Hydro, Oklahoma – Home of Lucille’s – Legends of America
Nestled in the heart of Oklahoma, where Caddo and Blaine Counties meet, lies Hydro, a charming small town that whispers tales of a bygone era. Situated along the historic Route 66, Hydro serves as a captivating window into the past, beckoning travelers to explore its rich heritage and discover the stories woven into its very fabric.
The story of Hydro began in the early 20th century when the Wichita and Caddo Indian lands were opened to settlers in 1901. Eager homesteaders flocked to the area, hoping to stake their claim in this promising new territory. A lottery was held to distribute the land, with an astounding 164,000 individuals vying for 13,000 plots of 160 acres each.
On August 6, 1901, Hydro was officially established near the Choctaw, Oklahoma, and Gulf Railroad. Initially named Caddo, the town underwent a name change when the post office opened its doors in September 1901. The new name, Hydro, was chosen to reflect the abundance of high-quality well water that blessed the area.
As the town took root, so did its institutions. The Hydro Review, Caddo County’s first newspaper, emerged in the same year, providing a vital source of information and connection for the growing community. The establishment of the first church further solidified the town’s social fabric, offering a place of worship and spiritual guidance.
In September 1904, Hydro celebrated its first Hydro Free Fair, originally known as the Hydro Harvest Festival. This annual event, which is reportedly Oklahoma’s longest-running "free fair," became a beloved tradition, showcasing the town’s agricultural prowess and fostering a sense of community spirit.
Hydro’s economy thrived on agriculture, with corn, cotton, and livestock playing a significant role in the town’s prosperity. By 1910, the community had grown to a population of 562 residents, a testament to its appeal as a place to settle and build a life.
The advent of Route 66 proved to be a turning point for Hydro. As the Mother Road snaked its way along the southern edge of town, it brought increased traffic and business to the community. Travelers from far and wide passed through Hydro, seeking respite and supplies along their journeys.
In 1929, Carol Ditmore recognized the potential of Route 66 and established one of the first filling stations along the iconic highway. The two-story craftsman-style building not only served as a place to fuel up but also provided living quarters for Ditmore and his family.
Five years later, in 1934, Ditmore sold the station to W.O. Waldrup and his wife, who renamed it the Provine Service Station, the name it still bears today. The Waldrups expanded the station’s offerings by adding tourist cabins, which eventually evolved into a five-room motel, catering to the needs of weary travelers.
By 1930, Hydro’s population had surged to 948 residents, reflecting the town’s continued growth and prosperity. However, the dark clouds of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl soon cast a shadow over Hydro and the rest of Oklahoma. Crop failures devastated the agricultural economy, forcing many residents to lose their land and seek opportunities elsewhere.
Despite the hardships, Hydro persevered. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) played a crucial role in the town’s recovery, paving its streets and constructing the present schoolhouse and community center, providing essential infrastructure and services.
In 1941, Carl and Lucille Hamons purchased the Provine Service Station, adding their own chapter to its storied history. The Hamons resided in quarters behind and above the station’s business, immersing themselves in the day-to-day operations.
However, just months after the Hamons took over, World War II began, bringing with it fuel and tire rationing, which significantly reduced traffic on Route 66. To make ends meet, Carl began hauling hay to the northern states, while Lucille stepped up to manage the station.
Lucille learned how to pump gas, change headlights, and fix flat tires, becoming a jack-of-all-trades. In addition to her responsibilities at the station, she also cared for her three children and maintained the cabins, washing linens in an old wringer washing machine.
During this challenging time, Lucille’s station became a haven for travelers from Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, and eastern Oklahoma, who were migrating to the West Coast in search of work. Lucille’s generosity knew no bounds, as she often provided food and gas to those who were broke, accepting appliances or other valuables in exchange. She even purchased broken-down cars from travelers, allowing them to catch a bus and continue their journey westward.
As the war came to an end, business rebounded, and traffic on Route 66 experienced a surge during the 1950s and 1960s. However, this period of prosperity would not last forever. Carl Hamons passed away on January 31, 1971, leaving Lucille to run the business on her own.
In the same year, the completion of I-40 led to the bypassing of Route 66, causing a significant decline in traffic through Hydro. As a result, Lucille was forced to close the motel, marking the end of an era.
While many businesses along old Route 66 withered and died, Lucille refused to give up. She adapted to the changing times by catering primarily to a local clientele. The station gained a reputation for vending icy beer from its old cooler, especially during times when nearby Weatherford, Oklahoma, was officially a dry town.
In 1986, Lucille dispensed her last gallon of fuel, signaling a shift in the station’s focus. It eventually transformed into a souvenir shop, offering travelers a chance to purchase mementos of their Route 66 journey.
The 1990s witnessed a resurgence of interest in Route 66, and Lucille became a celebrated figure, earning the moniker "The Mother of the Mother Road." Her unwavering dedication to travelers and her preservation of a piece of Route 66 history made her a beloved icon.
In July 1997, Lucille’s station was added to the National Register of Historic Places, solidifying its significance as a landmark. In 1999, Lucille received the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame Award, recognizing her contributions to the preservation of the Mother Road’s legacy.
Lucille continued to operate the store until her death on August 18, 2000, 59 years after she and Carl had purchased the property. Her memory lives on in the hearts of the many travelers who had the pleasure of meeting her and experiencing her warmth and hospitality.
Today, Lucille’s Station stands as one of only two upper-story over-style stations remaining on Oklahoma’s stretch of Route 66. In 2007, Route 66 enthusiast Rick Koch shored up the gas station building, ensuring its preservation as a photo opportunity for visitors. Koch also built the popular Lucille’s Roadhouse restaurant in nearby Weatherford as a tribute to Lucille’s legacy. The rest of the building has also been completely restored, allowing visitors to step back in time and experience the ambiance of a classic Route 66 gas station.
Lucille’s Station is located half a mile south of Hydro at Route 66 and S. Coleman Avenue, inviting travelers to stop and pay homage to the Mother of the Mother Road.
While the Mother Road skirts the southern edge of Hydro, a detour into the town’s downtown district is well worth the effort. There, visitors can discover vintage gems such as the Route 66 Soda Fountain, which transports patrons back to a simpler time. Nutopia Nuts’ N More, formerly known as Johnson Peanut Company, has been a local institution for nearly 80 years, offering a wide variety of peanuts, peanut candies, and peanut oils.
Today, Hydro is home to approximately 950 residents. It is situated on State Highway 58, just north of Interstate 40/U.S. Highway 66, eight miles east of Weatherford, and 63 miles west of Oklahoma City, making it easily accessible to travelers.
As you return to Route 66/I-40 Frontage Road and continue your journey westward towards Weatherford, keep an eye out for a local legend. It is said that an elderly humpbacked man haunts this section of the old Mother Road. Dressed in a brown trench coat and wearing a Bogie-style hat pulled down over his eyes, he has been spotted walking along the highway, especially on foggy or rainy nights.
Some claim to have picked up this eerie figure on a wet night, only to find him silent and unresponsive. Others have reported that he attempted to jump out of the moving car. One driver even pulled over to let him out, only to spot him walking again several miles ahead. Another person recounted thinking they had hit the man with their vehicle, but upon stopping to check, no one was there.
Do you believe in the legend of the humpbacked man? Keep your eyes peeled as you travel along this historic stretch of Route 66, and perhaps you will catch a glimpse of this enigmatic figure.
©Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated May 2025.
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