Will Rogers Archway: The Will Rogers Archway spans across Interstate 44 in northeast Oklahoma. The design and construction of the arch was a new concept when opened in 1958. The facility features a gas station and convenience store on each end and the arch across the highway provides a nice place for travelers to relax and enjoy the views. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Rogers Statute: A tribute to Will Rogers the famous performer, radio personality, actor, writer, and humorist, is seen in the archway space above I-44 near Vinita, Okla. Will Rogers is also known as “Oklahoma’s Favorite Son”. A sculpture of the sports car, which hangs from the ceiling of the space, is a tribute to the nearby Route 66. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
By GARY WARREN
Photographer
Formerly of Los Alamos
As we travel the highways of our beautiful country we are always on the lookout for interesting sites and attractions. Usually the points of interest are along the road or a short detour off of the route of travel.
On our recent trip along Historic Route 66 in Oklahoma we ventured from the two-lane backroad a short distance to Interstate 44. The reason for the detour was to visit a unique attraction that spans over the highway, the Will Rogers Archway.
The Will Rogers Archway stretches across all lanes of the Interstate anchored on each end with a gas station and parking area for truckers. There are parking areas for travelers, and one of the most popular stops on this stretch of Interstate 44.
The archway over I-44 is located a short distance from Vinita, Okla., between Tulsa, Okla. and Joplin, Mo. in northeastern Oklahoma. The structure was built in 1957 and officially opened in 1958. This was one of the first buildings constructed over a public highway in the country. It has been a popular stop for travelers since opening.
The floor space within the arch crossing the highway was the largest McDonalds restaurant in the world for a long time until other locations surpassed the size of the archway. Today the floor space is divided between a smaller McDonald’s, a Subway, a gift shop, and a lounging area for visitors to relax. There are tributes to the history of the archway as well as tributes to Will Rogers in the area.
Will Rogers was a famous performer, radio personality, actor, writer, and humorist who is also known as “Oklahoma’s Favorite Son”. I-44, the roadway below the archway is also known as the “Will Rogers Turnpike”.
The archway was closed for renovation from summer of 2013 through December, 2014. The gas station convenience store portion of the structure was completely demolished and rebuilt to accommodate needs of the modern convenience stores as well as other improvements to the archway. It was also at this time that the archway was named the Will Rogers Archway.
This was a short detour from our Route 66 travels but a stop that we enjoyed and a rest stop that was needed. It was time to drive back into Vinita and continue our travels on the two-lane historic highway.
Editor’s note: Longtime Los Alamos photographer Gary Warren and his wife Marilyn are traveling around the country, and he shares his photographs, which appear in the “Posts from the Road” series published in the Sunday edition of the Los Alamos Daily Post.
View of Interstate: Visitors can stand by the wall of glass on either side of the Will Rogers Archway and get a birds eye view of the vehicles as they zoom past on the highway below. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Convenient: A view of the convenience store can be seen from the upper level of the archway space that stretches across the lanes of the Interstate below. A convenience store and gas station, and ample parking for truckers and travelers are located on each end of the structure. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
McDonald’s: The McDonald’s restaurant and a Subway restaurant are located in the archway, along with a gift shop for travelers’ use. The space is also filled with tributes to the construction and history of the archway as well as tributes to Will Rogers. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Archway Angles: A wide-angle lens captures some of the unique angles and views of the Will Rogers Archway in Oklahoma. The archway is a nice place for travelers to stretch their legs and refuel as they journey across the state. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com