Photo Credit: Batterup55
You’ve gone north, south and east, but have you ventured west of the city? There are many unique places to see along Route 66, and Hydro, Okla., in Caddo County is one that will leave you feeling like you’ve stepped into the well-loved Pixar movie, “Cars.”
Hydro is 63 miles west of Oklahoma City along the historic Route 66. Its name was changed from Caddo to Hydro in 1901, referring to its plentiful well water. The town currently only has around 1,000 total residents, but they’ve made it a charming place to stay and explore for an evening or two.
One of the things you won’t want to miss when you visit Hydro is Lucille’s Service Station, which is one of only two classic two-story porch-style stations left on the Oklahoma section of Route 66. The station was built in 1929 by a man named Carl Ditmore. In 1941, the Hamons family began managing the station, and Lucille Hamons continued to run the business for another 60 years. She earned the nickname “Mother of the Mother Road,” thanks to her sincere hospitality and commitment to the service operations.
When I-40 was completed in 1971, the mom-and-pop station had much lower access and visibility for travelers. Despite the challenge of decreased business opportunity, Lucille continued running the station until she died on Aug. 18, 2000. And though you can no longer get gas at the station, it’s a popular destination for photo opportunists and history lovers from around the world. In 1997, it earned its rank on the National Register of Historic Places.
“I'm a longtime fan of Route 66 and have driven the Mother Road 4 times coast to coast. Lucille's gas station is one of the icons that has been lovingly restored and cared for, even though the station's namesake has sadly passed away,” said a Las Vegas resident about her travel experience.
After making a pit stop at Lucille’s you may want to settle in at The Farmhouse at P Bar Farms. This two-bedroom, one-and-a-half bath guesthouse offers room for six people interested in experiencing life on the farm. Guests can explore the farm and visit its petting zoo. During the months of September-November, they also offer fun fall activities on the property, including a corn maze, hayride and train rides. Though you may be interested in cooking at the farmhouse, on the weekends they offer food items for sale at their country store.
Hydro is also home to Oklahoma’s oldest free fair, which began in 1907. Each year, the fair is open in mid-August, offering many opportunities for livestock and agriculture competitions, in addition to entertainment and fun for the whole family. More information about the history of the fair can be found on their website.
What other Oklahoma towns are worth exploring? Let us know about your favorites in the comments section below.
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