Catoosa breaks ground on $2 million Blue Whale park upgrades

A beloved Route 66 roadside attraction is getting a major facelift. City leaders broke ground Friday on a multimillion-dollar project at the Blue Whale, aiming to transform the park ahead of the highway’s centennial next year.

About 50 people gathered under a tent to mark the start of construction. The upgrades are funded through nearly $2 million in state money allocated for Route 66 tourism projects.

A New Chapter for a Roadside Icon

The project includes a new visitor center, updated restrooms and expanded parking. Additions like fire pits, a playground and neon signage are also in the works, designed to attract more travelers and enhance the visitor experience.

Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell spoke at the ceremony, calling the Blue Whale possibly “the most iconic monument on the most famous road in the world.”

Preserving the Legacy

While the Blue Whale itself will remain untouched, another notable structure is being temporarily removed. The A.R.K. – Animal Reptile Kingdom – once a staple of the site, has been disassembled and placed in storage during renovations.

Catoosa purchased the property in 2021 from the Davis family. Hugh Davis originally built the Whale in 1972 as a gift to his wife, Zelta. Their son, Blaine Davis, praised the city’s commitment to revitalizing the attraction.

“We took care of the Blue Whale the best we could,” Davis said. “We did not have the money, the manpower or the machinery to do what’s being done now.”

Route 66 Turns 100

City officials hope to have most improvements completed by the summer of 2026. That timeline aligns with the 100-year anniversary of Route 66, a milestone expected to bring increased tourism across Oklahoma.

The revitalization fund is part of the state’s broader push to support attractions along the Mother Road’s more than 400-mile stretch in Oklahoma.

“Everyone knows about ol’ Blue,” said Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin, “but not everyone knows about Hugh’s other work. I’m excited for the Whale to be the hook that continues his legacy of education.”