The Edmond Historical Society & Museum HomeExhibitsEventsEdmond HistoryMuseum InfoGiving

Exhibits
Traveling Exhibit
Prehistoric Times & Native American Heritage
Railroad
1889ers & Pioneers
Newspaper Exhibit
Farm Implements
1889er House
Edmond Beginnings
1920's Period Room
School Exhibit
Old Time Religion
Transportation
Bradbury Corner
Commerce
City Services
Clubs & Organizations
Sports & Leisure Activities
WWII & the Homefront
Edmond Historical Society & Museum
431 S. Boulevard
Edmond, OK 73034
(405) 340-0078
Fax: (405) 340-2771
edmondhistory@coxinet.net

From Oats to Gasoline Transportation Exhibit (and Route 66)
Early modes of transportation relied heavily on the railroad and the horse. The first Edmond streets graded were First and Second Street from the railroad tracks to Broadway, and Broadway from First to Second Street. An interesting business of the time was the James Taylor & Frank Dawson "Hotel de Hoss" livery stable. During the 1920’s, brick walks replaced wooden boardwalks downtown.

Transportation ExhibitIn 1905, the first car, a Tonneau Runabout, arrived in Edmond. This car was owned by Dr. O’Toole. The first auto filling station, repair shop and Ford Dealership was built in Edmond in 1916. By 1939, one could purchase 13 gallons of gas for $1.84. It was not until 1952 that Edmond had traffic stop lights which were located on Second Street at the intersections of Boulevard and Broadway.

In 1911 the Interurban Trolley line extended to Edmond and helped to usher in a new era of trolley transportation for Edmond. A one-way fare from Edmond to Oklahoma City was only 25 cents. Many Central State students rode the trolley to and from Edmond. The trolley operated until 1946.

Route 66 is often referred to as the "Mainstreet of America". Its path in Edmond entered from the east on Second Street to Broadway turning south into Oklahoma City. The simulated brick flooring of this exhibit represents the brick paving along certain sections of the highway. The Route 66 satellite exhibit is a part of the Route 66 Transportation Project sponsored by the Oklahoma Historical Society, funded in part through the federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act as administered by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. This satellite exhibit (as well as others in Miami, Claremore, Sapulpa, Arcadia, Chandler, Yukon, El Reno and Elk City) were planned in conjunction with the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton.

Many popular sites were located along Route 66 in Edmond including the Wide-A-Wake Cafe, Royce Cafe, Bradbury Corner, Reynolds Tourist Camp, Camp Dixie and Palacine Gas Station. Historic photographs and artifacts relating to Route 66 in Edmond are included in the Route 66 exhibit case.

Next exhibit

Back to top


HomeExhibits EventsEdmond HistoryMuseum InfoGivingEmail Us