The City of Catoosa, Oklahoma, and other officials participated in Friday’s ceremonial groundbreaking for the Blue Whale of Catoosa Visitors Center.
The city posted a photo from the event:
More from a report by the Oklahoma Route 66 Association:
“You can argue the most iconic monument on the most famous road in the world is right here,” said Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell. “And it’s Catoosa’s own Blue Whale.” Pinnell thanked the State Legislature for creating the Revitalization fund and the Route 66 Commission for getting the funds out to communities across Oklahoma’s more than 400 miles of the Mother Road.
Blaine Davis, son of Hugh and Zelta and long-time member of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association Board, also spoke positively about the work the city has done and their plans for the future. “We took care of the Blue Whale the best we could. We did not have the ‘Three M’s’ like the city has,” Blaine said. “We did not have the money … the manpower … and we did not have the machinery to do the job that has been done here.” Blaine paused for a moment and looked out at the Whale and the pond, moved by the sight. “This just looks so nice … it’s a sight for sore eyes.”
Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin was also present. “I’m sad the old ARK is not standing where it was for decades,” he said, “But the city has said they’d like it integrated into the new site plan in some way. We’ve also talked to the city and the developers and expressed our willingness to be involved with the historic interpretation aspect of the project so that the overall Davis story is represented. Everyone knows about ol’ Blue, but not everyone knows about Hugh’s other work. I’m excited for the Whale to be the hook that continues his legacy of education.”
The city received a $1.8 million grant from the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission to transform the Blue Whale site off Route 66, especially the tiny visitors center, with neon lighting and other attractions.
The visitors center is expected to be finished by summer 2026.
Hugh Davis hand-made the Blue Whale from concrete and shaped rebar in 1970 as an anniversary gift to his wife.
The Blue Whale and its spring-fed pond became a popular swimming hole for locals and travelers along Route 66 alike.
It closed about 1988 and fell into disrepair until it was restored in the early 2000s.
Blaine Davis was the caretaker at the property for many years until the city purchased the property in 2021.
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