By Kylene Orebaugh

Northeast of Tulsa on Route 66 lies Claremore, Okla. The city was named after Osage Chief Glahmo who established a trading post along the Verdigris River in 1802. The post was located on a 25 acre "mound" which came to be known as Clermont--a French word meaning clear mountain. The town was supposed to be named after the chief (who later became known as Chief Clermont), but a clerical error left Claremore on the books. The name stuck.

Later when the Cherokee tribe was forced from their eastern homes, the lands in northeast Oklahoma were titled to the tribe--including Clermont Mound. Beginning with a general store, blacksmith, and a school, the town added a post office in 1874. By 1900 Claremore was larger than Tulsa. That, however is not the case today. Tulsa's population in 2000 was nearly 400,000 people, while Claremore hovered close to 20,000. Don't despair, Claremore offers plenty of amenities and enough things to keep people busy. History is important to this old town, and be sure to check out some of the following stops. For more information about Claremore and the surrounding area visit www.claremore.org or www.greencountryok.com.

Will Rogers Museum

Overlooking the city of Claremore, the nearly 17,000 square foot Will Rogers Museum sits atop a hill and houses artifacts from the life of Oklahoma's favorite son, Will Rogers. The museum features nine galleries, three theaters, interactive televisions, a children's museum, the Rogers family tomb, research library and archives.

Exhibits include: Will Rogers' artifacts, memorabilia, saddle collection, photographs and manuscripts depicting a career as a trick roper, Vaudeville and Ziegfeld Follies performer, movie star, radio commentator, syndicated newspaper columnist, author and philosopher.

The museum is located at 1720 West Will Rogers Boulevard in Claremore. For more information visit www.willrogers.com, or call 800-324-9455. Open every day of the year from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: donations.

Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch

Originally the Rogers spread (Dog Iron Ranch) contained 60,000 acres and up to 10,000 head of cattle. Today the living-history ranch is 400 acres with 50 Texas Longhorns, and has several of the original ranch buildings.

The ranch house was built in 1875, and features log walls hand-hewed from indigenous oak, hickory and walnut. Will Rogers was born in the house Nov. 4, 1879. The home remains as historically correct as possible.

The barn, on the other hand, is not. The original and two replacement barns were burned in wildfires. The current barn was erected by Amish farmer-carpenters in 1993. The barn was made of rough-sawed indigenous oak with notch and peg methods. In the barn, traditional stalls were built along with a classroom that is used to teach visitors about the history of the ranch.

The ranch is located at 9501 East 380 Road, Oologah, Okla., and for more information call 918-275-4201. Open 365 days a year from dawn to dusk, and admission is a voluntary contribution.

Belvidere Mansion

Tucked away a block off Will Rogers Boulevard, the Belvidere Mansion is a beautifully preserved early 1900s home. The Victorian mansion was built in 1907 prior to Oklahoma statehood, and features a tile roof, four towers, portico, large porches and balconies. According to the mansion's website, www.rchs1.org/belvidere.htm, much of the trim and woodwork used in the home originally came from the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis.

John M. Bayless started building the mansion in 1902, but died before its completion in 1907. Bayless was a successful banker, involved in railroads, hotels, land development and other projects. Bayless' wife and children completed the home and lived there until 1919.

Today the home offers a Victorian gift shop as well as hosting tea. Owned by the Rogers County Historical Society, a group of citizens are working to restore the mansion in time for the Oklahoma centennial celebration in 2007.

The mansion is furnished in period furnishings and is open for tours 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday from April to December; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday during January, February, and March. Admission is by donation, but tours are $2 for adults.                

Totem Pole Park Outside Claremore on state highway 68A, is Foyil, Oklahoma's claim to fame--Ed Galloway's Totem Pole Park.

A 90-foot tall concrete totem pole features 200 images and four Native American tribes are represented. Galloway spent from 1937 to 1948 constructing the pole--which contains 28 tons of cement, six tons of steel and more than 100 tons of sand and rock.

The Park also features other concrete sculptures as well as a "fiddle house" featuring Galloway's extensive fiddle collection.

Admission is free, and grounds are open during daylight hours. Museum is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., except in inclement weather.

For more information call 918-342-9149 or visit www.roadsideoklahoma.com.

Antique Row

Several blocks in downtown Claremore are home to more than 400 antique and collectable shops. Lose yourself in the antique shops packed with items from years ago. Dealers feature items such as gifts, home decor, jewelry, clothing, saddles and tack, cosmetics, ceramics and much more.

For more information contact the Claremore Main Street Inc., at 918-341-5881 or e-mail mainstreet@claremore.org.

Lynn Riggs Memorial

Just down the street from the antique shops, is the Lynn Riggs Memorial. The memorial features items from the famous playwright's life and work. Riggs wrote the play "Green Grow the Lilacs," which eventually became the basis of the musical "Oklahoma."

Personal audio recordings, pictures, clothing and the original surrey from "Oklahoma" are featured in the museum.

Admission is free and memorial is open from 9 a.m. to noon, and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Closed on weekends and holidays. Groups by appointment only.

For more information call 918-622-7595 or visit http://members.cox.net/lynn.riggs/.

Will Rogers Downs

Located just east of Claremore along state highway 20, is the Will Rogers Downs race track. The one-mile race track features American Quarter Horse, Paint, Appaloosa and Thoroughbred racing from February to May. Simulcast rooms with hundreds of screens allow bettors to watch races and wager on races from tracks around the country.

Visitors can get up next to the track and watch the horses at the finish line, and watch win photos being taken with horse, jockey, trainers and owners. A paddock allows attendees to scope the horses out before betting.

Will Rogers Downs also has a casino for those people not interested in the races. The casino features Las Vegas style electronic games and video poker. Several restaurants fit the bill and will satisfy any hunger.

For more information visit www.cherokeecasino.com/will_rogers_downs/overview.aspx.