The Oklahoma Route 66 Association recently announced its launch of Flat Will, an interactive way for people to honor the Sooner State’s favorite son, Will Rogers, and take him on new adventures, just in time for the Route 66 centennial in 2026.
Take selfies with Flat Will — a cutout likeness of Rogers about 11 inches tall — and post them to your favorite social media channels, using the #FlatWill hashtag so people all over the world can see where he’s been.
Cherokee artist Tom Farris of Norman designed Flat Will.
“Will Rogers was a proud Cherokee and embraced his culture and heritage,” Farris said. “I wanted to capture Will’s iconic look with a nod to his Cherokee roots.”
Flat Will’s chaps include seven stars down the side that represent the traditional clans of the Cherokee Nation.
“Flat Will is a wonderful way to honor Will Rogers’ legacy, have fun as you travel and support the 100th anniversary of Route 66, aka the Will Rogers Highway,” said Tad Jones, executive director of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma.
Flat Will is available at the museum, as well as at the Anna Mitchell Cultural Center in Vinita and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Thanks to a donation, these Flat Wills will be free at those locations.
Flat Will can also be ordered here from the Oklahoma Route 66 Association for only the cost of shipping while supplies last.
Educators can also download a black-and-white image of Flat Will for their classrooms.
“We want to get these into the hands of as many people as possible,” association President Rhys Martin said. “If schools or other groups are interested in getting more than a couple, please reach out to our office and we’ll see what we can do.”
Rogers, a humorist, writer and movie star, was a massive figure in early 20th-century pop culture.
“From rodeo to radio, from vaudeville to Hollywood, and in newspapers across the country, he was a familiar voice that people welcomed into their lives,” Martin said. “His wit and wisdom brought people together across thousands of miles, regardless of background or circumstance.
“Route 66 served a similar purpose, connecting communities and becoming something bigger than itself. That’s why the highway was given the nickname The Will Rogers Highway.”
Jennifer Rogers, Will’s great-granddaughter, said she was excited to celebrate her family’s legacy along the famous highway.
“In 1952, Route 66 was rededicated as the ‘Will Rogers Memorial Highway.’ My great uncle, Will Jr., led a caravan of celebrities from Chicago to Santa Monica to celebrate this dedication. Some of the original Will Rogers markers from this caravan can still be found along the route!”
“As we embark on the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road, I will be one of the first to take my Flat Will on an adventure from my home in Claremore, Oklahoma, to visit friends and family in my native state of California. I invite you to join me!”
Flat Will has been designated as a Route 66 centennial certified project.
(Image of Flat Will courtesy of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association)