LASR.net Homepage




Menu


Andy Payne and Route 66


category : Famous People
Andy Payne and Route 66 Nine miles north of Claremore on Route 66 is Foyil, the hometown of ANDY PAYNE, a Cherokee Indian who was born on a ranch between Claremore and Foyil. At "66" and 28A, turn south, and you will be on the main street of Foyil and a portion of the original Route "66". Go two blocks, and a monument to Andy Payne is displayed.

In 1928, 274 runners from all parts of the world gathered at the starting line in Los Angeles to participate in the International Transcontinental Foot Marathon. The race would follow Highway 66 and would pay $25,000 to the winner. The press dubbed this the "Bunion Derby". Three and a-half months and 3,422 miles later, Andy was declared the winner at the finish line at New York's Madison Square Garden. He used the money to pay off the mortgage on the family farm. In 1934, he became the Clerk of the Oklahoma Supreme Court and held that office until retirement.


Come visit us in Claremore, Oklahoma

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Claremore Lake

Claremore Lake features 500 surface acres for boating and great bass fishing (no swimming allowed). There are 2 boat ramps, courtesy dock and 3 fishing piers, 1 for senior citizens and disabled children, 2 for general public use. Enhancing the lake is a 60

Claremore, OK Recreation

Claremore's Expo-Center

The City of Claremore has redeveloped its old city/county fair grounds by removing all structures, and acquiring additional acreage, bringing the area to more than 55 acres. The major addition has been bulding the Expo Center.

Arena Area

Claremore, OK Expo Centers

Old Armory

The Oklahoma National Guard Armory was built by the WPA in 1936 during President Franklin D. Roosevelt's term and was constructed by local Claremore residents with the sandstone unearthed in Oklahoma. During the 1940'

Claremore, OK Historic Buildings

J. Bartley Milam Home

This private home was originally built by J. BARTLEY MILAM, Principal Chief of the Cherokees. The Cherokee government had been dismantled in 1907 when Oklahoma became a state. In 1941, Milam was appointed Chief for a year by Franklin D. Roosevelt and was reappointed until his death in 1949

Claremore, OK Historic Homes

Radium Town and the Keller Bath House

An area in the north section of Claremore was once known as RADIUM TOWN. George Eaton owned the first oil company in town. In 1903, he was drilling east of town for oil or gas. Instead, he found a "rotten-egg-smelling"

Claremore, OK Historic Buildings

Things to do Famous People near Claremore, OK

Billy Vessels

Billy was the first Oklahoman to receive the Heisman Trophy...

Ben Johnson, Jr. Cultural Park

The park was recently named to honor Academy Award Actor and Pawhuska native, Ben Johnson. Mr. Johnson has appeared in over 3...

Checotah's PRCA Champions

Checotah has a rich heritage in cattle ranching which was the root for the sport of rodeo. Rodeo has made the town the Ste...

Pulitzer Prize Winner

Checotah's library is named in honor of the Pulitzer Prize winner, Jim Griffing Lucas. * A third generation Checotahan bor...