| Erick - Southwest (Great Plains Country) | |||||||||
Known as the "Gateway to Oklahoma," this century-old community is located on I-40 just seven miles east of the Oklahoma/Texas border. Exit 7 will give you easy access to the convenient travel stop, motels and dining, while a short journey further south at that exit will take you to historic Route 66 and the very heart of the city. Hometown of the singer/songwriter legend, Roger Miller, Erick is proud to have the Roger Miller Museum in its downtown area. The museum houses the artist's artifacts and memorabilia as well as a gift shop featuring his music and other western Oklahoma items. Across the street is the 100th Meridian Museum open by appointment for any history buff to view exhibits depicting life along the 100th meridian from prehistoric time to early-day Erick. Nearby, the SandHills Curiousity Shop features live, vintage country-western music, turn-of-the-century furnishings, and a heaping helping of "redneck" hospitality. This unusual shop, featured in magazines and television, is located in a historic meat-market and offers free coffee, cold drinks and photo-ops. Another historic stop of interest is the North Elm Gallery, which is a restored one-room school displaying artistic, prairie photos by local photographer, Sam Hagen. To create prairie photos of your own, or for excellent birdwatching and hiking opportunities, visit Sandy Sanders Wildlife Area, the 19,100-acre preserve south of Erick in a terrain the locals call the "breaks." Hungry appetites will find authentic cowboy cuisine and rustic decor at the Rafter T Restaurant at Exit 7. Simple Simon's Pizza has that all-American favorite. Three motels offer excellent lodging, including a Days Inn and Comfort Inn with modern rooms and many amenities. One campground area is available near Texola, our sister city, at Double D Travel Stop (Exit 1) with an opportunity for good BBQ at the Windmill Restaurant and Trading Post. Also near Erick (heading east) is the Oklahoma Welcome Center for travel advice, maps, weather updates and free coffee. For more information, contact the Erick Chamber of Commerce at (580) 526-3505 or the Roger Miller Museum at (580) 526-3833. |



