Blue Whale, Catoosa, Oklahoma
Tribute by Jeffrey Sward
 
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Blue Whale, Catoosa, Oklahoma Photograph by Jeffrey Sward Blue Whale, Catoosa, Oklahoma Photograph by Jeffrey Sward
Blue Whale, Catoosa, Oklahoma Photograph by Jeffrey Sward Blue Whale, Catoosa, Oklahoma Photograph by Jeffrey Sward
Blue Whale, Catoosa, Oklahoma Photograph by Jeffrey Sward Blue Whale, Catoosa, Oklahoma Photograph by Jeffrey Sward
Blue Whale, Catoosa, Oklahoma Photograph by Jeffrey Sward Blue Whale, Catoosa, Oklahoma Photograph by Jeffrey Sward
Click any picture to enlarge
 

The Blue Whale in Catoosa, Oklahoma was built by Hugh Davis in the early 1970s as a surprise anniversary gift to his wife Zelta, who collected whale figurines. Hence, the Blue Whale became a Route 66 attraction for only a few years because Route 66 was decommissioned in 1985.

By 1988, the Davises found that they could no longer handle the management of the attraction and it was closed. Subsequently the Blue Whale fell into disrepair. In the early 2000s it was restored by the people of Catoosa and employees of the Hampton Inn. Hugh Davis' son, Blaine, was the caretaker at the property for many years.

in April 2020, the city of Catoosa, Oklahoma, purchased the Blue Whale and its surrounding 23 1/2 acres from its longtime owners, the Davis family. Since Catoosa has taken ownership of the land, there have been several improvements. The Whale itself has had a good cleaning. The bathrooms have been repaired. Much of the scrub brush has been removed and the walking path on the north side of the pond has been cleared.

Images are from 2010, after the first restoration (early 2000s) but before the second restoration (2020).

Visit a Blue Whale, Catoosa, Oklahoma Atlas Obscura article.

 

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