Ed Galloway's Totem Pole Park
21300 OK-28 A, Chelsea, Oklahoma
Set along US Route 66, this quirky cultural landmark is Oklahoma’s largest and most important collection of environmental folk art. Creator Ed Galloway spent decades in the mid-20th century building this collection of stone and concrete totem poles decorated with brightly painted bas-relief designs that tower up to 90 feet (27 meters) high.
Curious travelers who take this short detour off the Mother Road are treated to a unique sight: a clutch of technicolor totem pole sculptures scattered through the landscape. The headliner is a soaring concrete totem pole that sits on the back of a turtle (a nod to a traditional Native American creation story), decorated with hundreds of Native American portraits, symbols, and animal figures on the interior and exterior.
The totem poles are set in a 14-acre (5.6-hectare) park around the main Fiddle House, an eleven-sided building resembling a Navajo hogan decorated with totemic columns and American Indian portraits. Today the house holds a collection of Galloway's hand-crafted fiddles and other wooden objects.
The folk art collection is truly an off-beat gem, even among many similar attractions along Route 66.
With roadside picnic tables (decorated with mini concrete totem poles) and large open spaces, the park is a great stop for families.
Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather to visit this outdoor attraction. The park has a small gift shop and restrooms, and is free to visit.
The park is a rolling, grassy expanse without paved walkways between totem poles, so it can be a challenge to visit by wheelchair.
Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park is located on Oklahoma State Highway 28A, about 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometers) east of US Route 66 (the junction is located in the town of Foyil, Oklahoma). The nearest city is Tulsa, about 41 miles (66 kilometers) to the southwest. There is no public transportation to the park, so most visitors take day trips from Tulsa or stop while traveling along Route 66.
The park and its gift shop are year-round from Monday to Saturday from 1am to 3pm, and on Sundays from 12:30pm to 4pm. The park and its totem poles are outdoors, so choose a clear, dry day to visit.
Steeped in legend and lore, US Route 66 follows one of the most iconic road trips in the world. Part of the allure is drawn from the collection of weird and wacky roadside attractions lining the route from Chicago to Los Angeles. Some of the most popular (and photo-worthy) include the Gemini Giant in Wilmington, Illinois; the Leaning Tower and Cadillac Ranch, both in Texas; and California’s Calico Ghost Town and Original McDonald’s Museum.
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