Man Spent 2 Years Building an 80-Foot Concrete Whale for Wife’s Anniversary Gift — 54 Years Later, It’s a Beloved Route 66 Attraction

NEED TO KNOW

• Catoosa, Okla.’s 80-foot-long Blue Whale was completed in 1972 as an anniversary gift for zoologist Hugh Davis’ wife

• The roadside attraction quickly became a popular swimming spot after Hugh added sand, picnic tables and lifeguards

• After Hugh’s death, the property began deteriorating until the city bought the land and added a 4,000-square-foot visitor center in 2026

From quirky giant statues to vintage art installations, there’s no shortage of roadside oddities along U.S. Route 66. The same is true in Catoosa, Okla., where a giant 80-foot-long and 20-foot-tall concrete whale continues to delight travelers year after year. 

The faux mammal’s history dates back to the early 1970s when local zoologist Hugh Davis was approaching his 34th wedding anniversary with his wife Zelta. Out of all the animals she loved, Zelta was particularly drawn to blue whales and so Hugh began designing a space centered around the animal where his grandchildren could play in a nearby pond. 

With the help of friend Harold Thomas, the duo spent two years welding metal framework and applying the hand-mixed cement, one five-gallon bucket at a time, according to the City of Catoosa. The project was completed in 1972 and immediately caught the attention of the public. 

“Originally intended for the family, it became a hugely popular swimming spot for locals and Route 66 travelers,” Jennifer Buchanan, Catoosa’s director of visitor services, told Tulsa People  in April. “The Davis property was already a popular stop, long before the Blue Whale — they had built Nature’s Acres, a wildlife park to care for wild animals and educate the public.” 

Soon, Hugh brought in tons of sand, built picnic tables and hired lifeguards to be able to officially open the site. 

By 1988, the adjacent nature center was closed and the remaining facilities started falling into disrepair after Hugh’s death in 1990 and Zelta’s death in 2001. However, the city stepped in and purchased the property in 2020. 

To prepare for Route 66’s centennial in 2026, Blue Whale Park received an onslaught of upgrades and restorations to the beloved attraction. Construction on a 4,000-square-foot visitor center — complete with a concession stand, event space and gift shop — began in 2025, thanks to the Route 66 Revitalization Grant. However, the whale itself largely remains unchanged. 

On May 30, the city hosted a ribbon cutting for the brand-new visitor center, attended by Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell. In his social media video from the event, hundreds of visitors are seen exploring the new facilities, adorned with an eye-catching neon sign. 

But plans to honor the attraction don’t end there. Buchanan says future events are already underway, including farmers’ markets, food truck Fridays and the “Light on at the Blue Whale” holiday event scheduled for Nov. 29. 

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“The vision for Blue Whale Park is big,” she told Tulsa People. “We’re not turning it into a theme park of any kind; there still won’t be a charge to come into the park or see the whale. But we’re hoping to make it a lively hub where people can once again bring their families and explore.”

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