Blue Whale Oklahoma: A Roadside Attraction
Traveling through the Great Plains can be a long and arduous journey, but one attraction that has become a staple for roadside enthusiasts is the Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma. Located approximately 15 miles northeast of Tulsa, the Blue Whale is a giant blue sperm whale that has become an iconic roadside attraction since its construction in 1974. The Blue Whale was created by Zelta and Hugh Davis as a surprise anniversary gift for their 20th wedding anniversary, and quickly gained popularity as a swimming attraction for locals.
However, its significance extends beyond its immediate function as a swimming hole: it is also a symbolic reflection of a bygone era of American travel and culture. During the mid-20th century, Route 66, which spans across the Midwest and the Great Plains, became the embodiment of American road trips, connecting two coasts and attracting tourists from all over the world. The Blue Whale of Oklahoma, sitting just off of this route, represents the kind of kitschy nostalgia associated with early roadside attractions and the country's rapid expansion via road system.
It would be remiss to not note the architectural details that make this giant blue whale stand out. At nearly 20 feet off the ground, the blue whale stands out in the Oklahoma plains and immediately draws the eye. Structurally, the massive whale is reinforced with two men's dressing rooms in its lower body and an event space available for private parties inside. Its swimming hole was open from June until August from 1979 to 1988, serving as a refreshing oasis for summer travelers on a hot day.
It is worth noting that this type of roadside attraction, along with the Blue Whale, can be seen as reflections of the unique culture developed by extensive land expanses of travel during the mid-century 20th century. A significant reason these roadside stop-offs are so iconic today may also be due to their place within the development of road and car travel systems over the late 19th and 20th centuries.
The decline of Route 66 in the latter part of the 20th century also relates to the ultimate closing of the Blue Whale in 1983 due to lack of maintenance and excessive trash in its vicinity, becoming "Zena the Blue Whale"-nearly 3 years after the State closed that water area by virtue of that said closing. Due to residents loving sentiments: with very active support with volunteers it was opened for a summer 1974 re-dedication gala and open from there about June-August to re-allow us to spend more times, after volunteers did a rejuvenating paint "paint job project" via 2012
Nonprofit organizations as well intervened as part organizations also gave funding to renovation of same pieces used in event known as its swimming pool but at one an time 4 men were up for deciding exactly was to help give cleaning and final masonic touch because this special event Blue Whale renovation drew local many civic support without end even went, then also volunteer.
Also worth noting is the decline of American roadside activities during post-American expansion road system that can ultimately explain and reflect a social decay of shared history. Traveler culture can actually lend insight to aspects shared within Americans.
Though the Blue whale today may no longer serve the swimming hole function that made it famous, the ever-standing figure still be instill its enduring reflection of American commercial legacy when driving and encountering other U.S. roadside attractions.
It serves to signify better days that once had the charm. As the waterhole of a legacy slowly erodes under increasing lack of popularity it endures, the once strong U.S. road activities continue traveling freely side areas on great American roadside travels: the iconic blue whale itself transcending both era-specific times in America's rapidly transforming free roadside lifestyle.
However, its significance extends beyond its immediate function as a swimming hole: it is also a symbolic reflection of a bygone era of American travel and culture. During the mid-20th century, Route 66, which spans across the Midwest and the Great Plains, became the embodiment of American road trips, connecting two coasts and attracting tourists from all over the world. The Blue Whale of Oklahoma, sitting just off of this route, represents the kind of kitschy nostalgia associated with early roadside attractions and the country's rapid expansion via road system.
It would be remiss to not note the architectural details that make this giant blue whale stand out. At nearly 20 feet off the ground, the blue whale stands out in the Oklahoma plains and immediately draws the eye. Structurally, the massive whale is reinforced with two men's dressing rooms in its lower body and an event space available for private parties inside. Its swimming hole was open from June until August from 1979 to 1988, serving as a refreshing oasis for summer travelers on a hot day.
It is worth noting that this type of roadside attraction, along with the Blue Whale, can be seen as reflections of the unique culture developed by extensive land expanses of travel during the mid-century 20th century. A significant reason these roadside stop-offs are so iconic today may also be due to their place within the development of road and car travel systems over the late 19th and 20th centuries.
The decline of Route 66 in the latter part of the 20th century also relates to the ultimate closing of the Blue Whale in 1983 due to lack of maintenance and excessive trash in its vicinity, becoming "Zena the Blue Whale"-nearly 3 years after the State closed that water area by virtue of that said closing. Due to residents loving sentiments: with very active support with volunteers it was opened for a summer 1974 re-dedication gala and open from there about June-August to re-allow us to spend more times, after volunteers did a rejuvenating paint "paint job project" via 2012
Nonprofit organizations as well intervened as part organizations also gave funding to renovation of same pieces used in event known as its swimming pool but at one an time 4 men were up for deciding exactly was to help give cleaning and final masonic touch because this special event Blue Whale renovation drew local many civic support without end even went, then also volunteer.
Also worth noting is the decline of American roadside activities during post-American expansion road system that can ultimately explain and reflect a social decay of shared history. Traveler culture can actually lend insight to aspects shared within Americans.
Though the Blue whale today may no longer serve the swimming hole function that made it famous, the ever-standing figure still be instill its enduring reflection of American commercial legacy when driving and encountering other U.S. roadside attractions.
It serves to signify better days that once had the charm. As the waterhole of a legacy slowly erodes under increasing lack of popularity it endures, the once strong U.S. road activities continue traveling freely side areas on great American roadside travels: the iconic blue whale itself transcending both era-specific times in America's rapidly transforming free roadside lifestyle.
