Located along the iconic Route 66 highway in Lincoln County, Chandler offers a mix of nostalgic Americana and attractions that make it a great stop for travelers and locals alike. As the county seat, this vibrant small town captures the essence of the Mother Road with its historical landmarks, all while buzzing with new developments, especially as the Route 66 Centennial approaches this year. Whether you’re cruising the highway or seeking a weekend getaway, Chandler’s blend of pioneer spirit, interactive museums and community energy promises something unforgettable.
Start your journey at the Lincoln County Museum of Pioneer History on Main Street, a free, donation-supported gem that’s been welcoming visitors since the 1980s. Here, you’ll often find volunteer Liz Gulliver sharing stories with locals and Route 66 explorers, highlighting the town’s deep roots in Oklahoma’s frontier past.
For a true immersion in Route 66 lore, head to the Chandler Route 66 Interpretive Center, housed in a 1937 WPA-built former National Guard Armory made of locally quarried, hand-chiseled sandstone, 20 inches thick. The structure served the Oklahoma National Guard until 1971, and executive director Susan Pordos emphasizes its interactive appeal with “six video stations and a cozy theater [which] enhance the individual experience with state-of-the-art technology. The glitter-speckled, vintage-style motel beds bring a whole new meaning to the term ‘Rest Stop.’
“Your Route 66 journey takes place from the seats of a Model A, a Willy’s Jeep, a Ford Mustang and from relaxing motel beds – all of it designed to cultivate a nostalgic mood for a cruise through yesteryear,” she concludes.
The center appeals to all ages, taking visitors on an “interactive trip on the Mother Road – a pilgrimage experienced through an array of audio/visuals portraying the sights, sounds and history of America’s legendary highway,” says Pordos.
The center also features photography of Oklahoma Route 66 icons donated by Tulsa Community College students.
Chandler’s designation as the “Hometown of the Oklahoma National Guard” shines through, thanks to Howard Dickman’s efforts in documenting its history since 1898, with a framed citation proudly displayed on Main Street.
Pordos urges visitors to explore the Route 66 Bowl, where owners Sid and LaDonna invested years in planning the space.
“They have the original Route 66 Bowl Neon Sign from OKC as well as hundreds of vintage signs, gas pumps and multiple [pieces of] memorabilia,” she says.
Chandler celebrates roadside culture artist Jerry McClanahan, recently inducted into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame. He authored the Route 66 EZ Guide and coauthored the Here It Is Map Series with Jim Ross, exploring the highway since 1980.
“The City of Chandler was recently awarded grant funding from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to partially fund a new park in honor of McClanahan to celebrate the 2026 centennial,” built on land that was formerly a baseball/softball field and will be called McClanahan Park, shares Pordos. “You can view his artwork at McJerry’s Route 66 Art Gallery downtown.”
Beyond downtown, gems like the Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum, a 1920s building with 140 vintage bikes curated by Jerry Ries, draw global visitors.
“Visitors from all over the world come in, you can’t name a spot they haven’t come from,” Ries says.
Nearby, Painted Gate Farm, a working cattle ranch and Airbnb owned by Wayne and Janis Baldwin, offers rural charm.
“We fell in love with Chandler because it’s a ‘live’ small town, not a bedroom community,” says Janis Baldwin. “The downtown is alive every day, all day except Sunday, then the churches are alive.”
She praises the active movie theater, Lincoln County On Stage theater group, beautiful parks with walking trails and murals, and agricultural hubs like veterinarians and farm centers.
With its historical significance on Route 66 and exciting additions like McClanahan Park on the horizon, Chandler isn’t just a pit stop – it’s a destination brimming with fun, history and heart.
