Catoosa Event Tickets

Catoosa
The river city in Rogers and Wagoner counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma, located along historic Route 66, is called Catoosa.

Being an Inland seaport, the Port of Catoosa is the farthest inland seaport in the United States, linking Tulsa to the Arkansas River and eventually to the Gulf of Mexico.

The name of the city Catoosa is derived from the musical language Cherokee and has been interpreted in various ways, such as, between two hills, on the hill, into the hills, and possibly signifying a prominent hill or place thereon.

The proper pronunciation of Catoosa is Ka-too-see which means on the hill. The symbol K2C has been used for years, and is believed to have been a cattle brand.

The city of Catoosa was established around 1882, when the Frisco Railroad turn-a round point was also completed. A small group of people were settled in the lowlands to the east of what is now Catoosa, and then known as Fort Spunky.

The area was susceptible to flooding, therefore, each time there were large amounts of rainfall, the little settlement would move to higher ground. Ultimately, the settlers reached the area in and around the current location of Cherokee and Denbo streets.

The railroad was built in this area by 1882, and the settlement of Catoosa began to evolve. The boundaries of the Town of Catoosa were defined by J. Gus Patton on March 20, 1902.

The town site was actually approved June 16, 1902 by Thomas Ryan, acting secretary, Department of Interior, Washington, D.C. Records show the first post office was established in Catoosa on March 27, 1883, almost 20 years prior to the approval of the town site.

Catoosa started its early years as a farming community, but it was not destined to remain as such for long. With the coming of the railroad, Catoosa began to develop and prosper into a nice size community. Tremendous stockyards were built, and cattle were brought from ranches for miles around to the major shipping point of the West to be shipped to market.

A multitude of outlaws passed through Catoosa, including the Daltons, Youngers, James Doolins, Verdigris Kid, Cherokee Bill, Henry Starr, Little Bill Whitman, Frog Davis and Skeeter Baldwin. Many of these were just passing through on their way to Rascal Flats, which was an area to the north of Catoosa where the Tulsa Port of Catoosa is now located. It was once one of the outlaws favorite hideouts due to its situation.

The city with a growing population of approximately 6,000 people has encountered many changes. The City of Catoosa has built its second fire station, a New City Hall building, a Library, and Community Center with plans to build a Recreation Center and has also implemented an Animal Adoption Program.

The Catoosa Historical Museum was built with the ongoing efforts of the Catoosa Historical Society. The City of Catoosa has also acquired a second museum, known as Catoosas D.W. Correll Museum.

There are several new infrastructure projects in the works which include extending water and sewer lines to accommodate new housing and commercial growth. The City has completed a long range Comprehensive Plan to the year 2025, as well as approving an updated Zoning Code.

The City of Catoosas future is bright. With the continuing efforts and leadership of many fine citizens we will continue to grow and prosper. Catoosa Schools now rank in the top of the state public schools in Class 5A. The Blue Whale of Catoosa on Route 66 is a very famous landmark located just east of the downtown area.

The whale is 80 feet long and is made of sucker rods covered in concrete and painted turquoise blue. This unique structure once served as a slide and diving apparatus for children as the local swimming hole.

Now, it has become one of the best loved icons on Route 66, and has been featured in almost every book that commemorates the history of the road.

Another point of interest which is just across the highway from the Blue Whale, is situated the Arrowood Trading Post, which was formerly a trading post. Now, it is serving as a performance car shop.

The Tulsa Port of Catoosa, which is the furthest inland seaport in the United States of America, is another must see of the city. While touring the city, make sure you visit all these above mentioned attractive places of the City of Catoosa.