USA 🇺🇸 | Route 66 Road Trip Stop 17 – Cowboys & the American West

🛣️ Route 66 Once the primary route to the American West, Route 66 is affectionately nicknamed the "Mother Road" by Americans. It starts in Chicago, Illinois, cuts through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Arizona, and ends in Santa Monica (near Los Angeles) in California—winding through the heart of the U.S. 📅 Itinerary Update For Stop 17, we arrived in Oklahoma. With limited time, we only explored Oklahoma City—but it still packed a punch! 🤠 A Quick History of Oklahoma This land was originally a homeland for Indigenous peoples. Between 500–1300 AD, Indigenous communities here developed a rich culture, crafting exquisite pottery, textiles, carvings, and metalwork 🎨. When Spanish explorer Coronado arrived in 1541, at least three Indigenous tribes still thrived here. In 1714, French explorer Claude Charles Du Tisné visited the area, and French merchants soon began fur trading with local tribes 🦝. Spain and France competed for control of the region for decades; by 1800, it fell to France. Then, in 1803, the U.S. acquired it as part of the Louisiana Purchase. The 1830 Indian Removal Act established "Indian Territory" here, forcing Indigenous peoples from the East to relocate westward—a traumatic journey now known as the "Trail of Tears" 😢. 🌆 A Snapshot of Oklahoma City When Oklahoma became a U.S. state in 1907, Oklahoma City replaced Guthrie as the state capital. Soon after, many businesses and investors moved their capital from Guthrie to Oklahoma City, sparking its growth. In 1928, oil was discovered here—catapulting the city’s economy into a boom era ⛽! 🤠 National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum The vast, wild plains of the American West were once the stomping grounds of cowboys—iconic figures in U.S. culture, recognizable by their denim, Stetsons, and fearless rides on wild horses 🐎. Wielding lassos and exuding rugged confidence, they’ve become the face of classic Western movies. In Oklahoma City, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is dedicated entirely to celebrating this cowboy culture. Spanning 19,000 square meters, it houses over 28,000 artifacts and artworks related to cowboys and Western history—including Indigenous American art. Highlights of its collection? The world’s largest assortment of rodeo memorabilia, vintage photographs, barbed wire (a symbol of Western expansion), saddles, and early rodeo trophies 🏆. The museum’s mission is to preserve and interpret the unique cultural heritage of the American West. Each June, it hosts the Western Heritage Invitational Art Exhibition & Sale—transforming the museum into a massive art gallery. Proceeds from artwork sales help fund the museum’s operations 🖼️. 💡 Travel Tips 🩷 Check the museum’s hours first—don’t show up only to find it closed! ❤️ Shop early: Most commercial areas in the city close relatively early, so plan your shopping or dining trips accordingly. #USRoadTrip #TravelEnthusiast #MojiDuojiUnreliableChallenge #Route66 #AmericanWest #OklahomaCity