Erick

Erick combines Route 66 history with architecture, exhibitions, and music. These connections give you a concrete sense of what makes the town distinctive when choosing a destination: from a historic road through Erick to buildings and stories associated with the town.

Route 66 History and Historic Buildings

The National Old Trails Road was a predecessor route to U.S. Highway 66. The section of Route 66 that runs through Erick was renamed Roger Miller Boulevard. Nearby, between Sayre and Erick, are abandoned northbound lanes that belong to the original Route 66. These connections represent different chapters in the road’s history: a predecessor route, the road through Erick, and the old lanes in the surrounding area.

The First National Bank Building is a distinctive landmark in the town’s history. This substantial, two-story brick building was one of the first buildings completed in town. The First National Bank in Erick is also known as the 100th Meridian Museum and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum preserves and displays the region’s heritage and artifacts. The building brings together banking history, early town development, and regional memory.

The West Winds Motel also reflects the travel history of Route 66. It was built in 1948 for vacationers and other motorists traveling the route. Its Mission style is reminiscent of a Spanish hacienda. Today, the West Winds Motel is used as a private residence. Its former purpose and architecture tell the story of a different era of road travel; its current private use is clearly distinct from that past.

Museums, Music, and Places of Remembrance

The Sandhills Curiosity Shop brings together local building and collecting history. The building is considered the oldest brick building in Erick. On display are oak furniture from around the turn of the century, artworks, historic musical instruments, and other curious items. Harley Russell performs live there for visitors, in an impromptu and interactive style; opening hours vary. The collection and the performance offer different forms of cultural experience, each in its own way.

Another musical connection is the Roger Miller Mural. It depicts the singer-songwriter in five poses, with a Route 66 road sign in the background. The mural is on the building that once housed the Roger Miller Museum. Roger Miller attended Erick High School during his youth and lived on a small farm outside Erick for part of his childhood. Erick was also the hometown of musician Sheb Wooley. These biographical connections place the musical landmarks within different personal stories.

Local Information and Surrounding Area

The Erick Tourism Information Center offers brochures and travel information about attractions, events, and accommodations in the state. Its amenities also include assistance from trained travel counselors, restrooms, a sales area, and a gift shop. Outside the entrance is a divided dog park with a shaded area and drinking fountain. The center brings together travel information and practical amenities in one place to help visitors find their way around.

The Sandy Sanders Wildlife Management Area, a 25,000-acre prairie preserve, is near Erick. Visitors who go there without hunting or fishing need a Wildlife Conservation Passport or a currently valid hunting or fishing license issued by the Wildlife Department. Its size and prairie designation give the preserve a different character from the town’s historic buildings and musical connections; the visitor requirement is a specific condition for those who are not hunting or fishing.

Discover more destinations: Elk City

For the broader travel overview: Beckham County.