Custer: Cultural History, Museums and Nature

Route 66 history, space exploration and nature give a trip to Custer a range of distinct themes. The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum is in Clinton; the Washita National Wildlife Refuge is in Custer County. Exhibits on agriculture and technology, a cabin associated with the Land Run, and trails and recreational activities add to the mix. When planning, you can consider cultural history and outdoor activities side by side.

Route 66 and Local History

Clinton is on historic Route 66. At the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, the exhibits begin with the “world’s largest curiosity cabinet,” showcasing unusual treasures collected along the route. Vehicles, music, artifacts, graphics and videos convey the history and culture of each decade. This takes you from the collected objects to the changing cultural themes of the decades.

The Heartland of America Museum dedicates its exhibits to the history of wheat and cattle farms, Route 66 landmarks and local businesses. It also features historic automobiles and tractors, as well as the history of radio, television and technology; music and art are part of the subject matter, too. Alongside agriculture and local commerce, you’ll find a focus on technology and culture.

The Western Oklahoma Historical Center maintains the Blair Log Cabin. The cabin stood on the land claim William Blair filed during the Land Run. This historic connection is tied to a specific claim and a named individual.

McLain Rogers Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and includes an outdoor amphitheater with 400 seats. It is one of only two surviving amphitheaters of its kind in Oklahoma. Historical significance and a distinctive architectural feature come together in this park.

Space Exploration, Wind Energy and a Train Ride

The Stafford Air & Space Museum is named for Lieutenant General Thomas P. Stafford, who was born in Weatherford. It also displays an original Titan II missile launch vehicle. The name and the exhibit offer two specific ways to explore spaceflight: Stafford’s connection to the area and an actual launch vehicle.

The Weatherford Wind Energy Center is across from City Hall and displays an original wind turbine blade measuring 122 feet long. The center also offers a brief description of the wind energy industry. While the Titan II launch vehicle represents space technology, this center focuses on wind energy.

A replica of the C. P. Huntington takes visitors on a ride along a route about 1.6 kilometers long. The ride crosses a bridge over the lake and passes through a dark tunnel. The lake crossing and the tunnel are two distinct sections of the same ride.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

The Washita National Wildlife Refuge is an 8,200-acre refuge on the northern section of Foss Reservoir and a destination for outdoor activities in Custer County. The refuge has an accessible, approximately 0.54-kilometer loop nature trail. Alongside the refuge’s expansive grounds, this offers a short, clearly defined trail as a separate option.

Foss State Park offers hiking, biking, disc golf, horseback riding, fishing and camping. It also has a horse camp with a multi-use trail for horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking. The trail’s three uses distinguish it from the park’s other listed recreational activities.

At Acme Brick Park, an approximately 1.6-kilometer nature trail loops around two stocked fishing ponds. The park was developed on the former site of the Acme Brick Plant after the City of Clinton purchased the property, including the former factory buildings. The nature trail and ponds are therefore on a site whose former industrial use is also part of the area’s history.

Discover more destinations: Clinton, Weatherford, Carter County, Wagoner County, Oklahoma, Comanche County, Love, Kiowa County.

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