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An Egyptian mummy is not what most travelers expect to find in central Oklahoma, yet Shawnee's Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art holds one, along with Renaissance paintings collected by a Benedictine monk. That mix of the unexpected runs through this small city on Interstate 40, about 35 miles east of Oklahoma City.
Shawnee was founded in the 1890s after land runs opened the area to settlement, and it boomed as a railroad and cotton town; the castle-like Santa Fe depot now houses a county history museum. The city is home to Oklahoma Baptist University and to the headquarters of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, whose Cultural Heritage Center tells the tribe's story from the Great Lakes to Oklahoma. Astronaut Gordon Cooper grew up here, and actor Brad Pitt was born in Shawnee.
Each summer the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center hosts the International Finals Youth Rodeo, while Shawnee Twin Lakes on the west edge of town offer fishing and quiet shoreline.
Founded by Benedictine monk and painter Father Gregory Gerrer, this museum holds an Egyptian mummy and burial artifacts, European paintings from the Renaissance onward, and Native American and world cultures collections. It is one of Oklahoma's oldest art museums. Allow an hour or two and check the opening days.
The tribe's cultural center traces Potawatomi history from the Great Lakes through forced removals, including the Trail of Death, to the nation's life in Oklahoma today. Exhibits combine artifacts, family stories, art and a veterans wall, and the center holds tribal archives. Admission is free; check hours before visiting.
Built in the early 1900s of rough-cut stone with a round turret, this former Santa Fe railway station looks more like a small castle than a train depot. It now houses the Pottawatomie County Historical Society museum, with pioneer artifacts, railroad memorabilia and local history displays. Check hours before visiting.
This modest log cabin is considered the first home built in what became Shawnee, dating from the town's earliest years in the 1890s. Preserved in Woodland Veterans Park, it offers a glimpse of frontier life on the former Indian Territory land. Combine it with a walk around the park and its veterans memorials.
Every July, young riders from across North America compete in Shawnee for titles and scholarships in barrel racing, bull riding, roping and other events, making this one of the biggest youth rodeos anywhere. Evening performances are the most exciting. Book hotels early, since the event fills rooms across the area.
This large complex of arenas and exhibit halls hosts rodeos, horse shows, livestock events, trade shows and festivals throughout the year. It is the home of the International Finals Youth Rodeo each summer. Check the events calendar before you go, as activity varies widely by weekend.
Owned by the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, this resort near I-40 has a large gaming floor, several restaurants, a hotel tower and an event center that books concerts and comedy shows. It is one of the bigger casino resorts in Oklahoma. Guests must be at least 18 for gaming; check the show calendar before your trip.
Founded in 1910, the university sits on Bison Hill with historic Shawnee Hall and the tall spire of Raley Chapel, a landmark across town. Visitors can walk the campus grounds and attend concerts and recitals by the music program. Weekday visitors should check parking rules before arriving.
Two connected city reservoirs on the west side of Shawnee offer fishing for bass, crappie and catfish, simple camping areas and quiet shoreline drives. Sunrise and sunset bring good wildlife watching, including herons and deer. Fishing permits from the city may be required in addition to a state license, so check the rules.
Main Street's early 20th century brick buildings recall Shawnee's railroad boom and now hold restaurants, antique shops and local boutiques. Look for the restored theater facades and murals along the way. Downtown events and seasonal festivals bring the street to life, especially on spring and fall weekends.
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Photo: Gigrantula, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Gigrantula, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Gigrantula, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Gigrantula, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
