Claremore is located on historic Route 66 and is known for its numerous area tourist attractions, festivals and annual events. The CVB was  established to promote, market, sell, and service Claremore as a meeting,  event, and leisure destination, and is funded by the hotel/motel tax. Claremore is a happening place….Xtreme World Motocross, Green Country Fishing & Tackle, Show, AKC Dog Show, Stampede Rodeo, Bluegrass & Chili Festival, Will Rogers Days, Dickens on the Boulevard and many more….there are to many outstanding events to do a complete list…please give the CVB a call or check the website for the latest updates!!!   Don’t miss the outstanding official Oklahoma Centennial events planned for 2007 in Claremore!!!

Will Rogers Memorial and Birthplace Ranch
(800) 324-9455 / (918) 341-0719 / www.willrogers.com
Steve Gragert, Director

Claremore is the home of humorist philosopher, actor, and Oklahoma’s favorite son, Will Rogers. Gallery/museum houses Rogers’ memorabilia including saddles, photographs, clothing, scripts, posters, and many other items relating to his life. The memorial has three theatres, interactive television, special children’s museum, research library, archives, and original art by Charles Russell, Charles Banks Wilson, and others. The museum frames the Rogers family tomb in the sunken garden. Open every day from 8 am to 5 pm, admission is by voluntary contribution.

 The Will Rogers Dog Iron Ranch was built in 1875. The birthplace is authentically conserved and open every day from dawn to dusk. The ranch is a living history of Will’s rich Native American and cowboy heritage where longhorn cattle and farm animals still roam. Picnic facilities, grass airstrip, and RV hook-ups are available. Admission is by voluntary donation. Two miles northeast of Oologah near highways 88 and 169.

J.M. Davis Historical Arms Museum
(918) 341-5707 / www.thegunmuseum.com
Gary Rohr, Director

A muzzle-loading shotgun given to John Monroe Davis by his father was the beginning of the world’s largest privately owned gun collection. Mr. Davis transferred ownership of his collection to the J.M. Davis Foundation Trust, where in-turn the foundation entered into an agreement with the State of Oklahoma for preservation of the collection. In addition to the over 20,000 firearms and related items, the museum houses Western, Native American, and Civil War artifacts, swords, knives, steins, hundreds of animal trophies, music boxes, instruments, political buttons, World War I posters, John Rogers’ Statuary, and more. Located on Route 66, the museum is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 am to 5 pm, and Sunday from 10am to 5 pm. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Admission is free.

Lynn Riggs Memorial Museum

Riggs is best known for his play Green Grow The Lilacs, the basis for the famous musical Oklahoma. Visitors can view the original “surrey with the fringe on top,” and other mementos and memorabilia. Open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm; Free admission.

Oklahoma Military Academy Museum (OMA)
918-343-7768

OMA, once known as the West Point of the Southwest, was a leading military academy from 1919 to 1971. The museum is a tribute to the cadets who attended the academy. Located in Meyer Hall on the Rogers State University, it is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Closed on major holidays. Free admission.

Claremore Main Street Inc.
(918) 341-5881 Office / (918) 342-0663 Fax
mainstreet@claremore.org

Cindy Bissett, Claremore Main Street Inc. Director In 2002 Claremore was named an official Main Street Community. The Main Street program is a volunteer driven, nonprofit organization designed to improve all aspects of the downtown business district, producing both tangible and intangible benefits. Improving economic management, strengthening public participation, and making downtown a fun place to visit are as critical to Main Street’s future as recruiting new businesses and rehabilitating buildings. Already downtown Claremore is seeing vast improvements in aesthetics and advances in marketing and economic revitalization. Nine of the downtown’s historic buildings have received façade improvements and several more are in the works. A major streetscape project by the City of Claremore will be finished in early spring of 2007. Along with infrastructure improvements, the downtown will also receive new sidewalks and historic lighting. Claremore Main Street is home to over 400 antique and collectible dealers, as well as a variety of one-of-a-kind specialty stores. Claremore Main Street Inc. currently hosts promotional events during the year. Events include the Crazy for Crafts Fest the first weekend of November and Dickens on The Boulevard Christmas Celebration, a unique Victorian festivity on the third weekend in November. While visiting downtown Claremore don’t miss the Will Rogers Hotel and the Belvidere Mansion.

Will Rogers Hotel

The Will Rogers Hotel was dedicated in 1930.

The six-story hotel contained 78 rooms and seven apartments, décor was in the Spanish style reminiscent of Will Rogers home in Santa Monica. The hotel was famous for the mineral water baths and the quality of service. The hotel closed in 1991 but was reopened in 1997 following a major renovation. Three of the famous mineral water tubs are preserved, and the lobby and ballroom are fully restored and open to the public. Senior citizens apartments and offices are housed in the remainder of the hotel

Belvidere Mansion

The Belvidere Mansion construction began in 1902 before statehood. The Victorian mansion was to be the home of John and Mary Bayless. John was successful in banking, railroads, hotels and land development. He was president of the Bank of Claremore at the time of his death. Unfortunately Mr. Bayless died before his mansion was completed in 1907. The mansion is furnished in period furnishings and has a full third floor ballroom. On a haunting note…there has been many a visitor and Belvidere volunteer who has reported sightings of the Bayless family roaming the mansion. The Rogers County Historical Society purchased the mansion in 1991 and spearheaded the restoration efforts. Each year the mansion hosts Christmas at the Belvidere. The home is open for tours. (918) 342-2693 / (918) 341-1127

Claremore’s Expo Center
(918) 342-5357 / www.claremoreexpo.com

The City of Claremore dedicated the facility in December of 1999. Since its opening, the 55-acre complex has become home to a wide variety of annual and special events including concerts, trade shows, equestrian events, rodeo, festivals and a many other of events for the entire family. The facility offers an expo hall, meeting room, indoor dirt arena, outdoor covered arena, stall barn, and a 44-space recreational vehicle park.

Will Rogers Stampede Outdoor Arena

For over 50 years the arena has hosted the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo and numerous other special events.

B & B Theatre - The Claremore Cinema 8

Theatre features 8 screens with state of the art digital sound, stadium seating, daily matinees, family arcade, birthday parties, theatre rental, on-screen advertising opportunities, hearing impaired and handicap accessible, gift certificates and more. 24 Movie Hotline: 342-2422 for other info: 342-4739

Rogers County Attractions

Just when you think you have seen everything . . . surprise . . . Rogers County, within minutes of Claremore, has a number of historical and interesting things to see and do:

•Will Rogers Raceway

•Oak Hills Winery

• Area Golf Courses: Heritage Hills, Gordon Golf Course, Cherokee Hills Golf, Stonebridge Golf Club

•Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs …live and simulcast racing, electronic gaming, live entertainment, dining, dancing and Oklahoma’s largest RV Park facility

•Cherokee Casino & Resort at Catoosa….24 hour casino with electronic gaming, live music, table games, food and beverage.

•Talala Historical Museum

•Andy Payne Statue

•Houge House in Chelsea

•Historic downtown Oologah

•Tulsa’s Port of Catoosa

•The Blue Whale in Catoosa

•World’s Largest Totem Pole in Foyil

•Arkansas River Historical Society Museum

•Annual Cowboy Trade Day

This Page Last Updated:  10/11/2007

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