Seeking Out a Sapphire Cetacean - A Visit to the Blue Whale On Route 66 in Catoosa Oklahoma
Seeking Out a Sapphire Cetacean - A Visit to the Blue Whale On Route 66 in Catoosa, Oklahoma
By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures
Dear Henry,
One of the unexpected joys of living in Oklahoma is discovering that I now reside in a true Route 66 state. That means easier access to what may be the purest expression of roadside Americana ever created—quirky, heartfelt, and slightly absurd in the very best way.
I was especially delighted to learn that our apartment is only about twenty minutes from one of the route’s most famous landmarks: the Blue Whale of Catoosa.
The Blue Whale was built in the early 1970s by Hugh Davis as an anniversary gift for his wife, Zelta, who loved whales and collected whale figurines. What began as a deeply personal gesture, a spring-fed pond and a whimsical concrete whale meant to serve as a private family swimming hole, quickly became something much bigger.
It turns out that if you place a giant blue whale next to the road, people will come.
Locals and Route 66 travelers alike flocked to the site, and instead of fencing it off or shutting people out, Hugh Davis leaned into the unexpected popularity. He added picnic tables, brought in sand, hired lifeguards, and transformed the space into a welcoming roadside destination. During its heyday, the grounds even included an A.R.K. (Animal Reptile Kingdom) and an artist’s gallery showcasing the work of Chief Wolf Robe Hunt, a talented Native Pueblo artist, Zelta’s brother, and the former owner of the trading post across the street.
Chief Wolf Robe Hunt passed away in 1977, but some of his artwork still circulates today, adding another layer of cultural depth to what might otherwise be dismissed as novelty.
By 1988, maintaining the grounds had become too much for the aging couple, and the site was closed to the public. Hugh Davis died in 1990, followed by Zelta in 2001, and for a while, the Blue Whale sat abandoned, slowly weathering under Oklahoma skies.
Fortunately, the story doesn’t end there.
In 2010, the residents of Catoosa, along with support from a local Hampton Inn, rallied to save the whale. Through fundraising and volunteer labor, the beloved landmark was restored. Today, the picnic grounds are once again open to visitors, though swimming is no longer allowed.
What remains is a joyful piece of Route 66 history, equal parts love letter, community project, and roadside kitsch. It doesn’t pretend to be profound, but it quietly is. A reminder that sometimes the things we build out of affection and imagination last longer than we ever expect.
I’m very glad I stopped by.
Ziggy approved, too.
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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life
She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.
You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.
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