Click the picture for a larger view

This was the birthplace of Will Rogers as it appeared in about 1930-1935, before the site was covered by waters of Oologah Lake. It has been moved and restored including barn and a few other outbuildings. It is now a working ranch and is open to the public. Admission price is by donation. It is located about 3 miles north-east of the main street of Oologah, Oklahoma. If there is anyone in the world that doesn't know where Oologah is located, and I seriously doubt that, it is about 30 miles northeast of Tulsa, Oklahoma on highway 169.

Go North out of Tulsa on 169 about 30 miles until you come to the junction with HW 88. Turn right or east on 88 and go about a mile to the first county road that goes left or north.  Go north about 3 miles until you see the sign saying something about Will Rogers birthplace and Ranch. Follow the signs.  It's about 1 more mile after you see the sign.

Claremore, Oklahoma is known as the "hometown" of Will Rogers but Oologah [area] is where he was born. Claremore is located about 10 miles south of the birthplace. Will did mention Oologah on several occasions but he usually tried to avoid mentioning it if he was outside the local area. He learned that if an untrained person tried to pronounce Oologah for any length of time, they would soon develop a speech impediment, the only cure being to gargle some of the radium water that was used for bathing in Claremore and would cure everything. Well, maybe not everything. Will said it would cure you of everything except being a Democrat.

The Will Rogers Memorial is located in Claremore, about 10 miles south of the birth place on HW. 88. If you are a fan of Will Rogers, you won't want to miss either, if you are in the area. Like the birthplace, the admission to the memorial is by donation.  As of this writing  [2009] both places close at 5 p.m. which is way too early for summer time.

Jim