Roadside History of Oklahoma (Roadside History (Paperback)) [Paperback]

Francis L. Fugate (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1991 | Series: Roadside History

Roadside History of Oklahoma invites tourists and residents alike to use the state's highways as avenues connecting the present with the past. Drive along the stage route used by the Butterfield Overland Mail, or follow the Chisholm Trail as the first cowboys did after the Civil War when they drove cattle to railheads in Kansas, or cross the state on "America's Main Street," Route 66.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Whether you visit the sites in person or read about them from an easy chair, this roadside history is a must for folks wanting to know when, why, and how the twin territories joined to become the state of Oklahoma." --Arthur Shoemaker, True West

Product Details

• Paperback: 472 pages
• Publisher: Mountain Press Publishing Company (June 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0878422722
• ISBN-13: 978-0878422722
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #749,363 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #6 in Books > Travel > United States > States > Oklahoma

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An unexpectedly surreal and entertaining book, August 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Roadside History of Oklahoma (Roadside History (Paperback)) (Paperback)

The corpse of an unidentified drifter is taxidermied and passed off as John Wilkes Booth to paying tourists. A con artist convinces an entire town to plan a big reception for a coming circus, makes off with hundreds of dollars in ticket sales, and the townsfolk after realizing the circus was a hoax, celebrate anyway and begin a tradition that continues to the present day. The sole survivor of a notorious outlaw gang moves to Hollywood and socializes with cowboy movie stars. This book is filled with such stories, hundreds of them. The age of rioting and looting Indians, ramshackle buggy rides through the wilderness, mobs of thousands bidding on ridiculously underpriced real estate which already belongs to others, public executions, Messiah scares, genocide, and the like is brought vividly and frustratingly to life. This book is like a cross between Tom Robbins' outrageous humor and Italo Calvino's novel, Invisible Cities. And all of it, every droll word, is true. 'Beliveve it or not,' as the man said.

I would recommend this book not only to Oklahoma history buffs, but also to people who enjoy more fantastical fiction such as Gabriel Garcia Marquez, even to those with only marginal interest in Oklahoma at all.

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended for Oklahoma enthusiasts, October 17, 2010

By 

J. A. Williams "The Opinionator" (Oklahoma City, OK USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Roadside History of Oklahoma (Roadside History (Paperback)) (Paperback)

I moved to OK. about 6 yrs ago and still haven't gotten used to all the towns and the history. This is a great book with LOTS of old pictures about all the towns past and present, with well written histories. High recommendation for treasure and coin hunters, also for anyone interested in travel.