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Will Rogers Hotel Building

524 West Will Rogers Blvd., Claremore, OK
Phone:
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The former Will Rogers Hotel was launched in 1930 with 68 rooms, seven apartments and a Spanish Mission style bell tower. Among other amenities it offered raduim mineral water baths even into the 1970s. It was also used as a bomb shelter during World War II. It went out of business as a hotel in 1991 reopening in 1997 as the Will Rogers Center and Apartments after a 38 apartment partial restoration. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.

The 1949 AAA Tour Book lists the hotel as having 75 guest rooms, but only 50 with a private bath. Room rates at the time were $2.00 to 8.00.

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Vintage Advertising Highlights

(Front)
DEDICATED THE WORLD'S GREATEST HUMORIST.
CLAREMORE, OKLA., U.S.A.

(Back)
HOTEL WILL ROGERS

- -Featuring "That Eastern Atmosphere, Western Welcome
and Southern Hospitality" --
Just after dedication, February 7, 1930, Will Rogers said: regarding his hotel, " I was more proud to see my name in electric lights in my old hometown on an institution built for service to the public, than I ever was on the biggest theater on Broadway".

NOTE: It's interesting that the postcard offers no real information about the hotel.
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Photo(s): 2012

 



 

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x About Us We started traveling Historic U.S. Route 66 as a destination in 2009. It's like a 2,400 mile long drive back in time from Chicago to Santa Monica! more
xDid You Know: Many parts of the old 4 lane Route 66 were reverted to a 2 lane road after 66 was realigned to the interstate. In many places the abandoned lanes are still there.