The Blue Whale of Catoosa (Catoosa, Oklahoma)
The Blue Whale of Catoosa, a 20-foot-tall, 80-foot-long concrete sculpture, was constructed in 1972 by local zoologist Hugh Davis as a surprise 34th wedding anniversary gift for his wife, Zelta, who collected whale figurines. Originally serving as a swimming hole for locals and travelers along Route 66, it has become a beloved roadside attraction. (cityofcatoosa.org) Similar folk art installations along the highway include Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park in Foyil, Oklahoma, featuring the world’s largest concrete totem pole, and Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch in Oro Grande, California, showcasing over 200 “trees” made from steel pipes and colored glass bottles.
