The first town over the Texas border, Texola has dried up and all but blown away since it was bypassed by I-40, but a few remnants still stand, awaiting nostalgic photographers. The only signs of life hereabouts are the shouts and swears emanating from the combination pool hall and beer bar housed in the large metal shed on the south side of the old highway, where you’re welcome to watch the most passionate domino games this side of Yuma, Arizona.
East from this borderline ghost town, a mile south of the I-40 freeway, a nice stretch of late-model Route 66 continues as a four-lane divided highway, passing through the great little town of Erick (pop. 1,083), six miles east of Texola. Along with main streets named for local musical heroes Sheb Wooley and Roger Miller, Erick has another unique draw: the 100th Meridian Museum (hours vary; donations), on Route 66 at the only stoplight in town. Displays inside trace life on what used to be considered the edge of the habitable world—everything west of the 100th Meridian was officially thought to be the “Great American Desert”—and also explain that Erick used to be on the Texas border, until the border was realigned. Across the street, check on the status of the proposed Roger Miller Museum, established by the widow of the original “King of the Road”.
