Clinton – Hub City of Western Oklahoma
Strategically positioned where Interstate 40 intersects with Highway 183, and with the iconic Route 66 slicing directly through its downtown core, Clinton, Oklahoma, has rightfully earned the title of the Hub City of Western Oklahoma. This advantageous location has historically served as a vital artery for commerce and travel, shaping the city’s identity and contributing to its rich tapestry of stories.
The genesis of Clinton can be traced back to 1899, when two visionary men, J.L. Avant and E.E. Blake, surveyed the landscape from atop a humble boxcar. Their eyes fell upon the fertile expanse of the Washita River Valley, and a decision was made. One of them declared, "There’s the place to build a town." While the sentiment was straightforward, the reality of establishing a settlement in this territory proved to be more complex.
The land was, at the time, under the ownership of Native American tribes. The Federal Government imposed strict regulations, stipulating that individual Native Americans could only sell a maximum of half of their 160-acre allotment, and even then, only with Congressional approval. Undeterred, Avant and Blake devised a plan to circumvent these limitations. Their strategy involved purchasing a total of 320 acres from four different Native American individuals, with the intent of forming a small settlement known as Washita Junction. However, the path to official recognition was fraught with obstacles. A political rivalry arose between Washita Junction and the established frontier town of Arapaho, delaying the approval process.
After several years of navigating bureaucratic hurdles and political maneuvering, approval was finally granted in 1902. The nascent Washita Junction rapidly transformed into a burgeoning town. The first businesses to establish themselves included the townsite office, the Custer County Chronicle newspaper, and the First National Bank Building. With the arrival of a post office, a new name was required, as the postal department rejected the designation of Washita Junction. The name Clinton was chosen to honor the memory of the late Judge Clinton Irwin. The subsequent arrival of the Frisco Railroad further solidified Clinton’s position as a significant shipping center for the surrounding region. This made Clinton a hub of activity, earning it the title Hub City of Western Oklahoma.
Clinton continued its trajectory of growth and development. The arrival of Route 66, snaking directly through the heart of the town, ushered in a new era of prosperity. Numerous new businesses emerged, including Pop Hicks Restaurant, which opened its doors in 1936. Sadly, this landmark establishment, which became an enduring icon as the longest-running restaurant along Route 66, was destroyed by fire in 1999.
In 1942, the federal government constructed a naval airfield at Burns Flat, a development that further boosted the region’s economic fortunes. During this decade, Clinton’s population swelled to nearly 7,000 residents. In 1949, the airfield was deeded to the City of Clinton, with the stipulation that the land could be reclaimed in the event of a national emergency.
Just five years later, the government leased the site back and transformed it into the Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base. Expanding the site through the acquisition of additional land, the base soon encompassed more than 3,500 acres. The U.S. Air Force and the Navy utilized the airfield for training purposes. As military operations were downsized, the Clinton-Sherman base was slated for closure in 1969. The entire complex was deeded back to the City of Clinton in 1971, and three years later, it was repurposed as the Clinton-Sherman Industrial Air Park. The strategic location of Clinton, the Hub City of Western Oklahoma, proved advantageous for the development of the air park.
Clinton once served as the headquarters for the National Highway 66 Association, an organization that played a vital role in promoting and preserving the legacy of the Mother Road. The association operated for nearly three decades, beginning after World War II. Though the association was disbanded in the 1980s, it instilled in Clinton a deep-seated appreciation for Route 66. This enduring interest led to the establishment of the first state-sponsored Route 66 Museum in the nation, which opened in Clinton in 1995.
The Route 66 Museum stands as the city’s premier attraction, drawing tens of thousands of visitors from across the globe to Clinton. The museum showcases a wealth of nostalgic photographs, vintage automobiles, and an extensive collection of Route 66-era artifacts. The exhibits provide a narrated journey through the history of the Mother Road, decade by decade. Clinton’s embrace of Route 66 solidified its identity as the Hub City of Western Oklahoma for travelers and history enthusiasts.
A recent addition to the museum’s collection is a meticulously restored Valentine Diner, a must-see attraction for those traversing Route 66. Between 1938 and 1972, the Valentine Manufacturing Company of Wichita, Kansas, produced thousands of these diners, which could be ordered through a catalog for a mere $5,000.
These diners were designed as compact, eight-to-ten-seat establishments, allowing them to be operated by just one or two individuals. The diners were constructed to fit on railroad flat cars and came fully equipped with a grill, counter, and stools.
The restored Valentine Diner at the Route 66 Museum originally stood in Shamrock, Texas. It opened in 1956 as the Porter House Café and operated until 1964. The owners subsequently moved the diner to their backyard, where it remained for the next thirty-eight years, succumbing to the elements. Despite its deterioration, the diner still retained its original fixtures from its service years. In 2002, the diner was restored and transported to Clinton in 2003. While it no longer serves up a menu of hot dogs, burgers, and fries, visitors can still indulge in root beer and moon pies during special museum events.
Across the street from the museum, visitors can find the Tradewinds Best Western Inn, a hotel that once hosted the legendary Elvis Presley. Further down the road is Jiggs Smoke House, a small cabin café that has been serving barbecue for many years.
As you begin your westward journey on old Route 66, keep a watchful eye out for any clues related to the lost Mexican gold mining town of Cascorillo. According to legend, this 1830s mining town was situated somewhere between Clinton and Canute. In 1895, tales of the legendary mines sparked a gold rush; however, little gold was discovered, and no trace of the town was ever found. Whether legend or fact, the search for Cascorillo adds an element of intrigue to the Route 66 experience. The history and legends surrounding Hub City of Western Oklahoma make it a unique destination.
The title of Hub City of Western Oklahoma is well-deserved, reflecting Clinton’s central role in the region’s transportation and history.