Ames, Oklahoma: astroblemes and race cars

Ames, Oklahoma, is a tiny town of 199 people in Major County, in Northwest Oklahoma. It's worth the 10 mile detour south of Highway 412.

One reason is the new Ames Astrobleme Museum. It's a tiny open air installation that explains about an ancient asteroid strike and how it affected oil production in the area.


There are information panels and a six minute video.


Right next door is a veterans' memorial, including a massive airplane prop, an anchor, a memorial statue, a jet and a tank. It's the busiest little memorial anywhere.


The other museum is completely different. Race cars! I didn't get a chance to stop in on my last trip, but I hear he has a huge collection of NASCAR, with a respectable group of NHRA funny cars, and lots more.

Plus the Ames murals are fun and historical, kinda folksy. Drive down the main drag and browse through them.


Impressive for a town of fewer than 200.