Tales of the Blue Whale Trivia Quiz

Answer: Route 66

Receiving the news in 1926 that Route 66 would pass through Oklahoma was really a big deal for the new state, which was only nineteen years old at the time. The Route began in the northeast corner of the Kansas/Oklahoma border, and continued through the largest cities in the state, Tulsa and Oklahoma City, before reaching the Texas Panhandle. During the 1930s, Route 66 was filled with Okies trying to flee the Dust Bowl and relocate, as described by John Steinbeck in "The Grapes of Wrath". Today the Blue Whale resides at 2600 Historic Route 66.

Answer: Catoosa

Actually the site is called the Blue Whale of Catoosa. The name "Catoosa" is derived from the Cherokee meaning "between two hills" or "on the hill". Once controlled by the Cherokee Nation, the area around Catoosa became a cowtown, complete with a U.S. post office in 1883. In 1971, about the same time that the Blue Whale was under construction, the Tulsa Port of Catoosa was opened, which, in a roundabout way, connects the Mississippi River with the Gulf of Mexico. This created more jobs in the area and also boosted the population of the town. While there are other activities that might attract visitors today, the Blue Whale still continues to be a popular destination - especially with those who ride the Route.

Bluford Duck was a known cattle rustler and outlaw in the Oklahoma Territory in the late 1800s. At one time he joined Belle Starr's gang, and the story is that after Duck was captured and sentenced to time in prison, Starr tried to help him with an appeal that was not successful. Eventually he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and given a pardon because he had a short time to live. He returned to Catoosa, where he is buried.

Answer: Anniversary present

Hugh Davis, a retired director of the Tulsa Zoo, built the Blue Whale for his wife, Zelta, in honor of their 34th anniversary. Did you notice the blue whales that greet people upon their arrival to the site are kissing? Zelta had always loved whales, and apparently had a collection of whale figurines. Davis originally planned that the spring-fed pond would be used by his family members, but other local people enjoyed it so much that he eventually opened it to the public. Zelta had to make the difficult decision in 1988 to close the attraction because of Hugh's poor health. From 1988-1995 the Blue Whale fell into terrible disrepair.

Answer: Swimming

Before the Blue Whale was constructed, the pond that was located on the family property was used for swimming and fishing in the summer, and ice skating in the winter. But, the primary activity for which Old Blue was used - even before he was blue - was swimming. Just image being able to take a dip in a nice spring-fed pond during the long, hot summer in Oklahoma! When Davis realized that local people were sneaking onto his property for a dip, he expanded the scope of the site, building picnic tables, and creating a sand bar at one end of the pond. Visitors were allowed to jump off the diving board on Blue's tail (or slide down), slide down the slides, and were even protected by lifeguards who were hired by Davis to patrol the area.

Answer: Animal Reptile Kingdom

As Director of the Tulsa Zoo, Hugh Davis frequently brought animals who needed special care home with him. Called the A.R.K., the Animal Reptile Kingdom and Catoosa Alligator Ranch was one of those roadside attractions that gave visitors an opportunity to see exotic animals (mostly alligators, snakes, and prairie dogs) up close and personal. To date these has been no restoration attempt made on the ark and some sources claim that it is beyond repair.

The Arrowhead Trading Post was across the road from the Blue Whale and was run by Davis' brother-in-law, Chief Wolf Robe, who belonged to the Acoma group of Native Americans. He was an accomplished artist and silversmith. The World's Largest Totem Pole, built by Ed Galloway in the 1950s, was found in Foyil, Oklahoma. While Route 66 is sometimes called the Will Roger's Highway in Oklahoma, Rogers was born in nearby Oologah, Oklahoma.

Answer: Swimming

In 1995 the people of the community, along with Davis' son, Blaine, decided to restore the Blue Whale, but, understandably, swimming is no longer allowed there. The old picnic tables that were supported by whimsical whales are still available for use, and there is a sign that says fishing is allowed, but only on a catch and release basis.

There are even sand buckets and similar toys strewn along the banks of the pond, left behind for others to use. In addition, don't forget to walk the short nature trail that goes around the whale. Perhaps the small food/souvenir stand be be open when you visit.

Answer: Concrete

Luckily, Davis had a friend who was a welder who helped him build the iron framework of the Blue Whale. Davis meticulously wrote down how long he worked and how much material was used, so we known that his friend donated 100 hours of labor; the Blue Whale eventually measured 20 feet tall and 30 feet long.

The 126 bags of concrete were mixed by hand in a five gallon bucket. The process was so time consuming that Davis recorded that he worked for 2,920 hours to apply the cement. Blaine Davis has said that the Blue Whale was so well built that there is not a crack or failure anywhere in the structure. Looking into its interior, one can notice that Hugh didn't forget even the smallest details.

He even built concrete steps that lead to the slides on the side of the whale.

Answer: Hampton Inn

My grandson first became acquainted with the Blue Whale after seeing this advertising campaign. We were staying at a Hampton Inn in Oklahoma at Christmas when he saw a book in the room with the Blue Whale on its cover. Not only did volunteers from the local Hampton Inn help with the cleanup, another group called Fins of the Blue Whale was formed in 2009.

They hope to be able to open the A.R.K. someday. Until then they will run the souvenir stand at the Blue Whale - that is, when the weather permits.

Answer: Hard Rock Casino

The Hard Rock Casino is actually less than three miles south of the Blue Whale. It was originally called the Cherokee Casino and Resort, and is run by the Cherokee Nation. The complex contains two hotels, a golf course, a music venue, and a number of restaurants. Each year it hosts several special events, such as the Cherokee Art Market and the International Cherokee Film Festival.

All of the other choices are found on in Tulsa. The Philbrook Museum grounds include a lovely historic home and formal gardens. You may like to drive by to enjoy the architecture of the Frank Lloyd Wright house, but it is not currently open to the public. There are many types of aircraft on display at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium, along with opportunities to try flight simulators. I hope that as my grandson gets a bit older we will be able to enjoy all of these sites with him.

Answer: American Pickers

In the 2016 episode, "On The Road Again", Pickers Mike Wolf and Danielle Colby returned to the site of a previous pick where Mike had purchased a 1935 Auburn convertible. He had promised that he would return with it after it had been restored. The owner of the car had passed away, but his widow was happy to go for a ride with the pair. While in the area Mike and Danielle stopped to admire the Blue Whale of Catoosa, and briefly tell its story.

This question is significant because after seeing Old Blue on "American Pickers" we decided that we had to see the Blue Whale of Catoosa during one of our trips to the area. Because we have family there, we have made the trip from Missouri to Oklahoma many times, and try to amuse ourselves by taking the Historic Route 66 whenever time permits. We always keep Route 66 books in the car to use as references for where we want to go next. In fact, our little road trip rider, when given the choice, would rather take the scenic route no matter where we go!