Points of Interest
Elk City hosts captivating sights and experiences, boasting a rich tapestry of historic monuments and landmarks, fascinating architecture, and unique artwork. There’s an abundance of beauty and wonder waiting to be discovered and explored.
Parker Drilling Rig #114
At 181 feet (17 stories), Parker Drilling Rig #114 is one of the world’s tallest oil rigs. The rig was originally built in the 1960’s to drill shafts for underground nuclear testing and later was used for discovering oil. It currently stands at the center of Elk City on Historic Route 66. It dominates the Elk City Skyline.
Centennial Lighthouse
Ackley Park West. 501 N Pioneer Rd.
The Elk City Centennial Lighthouse stands 42 feet tall. The structure is made of stucco over steel, and was designed by local architect Tommy Shaw. A beacon lights up a dusk. Fundraising for the lighthouse began in 2005 as a joint project of the City of Elk City and Elk City Chamber of Commerce. More than $90,000 was raised for the project. The lighthouse was dedicated on November 15, 2007, in honor of Oklahoma’s Centennial.
Bull Elk
S. Washington Ave and W. 3rd St.
Located in front of Elk City City Hall is a 1,700-pound bronze sculpture by Elk City native Jay Hylton. It’s a likeness of a bull elk with its head tilted back and mouth open as if calling out. It’s 9 1/2 feet tall, 9 feet long and weighs nearly a ton. The statue was dedicated in 2003.
More bull elk statues have been added to the city. There is one in front of Arrowhead Center, another in front of Elk City High School, and two more at the intersection of State Highway 6 and Interstate 40 (Exit 38).
Casa Grande Hotel
The Casa Grande Hotel is a historic hotel located on historic U.S. Route 66 in downtown Elk City. The hotel opened in 1928, shortly after Route 66 was designated, to lodge the growing number of travelers on the highway. Architects Hawk and Parr designed the four-story building in the Spanish Eclectic style; their design features arched windows and doors and stone ornamentation along the arches. The Casa Grande is the only high-rise hotel on Route 66 between Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Amarillo, Texas. (from Wikipedia)
The hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.
Whited Grist Mill
Ackley Park, Historic Route 66 (W 3rd St.) & Pioneer Rd.
The Whited Mill operated between 1903 and 1944. It was moved from its original location on 7th Street near Elk Creek in 1985 to it’s present location in Ackley Park across the street from the Old Town Museum.
The old mill was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
Elk City Carnegie Library
221 W. Broadway Ave.
www.elkcity.com/library
This historic building was built in 1912 with a donation from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. The main and children’s libraries were newly remodeled in 2022. The Elk City Library provides access to the best materials and services to meet the ever-changing information, education, cultural and lifelong personal growth needs of the members of the community.
Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; and Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m..
Veterans Memorial & Chapple
Fairlawn Cemetery, 1607 N. Washington Ave.
www.elkcity.com/cemetery
Dedicated in 2007 this memorial stands for all of Elk City’s Veterans. The memorial site is used for Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day services, as well as funeral services for fallen Veterans.
We honor and remember.
Anadarko Basin Monument
Old Town Museum, 2717 W 3rd St. (on Historic Route 66)
Located on the grounds of the Old Town Museum is a granite moment describing the history of the Anadarko Basin of Western Oklahoma, one of the most prolific gas provinces of North America. Wells drilled here have been among the world’s deepest.
Great Western Trail Marker
Farm and Ranch Museum, 2717 W 3rd St. (on Historic Route 66)
A historic marker next to the Farm & Ranch museum highlights the Great Western Cattle Trail. More than 6 million cattle went up this trail from Texas to Kansas between 1874 and 1888.
Binding Contract
Bank of Western Oklahoma, E. 3rd St.
Located on Historic Route 66 in front of the Bank of Western Oklahoma and near Parker Drilling Rig #114 is a bronze bronze sculpture of Donald and Jimmy Harrel on horseback shaking hands across a fence. Western genre artist, Bradford J. Williams, was commissioned in 2009 to create the sculpture.
Elk City DDI
I-40 & SH-6
A look at how Elk City’s diverging diamond interchange works
Oklahoma’s first Diverging Diamond Interchange was opened here in Elk City at the interchange of Interstate 40 and State Highway 6 in 2020. It was built as a partnership between the City of Elk City and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Not only is it a unique way to move traffic, it’s also a work of art. It features many decorative elements highlighting Elk City’s heritage, such as the stone, brick, and metal work, light up replica oil rigs, and couple bull elk statues greeting visitors as they exit I-40.
Historic Downtown Shopping District
Historic Downtown Elk City, centered around Broadway Ave. and Main St., is a shopper’s dream, as there is truly something for everyone. Here you’ll find the latest styles and fashions, hidden treasures in specialty boutiques, everyday household wares, a tasty scoop of ice cream, a hot cup of coffee, or a great lunch.
Elk City Chamber of Commerce
and Visitors Bureau
102 S. Main St
elkcitychamber
elkcitychamber.com
Located in the historic Thurmond building in the heart of downtown Elk City. The Elk City Chamber of Commerce is Elk City’s only full time organization working for the sole purpose of advancing the economic, professional, cultural, and civic welfare of our community.
Stop in for all sorts of information about Elk City. They are open Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Closed on holidays.
Route 66 Mural
This colorful mural painted by local artist Matthew Stout of birds, wheat, flowers, and Historic Route 66 is located in “the Vault on 66” inside the Elk City Chamber of Commerce, downtown Elk City.
