Oklahomans are known around the country as being some of the friendliest people, and we couldn't agree more. We have so many small towns all over the state that could take the title as "the friendliest town," but there's one that stands out to us - Woodward. This small-town is located on the Western side of the state and is a laid-back place that's perfect to visit the next time you need a pick-me-up.
Woodward is described as "a town where everyone is family" and was once a finalist for the "The Friendliest Town In America" contest by bestoftheroad.com. The vibe is chill, and you'll be greeted by friendly faces everywhere you go.
While visiting the town, we have many places you'll want to check out. First up is a little shopping at Walker Mercantile Company. With over 6,500 square feet of made-in Oklahoma products, homemade goodies, and lots of other treasures, this place is a must-visit.
If you visit on a Saturday from May through October, be sure and visit the Woodward Farmer's Market for some of the freshest fruits and vegetables around.
The Plains Indians and Pioneers Museum is filled with educational and immersive displays of an old Frontier town. It's also the main tourist headquarter for the town, so you'll learn a lot about this friendly place here.
Nature enthusiasts can't miss a trip to the beautiful Boiling Springs State Park - an 820-acre park in Woodward that's filled with hiking, golfing, camping, and more.
If you’re looking to brush up on your Oklahoma trivia or you’re interested in learning new facts about your beloved state, we found some things to add to your state fact sheet - Oklahoma firsts! That’s right, there are several things Oklahoma did first, and we’re going to highlight some of them. From pushing shopping carts in grocery stores to feeding parking meters, these Oklahoma inventions might surprise you.
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1. Oklahoma was the first state to install a parking meter.
Route 66, America’s most beloved highway, was born right here in Oklahoma. Cyrus Avery, a Tulsa businessman and promoter of good roads, spearheaded the national committee that created the U.S. Highway System in 1926. We were the first state to design and install the distinctive historic markers and we are home to the first state-sponsored Route 66 Museum in the nation, making this one of the most impressive of all Oklahoma firsts!
The world's first male Liliger cub was born at a private zoo in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, on May 31, 2014. Liligers are the hybrid offspring of a male lion named Simba and a female liger named Akaria.
Oklahoma is the first state to approve gassing prisoners with nitrogen in order to carry out death penalty sentences. The state’s Republican Governor Mary Fallin signed the Oklahoma gassing capital punishment bill into law in 2015.
6. Oklahoma has the first and possibly only museum devoted to the collection of lighters in the nation.
No list of things Oklahoma did first would be complete without a mention of The National Lighter Museum, which is located in Guthrie and is the only museum of its kind in the world, dedicated to collecting and preserving the history of the evolution of lighters.
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7. Oklahoma was the site of the first radio station west of the Mississippi (and the third in the nation).
First established in the 1920s, WKY still broadcasts today in a Spanish-speaking format, retaining its original call letters even though stations west of the Mississippi today begin with the letter "K" rather than "W". Oklahoma City is also the birthplace for radio legend Ted Quillin, one of the noted "Seven Swingin’ Gentlemen" credited with introducing the Hollywood radio market to rock & roll.
Burt Holmes convinced a former junior high school classmate, Chester Cadieux, to invest in and operate the store they decide to call QuikTrip. Burt and Chester opened the first QuikTrip on Sept. 25, 1958 in Tulsa.
The first shopping cart was introduced on June 4, 1937. It was the invention of Sylvan Goldman, owner of the Humpty Dumpty supermarket chain in Oklahoma. The invention did not catch on immediately. After hiring several male and female models to push his new invention around his store and demonstrate their utility, as well as greeters to explain their use, shopping carts became extremely popular.
11. The state capitol has the first and only working oil well on capitol grounds in the United States.
What is Oklahoma famous for? Only the most popular cookies on the planet! The first Girl Scout cookies ever sold were in Muskogee in 1917. They were personally baked by the Mistletoe Troop, and the profits were used to send gifts to Doughboys fighting World War I.
So, did you know about these Oklahoma inventions? Were you surprised by anything on this list? Know of any other Oklahoma firsts that should’ve been included above? Whatever you have to say, we want to hear it so share your thoughts with us!
Can’t get enough of Oklahoma? Show off your state pride with some gear from Wear Your Roots. Then, check out our article, which highlights obscure facts about Oklahoma that many are completely unaware of.
All Oklahomans know that their state is special, and the Sooner State has plenty of interesting history. Even long-time residents may be surprised to learn some of the little-known facts about the state's past and the people who have lived in it. Here are 14 fun facts about Oklahoma that even Oklahoma natives may not have heard:
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1. The Will Rogers World Airport and the Wiley Post Airport are both named after two famous Oklahomans, both of whom perished in the same airplane crash.
