The Oklahoma City bombing of 1995 was our biggest example of domestic terrorism. Over 160 people were killed, and Timothy McVeigh was executed two years later for carrying out the bombing. The memorial sits exactly where the building was located, and it has a museum next door. There is a memorial to the children who died, a plaza with information on the south side, and a grove of trees in tribute to survivors and responders. Two large walls with inscriptions block the street where the bombing occurred, which is now a reflecting pool. There is a beautiful bronze and granite inscribed chair for each of the victims, arranged according to where they were located in the building. On a nearby fence, people regularly leave tributes to the fallen.
I had always read that Oklahoma's state capitol building had oil wells on the grounds. It is true!
Oklahoma City is also the home of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. This is by far the largest, most comprehensive collection of art and memorabilia of the Old West way of life. It includes a mock western town, indoor and outdoor sculptures, priceless works of art, Native American artifacts, and a cool exhibit of Western movie and TV stars.
This Lincoln statue was on display because the artist who produced the "End of the Trail" Indian statue in the rotunda of the museum produced it, too. Turns out that both were made for the two ends of the Lincoln Highway. I guess these are the marble models, and the bronze statues are along the Highway. I saw this Lincoln statue, in bronze, in Lincoln Park in Jersey City, NJ, three weeks ago.
Oral Roberts University in Tulsa seems like a great place for someone who is serious about a non-traditional, Christian college experience. The whole campus is built around a prayer tower, which gives great views and offers a place for true contemplation. The use of shiny gold colors and modern architectural forms gives the place a unique overall look.
After growing quite tired of Oklahoma's toll roads, I spent the night in Joplin, Missouri.
