Oklahoma community formerly known as Keystone has been serving up food and transportation for commoners and celebrities alike. In fact, in the late 1920s,…
It’s a zoo: Bradt’s Menagerie offers fun on the farm
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…
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…