4 Unusual Creations in Oklahoma
Oklahoma's Unusual Creations
Oklahoma is a strange place. Sure, we know that Oklahoma had cowboys; we know the state has Indians; we know that there's a great big oil man hiding out somewhere in Downtown Tulsa, but did you know that there are also colossal frogs, metal dinosaurs, and two-headed cows?
If not, now you do.
This list shows only a few of the more bizarre places in Oklahoma; there are thousands more that haven't been listed! Places such as Catoosa's Blue Whale and Foyil's Totem Pole Park are well-documented, and then there are other places, such as the Captain's Castle in Cameron, that still remain a mystery. How many more strange and unique creations throughout Oklahoma can you name?
1. Cimarronasaurus, Boise City, Oklahoma
"Cimmy" may not be a completely accurate representation of an Apatosaurus, but it is still a monument of epic proportions! Modeled after the bones of an Apatosaurus found in a dig in Cimarron Country in 1931, the giant metal beast runs 65 feet long and is 35 feet tall. The sculpture, named by local schoolchildren, was constructed out of welded sheet metal and weighs an astonishing 18,000 pounds!
The bones, discovered about eight miles east of Kenton, Oklahoma, were unearthed by a certain Dr. Stovall. The Apatosaurus lived around 140 million years ago, during the Jurassic Period, and it was one of the largest land animals that ever existed.
So, how did this massive beast come into existence? Two amateur paleontologists from the area apparently thought it was a good idea. Bob and Norma Gene Young hired Joe Barrington from Throckmorton, Texas, to create the massive sculpture.
- Cimarronasaurus "Cimmy"
- The size of this Apatosaurus was calculated from 80% of bones that were excavated in western Cimarron County in the 1930s.
- Length: 65 feet; Height: 35 feet
- Weight: 18,000 pounds
- Artist: Joe Barrington, Throckmorton, TX
Concept and funds donated by Bob and Norma Gene Young
It is located at the Cimarron Heritage Center on Highway 287/385 in Bosie City.
2. Worlds Largest Peanut in Durant, Oklahoma
My, what a large Goober you have!
Yes, we’re talking peanuts here. A very, very large one, to be precise.
In Durant, Oklahoma, local residents claim to have the World’s Largest Peanut. No, it’s not a real peanut, but a slightly unusual monument to this famous variety of nuts. This large peanut monument was constructed out of concrete and mounted on a granite base. The colossal peanut is mounted on the Southeast corner of the Durant City Hall. It was dedicated on November 15, 1974, to the Bryan County Peanut Growers and Processors in honor of their contribution to the agricultural success of the region.
Just a few feet in front of the monument, a time capsule containing historical and legal documents was buried on June 16, 1973. This time capsule is scheduled to be reopened in June of 2023.
So, is this truly the world’s largest peanut? At the time it was constructed, it could easily hold that claim. Today, however, it shares that title with two other massive peanut monuments located in Texas and Georgia. Still, if you’re headed that way and are aching for a peanut fix, there’s no better place to stop than at Durant, Oklahoma!
3. Lightning Ridge Frog Rock at Ada, Oklahoma
This really isn’t something to get all croaked up about.
Or is it?
Everyone, at one time or another, has tried to catch a frog. Sure, they’re slimy little buggers, but what kid can resist? Imagine the face of one little boy as he went out to go chasing frogs and ended up finding more than he could handle as this massive frog stared down at him.
Created by Juanita Coulson in the spring of ’75, the large frog on Lightening Ridge began as a joke. One day, she noticed that the rock resembled a frog. So, with paint in hand and a grand idea forming, she quickly began dumping buckets of green paint on the rock. The more she painted, the more the true form of the rock began to emerge. Finally, with a grand flourish, the large beast came to life.
The Ada icon became so popular that people from miles around would stop by to see her masterpiece. As the paint began to fade, she would return each year to repaint it.
Even after all this time, the giant green frog of Lightening Ridge still remains, still standing as if waiting for a giant fly to come buzzing by.
4. Volkswagen Spider Bug
The Volkswagen Spider Bug is not a new concept; in fact, there are several of them spread all across the country.
This one is located near Lexington, Oklahoma.
More Oklahoma Sights
- History of the Blue Whale of Catoosa: An Oklahoma Whale of a Tale
Swimming through a sea of green foliage, the Catoosa, Oklahoma blue whale smiles happily at travelers driving along the historic Route 66. The blue whale's wide smile begs for attention, and like the call of the ancient Sirens, visitors are entranced - Medieval Castles in Oklahoma: Historic Information and Fun Facts
When most people think of Oklahoma, they think of cowboys and Indians, or of oil and large cornfields. But castles? It just sounds wrong. Unbelievable as it may be, there are indeed castles in Oklahoma. - Fascinating and Unusual Photographs From Oklahoma
Did you realize that people have long traveled all across Oklahoma in order to photograph both the natural and man-made wonders that the state has to offer? Here are some photographs that represent only a tiny portion of the unusual and fascinating t
© 2018 Eric and Sierra Standridge
