Fun facts about Oklahoma

We missed our weekly Monday email from Elliot today.  I won't get all excited this time and blame it on Somali pirates again.  But since we didn't get an email, I thought it would be fun to share some fun facts about Oklahoma.  I can't verify the truthfulness of any of these facts but since they are on the internet, they must be true, right?  Read the facts after the jump.

Elvis Presley used to like staying at the Best Western Trade Winds Motel in Clinton, Oklahoma.

Will Rogers was born on a large ranch in the Cherokee Nation that is today Oologah, Oklahoma. Rogers became a nationally known cowboy as the star of radio programs, Broadway plays, 71 movies in the 1920s and ‘30s. He was also a featured columnist, writing more than 4,000 syndicated articles.

The world’s first parking meter was installed in Oklahoma City on July 16, 1935.

In Bristow, Oklahoma it is against the law to serve water to a customer in a restaurant unless one peanut in a shell is also served. The consequences for this "serious” offence can result in a fine of up to five dollars.

Per square mile, Oklahoma has the most tornadoes of all U.S. states.

Sylvan N. Goldman of Humpty Dumpty Stores and Standard Food Markets invented the first shopping cart so that people could buy more in a single visit to the grocery store. He unveiled his creation in Oklahoma City on June 4, 1937.

Boise City, Oklahoma was the only city in the United States to be bombed during World War II. On July 5, 1943, at approximately 12:30 a.m., a B-17 Bomber based at Dalhart Army Air Base (50 miles to the south of Boise City) dropped six practice bombs on the sleeping town.  

Whaling is illegal in the state of Oklahoma.

In Ponca City a tornado once picked up a house with a man and his wife still in it. Though the walls and roof were blown away, the floor remained intact and eventually glided downward, setting the couple safely back on the ground.

Okmulgee owns the world record for largest pecan pie, pecan cookie, pecan brownie, and biggest ice cream and cookie party. Each June, Okmulgee hosts the annual Pecan Festival.

Musician Bob Dunn, from Beggs, Oklahoma, invented the first electric guitar 1935.

Big Foot was sighted in Vici, Oklahoma in 1977. Though a search party was sent out, no evidence was found.

The town of Beaver is the Cow Chip Throwing Capital of the World. The World Championship Cow Chip Throw is held there each April.  Apply here if you want to throw, and if you go, buy me an extra t-shirt!

Belle Starr, one of the most famous women outlaws, is buried in an isolated grave southwest of Porum, Oklahoma near the Eufaula Dam.  Check out the Ballad of Belle Starr.

Guthrie, Oklahoma has the nation's only museum devoted to the collection of lighters. At the National Lighter Museum, nearly 20,000 lighters and "fire starters" are displayed.

Oklahoma is one of only two states whose capital cities name includes the state name. The other is Indianapolis, Indiana.

Clinton Riggs designed the YIELD sign. It was first used on a trial basis in Tulsa.

Oklahoma has more man-made lakes than any other state, with over one million surface acres of water.

Oklahoma has the largest Native American population of any state in the nation. Many of the 250,000 American Indians living in Oklahoma are descended from 67 tribes who inhabited Indian Territory in the 19th century. Oklahoma is tribal headquarters for 39 tribes.

The official state meal of Oklahoma is chicken fried steak, fried okra, squash, cornbread, barbecue pork, biscuits, sausage and gravy, grits, corn, strawberries, black eyed peas and pecan pie.

Milk is the official state beverage of Oklahoma.

The first Boy Scout Troop in the US was formed in Pawhuska in 1909.

Billionaire J. Paul Getty began his oil empire in Tulsa.

Oklahoma has more miles of the original Route 66 than any other state.