County seat - Sayre / County population per 2000 Census - 19,799
Our next stop here at 77 counties is Beckham County, another Oklahoma Route 66 town located halfway between Oklahoma City and Amarillo, TX. Beckham is one of 4 counties in southwest Oklahoma that was once part of Greer County, TX. In 1896, Texas was required to give the land back to the Federal Government and ultimately it was split into 4 counties once Oklahoma achieved statehood.
The family was on another trip out west to see the Grand Canyon and visit some historic Route 66 spots through Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona over spring break so we decided to hit Sayre on the way through Beckham county. We stopped first at the historic county courthouse where director John Ford filmed parts of The Grapes of Wrath in 1940.
While there an older lady pulled up beside us and inquired if we were "locals". No I informed her that we were just passing through. This disappointed her as she was really hoping someone could tell her if there was a Sonic in town. She really didn't want to mess with the local truck stop and just knew this town had to have a Sonic. Being a Sonic loving Okie and growing up in the same town where Sonic's founder built his first restaurants I was eager to help her out. Thanks to the modern advantages of in dash GPS I quickly punch a few buttons and located the address of the Sonic.
After our short visit we didn't feel the need to look far for our next photo. I had already spotted the old grain facility next to the rail lines running through the town. The way the early morning sun was kicking off the shiny metal panel and the orange pipes was perfect. So we headed over and captured a few more photos to add to our 77 counties collection.
Up next time, Roger Mills County.
1 comments:
Oh I love the contrast of the blue Oklahoma sky and the sun hitting the metal building. Perfection!
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