The adjacent picnic area has also been restored. The Blue Whale was restored and repainted to its original brilliant blue. However, after a decade the people of Catoosa and employees of the Hampton Inn launched a fund-raising and volunteer effort to restore the Route 66 landmark. The park soon fell into disrepair, crumbling from neglect and weather. Davis died followed by his wife Zelta in 2001. Chief Wolf-Robe Hunt once ran the Arrowood Trading post across the highway from the Blue Whale attraction.īy 1988, the Davises were not able to continue managing the attraction, so they closed it to the public.
#Blue whale of catoosa full
The attraction also featured Hugh’s brother-in-law, Indian Chief Wolf Robe Hunt, a full blooded Acoma Indian, who was famous, in his own right, for his Indian paintings and as a highly skilled silversmith. Davis continued to add to the roadside attraction until it eventually included The Fun and Swim Blue Whale and the A.R.K. However, as many locals began to come to enjoy its waters, Davis brought in tons of sand, built picnic tables, hired life guards, and opened it to the public. Originally, the pond surrounding the massive Blue Whale was spring fed and intended only for family use. The Blue Whale and its pond became a favored swimming hole for both locals and travelers along Route 66 alike. Hugh Davis built the Blue Whale in the early 1970s as a surprise anniversary gift to his wife Zelta, who collected whale figurines. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.The Blue Whale of Catoosa is a waterfront structure, located just east of the town of Catoosa, Oklahoma, and it has become one of the most recognizable attractions on old Route 66. Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Although no longer in use as a swimming pool.
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For more information on how you can help just email Jeremy Ruiz.ĭownload our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices. In April 2020 the City of Catoosa purchased the Blue Whale and its surrounding 23.5 acres from the Davis family. They are looking for more donations to finish repairs. OK Chive also wants to make repairs to the deck and said this will be a regular volunteering opportunity through the spring. It's probably going to outlast me, unless we have some more big earthquakes," Davis said. I think it's going to outlast several generations. "This thing kind of has a mystique to it. Now he's relieved to see his father's work restored. This group is definitely doing that," he said. The Blue Whale of Catoosa is a waterfront structure, located just east of the town of Catoosa, Oklahoma, and it has become one of the most recognizable attractions on old Route 66 coming FROM the EAST the whale is 1.3 miles PAST the Verdigris River. The property changed hands a few times over the years, but it has always stayed in the Davis family until now. The Whale was built by Hugh Davis in the early 1970s as an anniversary present to his wife, Zelta. "It's so nice to have somebody do what they say they will do. In April, the City of Catoosa finalized the purchase the Blue Whale and the surrounding 23.5 acres. "He said "well there's nothing bigger than a whale, so if I build them a whale then I don't know what they would want that's any bigger so here we go." And there it was," Blaine Davis said.ĭavis still lives on site and said many groups have offered to tackle renovations, but none followed through until this week. It took two years, and they wanted to create a lasting memory for their grandchildren. The Davis family built it in 1970 by hand. People come from all over the world to check him out so we're just trying to make it better," Jeremy Ruiz said. "He needed a bath so we came to give him a bath and we're cleaning up some of this area so it's more eye-appealing when you drive by and you come visit. The director took to Facebook and more than 100 volunteers came out: raking, power washing and mowing to make the structure good as new. The story goes back to the 1970s, and you might be interested to know that it. The idea started with the non-profit OK Chive. The Blue Whale of Catoosa is a waterfront structure, and a major landmark too. Volunteers came from as far as Iceland looking to take care of the unique landmark for the next generation.
Dozens gathered at the Blue Whale on Sunday, looking to revitalize the Route 66 landmark as it approaches its 50th birthday.
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