Will Rogers and Wiley Post were both Oklahoma natives who were renowned in their respective fields. Will Rogers was a beloved comedian, actor, and social commentator, while Wiley Post was an aviation pioneer. Both men tragically died in a plane crash in 1935 in Alaska. The Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City and the Wiley Post Airport in Bethany, Oklahoma are both named in their honor. The airports serve as a reminder of the legacy that these two men left behind.
2. Oklahoma has outdone all other states in producing astronauts.
Oklahoma is the only state to have astronauts who have taken part in all stages of the US space program, reflecting the state's pioneering spirit and its ongoing contribution to the exploration of space. Seven astronauts have hailed from Oklahoma as of 2020.
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3. Oklahoma is the only state in the U.S. that produces iodine.
In Oklahoma, iodine is extracted from underground deposits (mostly in northwestern Oklahoma) and is used primarily in the production of animal feed supplements, x-ray contrast agents, and other industrial products.
4. Boise City, Oklahoma, was the only city in the United States to be bombed during World War II.
On July 5, 1943, a U.S. Army bomber accidentally dropped bombs on the town while on a training mission. The bombing caused limited damage and no casualties were reported. However, the event remains a unique and little-known part of American history, serving as a reminder of the unintended consequences of even routine military training exercises.
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5. Muskogee marked the start of the Girl Scout Cookie sale in 1917.
In 1917, the first-ever Girl Scout cookie sale was held in Muskogee, marking the beginning of a fundraising tradition that has since become a staple of the organization.
6. Grand Lake's Pensacola Dam is the longest multi-arched dam in the world.
The dam, located on Grand Lake in northeastern Oklahoma, is the longest multi-arched dam in the world, stretching a total of 6,565 feet. The dam was built in the late 1930s as part of a large-scale project to create a recreational lake and generate hydroelectric power. The multi-arched design, which features numerous arches spanning the width of the dam, was chosen for its stability and ability to withstand the forces of water and earthquakes.
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7. The Port of Catoosa is the largest inland port in the United States.
The port handles a diverse array of cargo, including agricultural products, petroleum products, and heavy equipment, and serves as a key connection between the Midwest and Gulf Coast regions of the country.
8. Oklahoma has the highest concentration of tornadoes per square mile anywhere in the world.
The combination of warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and cool, dry air from the Rocky Mountains creates an ideal environment for the formation of tornadoes. As a result, the state has the highest concentration of tornadoes per square mile of any location in the world, making it one of the most tornado-prone regions on earth.
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9. The shopping cart was invented in Ardmore in 1936.
The shopping cart was invented in Ardmore in 1936 by Sylvan Goldman. Goldman was a grocery store owner who sought to make shopping easier and more efficient for his customers.
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We would say he sure did...this invention spread around the world and is one of the most used items in retail stores today.
10. Cimarron County, located in the Oklahoma Panhandle, is the only county in the U.S. bordered by 4 separate states - Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, and Kansas.
Cimarron County is an important crossroads for travel and commerce in the region and gives it a unique character and cultural heritage. The county's location in the panhandle also means that it is subject to the influences of several different regional climates and geographies, from the arid deserts of New Mexico to the rolling prairies of Kansas.
11. Bartlesville can be credited with the invention of the aerosol can.
Adding to the list of genius inventions by Oklahomans is the aerosol can. The first successful commercial aerosol can was developed in the 1940s by Robert H. Abplanalp, a resident of Bartlesville, who went on to start the Precision Valve Corporation.
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12. No Democratic presidential candidate has won a single county in the state since 2000.
In recent presidential elections, Oklahoma has consistently gone for the Republican candidate by large margins, making it one of the most Republican-leaning states in the country.
13. Oklahoma is the only state with an official state meal.
While many other states have one or more official foods, it is the only official state meal. So what's exactly in our meal? It consists of BBQ pork, sausage with biscuits and gravy, chicken-fried steak, fried okra, squash, black-eyed peas, grits, corn, cornbread, pecan pie, and strawberries.
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14. The Oklahoma State Capitol is the only capitol in the U.S. with working oil wells on its grounds.
The oil wells were drilled in the 1930s and continue to produce oil to this day. The revenue generated from the sale of the oil is used to help fund the maintenance and preservation of the state capitol building.
How many of these facts surprised you? What’s your favorite quirky fact about Oklahoma history? Let us know in the comments! And be sure to wear your love of Oklahoma on your sleeve when you check out this unique apparel from Wear Your Roots.
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