Amenities

Attractions

Dobson Memorial Center

The Dobson Museum operated by the Ottawa County Historical Society is open Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. The artifacts are owned by the Ottawa County Historical Society and highlight past Ottawa County life, mining, military, Native Americans, famous residents, industry including a permanent B.F. Goodrich exhibit.

The Dobson Home built in 1915-16 is an extension of the museum and open for tours and rental for events. The Dobson family furniture remains in the house today. The house is listed the National Register of Historic Places.

The gardens at the Dobson Memorial Center surround the home and are continued in the museum courtyard. From spring through fall there is a steady show of color from the many perennials and annuals in bloom. The Miami Garden Club and volunteers from the Ottawa County Historical Society maintain the many beds. Visitors are welcome to stroll through the gardens.

The Ottawa County Historical Society was organized in 1960 during a meeting at the Hotel Miami. Original board members represented all Ottawa County Communities. The society’s effort to preserve the past for future generations still exists today. The first museum was housed in the Dobson Building located at 2 ½ South Main. The museum was moved to 110 A SW in April 1972.

Upon the passing of Miss Nellie Dobson, the last survivor of the Dobson Family. Miss Nellie’s Will stipulated that a building was to be built on her property at 106 A S.W Miami, Oklahoma to house the Ottawa County collection owned by the Ottawa County Historical Society. Today volunteers man the museum known as the Dobson Memorial Center with operational costs and expenses paid by the Dobson Trust per Miss Nellie’s Will.

The Coleman Theatre

Located on Route 66 and nestled in the northeast corner of Oklahoma, the Coleman Theatre Beautiful is a beacon for tourists from around the world.

Every year visitors flock to the historic vaudeville theatre to experience the Spanish Colonial Mission-style exterior and the Louis XV interior. They marvel at the use of gargoyles, dolphins, cherubs and faces throughout the facility. And, let’s not forget about the “Mighty Wurlitzer” pipe organ.

Open Tuesday- Friday 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM and Saturday 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM.

Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College

Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, commonly referred to as NEO, is a two-year state residential college and fully funded by the U.S. state of Oklahoma located in the small former mining town of Miami, Oklahoma, with a variety of academic programs in Agriculture, Livestock Judging, Nursing, Physical Therapist Assistant, Theatre, Social Science, and other fields. Established as the Miami School of Mines in 1919, NEO currently has an enrollment of approximately two thousand students. The Golden Norsemen is the school mascot. Business Hours Monday – Friday 8:00 AM- 4:00 PM.

Ribbon Road - The Miami Original Nine-Foot Section of the Route 66 Roadbed

Just outside of Miami is the last section of the original nine-foot-wide “Ribbon Road” which is listed as an Oklahoma National Historic Landmark. Although a part of the Historic Highway, this section predates Route 66, having been built in the early 1920’s. Legend has it that when the road was built, Oklahoma’s budget was tight, so rather than covering half the mileage, they covered half the width. This remarkable piece of vintage pavement zigzags for 13 miles between Miami and Afton. Another small section of the original road also lies farther south in Narcissa.

Ribbon Road allows travelers to experience history older than Route 66. While the 9 ft highway was a part of the original Route 66 that was finished in 1926, this particular road was also part of the original Ozark Trail Highway. This section of road is an important part of Miami, Ottawa County, Oklahoma and National history.

Coleman Celebrity Park

Walk outside our gorgeous ballroom lobby and you enter “Celebrity Park,” a serene “pocket park” with a fountain and benches. It is a nice place to sit, read and enjoy a cup of coffee.

It received its name when six individuals were selected for the “Wall of Fame.” All six were Miami residents, achieved high levels of professional accomplishment and contributed to the community of Miami. Since then, four more worthy individuals have been added to the “Wall of Fame.

Lavern's Wedding Chapel

In Business Since 1954 Open Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Evenings, Weekends, and Legal Holidays by appointment after obtaining Oklahoma Marriage License and add $20.00 to fee. Must be 18 yrs. of age, have valid ID, no divorce pending Marriage License across street $50.00 Wedding/Pastor/Witnesses $60.00 Totals $110.00 Open Monday- Friday 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM.

Mickey Mantle's Boyhood Home

Drive just a few miles north to Commerce, Oklahoma and see the boyhood home of baseball legend Mickey Mantle. The New York Yankee slugger became known as “The Commerce Comet.” You can get out and walk around the lawn where he learned to hit and throw balls. The old tin barn that served as his backdrop still stands and you can see and feel all the dents and dings in the metal where he spent countless hours honing his skills.

Miami Regional Airport

The Miami Regional Airport is located northwest area of Miami, OK., on approximately 300 acres. We are hoping to see the Airport become an aeronautical development.

Opening in 1938, the airport soon became an intricate part of Miami’s development. In 1941, Spartan School of Aeronautics opened a school in Miami, training British Flyers, preparing them to fight the War in Europe. The primary training was in the PT-19. The cadets later graduated to the BT-13 and the T-6 which became the basic trainer. The T-6 aircraft is depicted in a painting by one of the cadets which hangs in the lobby of the airport. That same picture was later painted on the wall of the lobby, by Miami artist, Jessica Stout.

Fifteen of the cadets became casualties of the training and are buried at G.A.R. Cemetery. Each year, Miami has a dedication ceremony in honor of the fallen British flyers.

In November of 1942, RAF training ended at Miami and the airfield became a primary (Stage 1) pilot training airfield assigned to AAF Flying Training Command, Gulf Coast Training Center (later Central Flying Training Command). The Civil instructors were retained under USAAF control. For a short time starting in 1952 it had scheduled flights – Ozark DC-3 fleets.

Currently, the airport has 28 hangers to rent as well as a jet pad. We have an asphalt runway designated 17/35 that is 5,020 feet’ long and 100 feet wide. The load capacity is 22,000 lbs. single axle and 44,000 lbs. double axle. We can accommodate a variety of larger aircraft.

The Miami Route 66 Gateway Sign

A replica of a sign originally constructed in the 1900’s that spanned Central and C Street adjacent to the railroad station. For many years the sign welcomed visitors to Miami. The original sign was removed during the 1930’s. Today’s replica welcomes visitors to a revitalized downtown Miami.

Charles Banks Wilson Art Gallery

The Charles Banks Wilson Art and Cultural Education Center features a beautiful art gallery with original work by Wilson on permanent display. Formally dedicated in August of 2013, the project was spearheaded by the NEO Development Foundation. Located in Kah-Ne Hall with the NEO Art Department, the Charles Banks Wilson Gallery is free and open to the public.

An icon among artists, Charles Banks Wilson began teaching night classes for NEO A&M College in 1943. He was later named Chair of the Art Department at NEO and remained a faculty member until 1962. Influenced by the American regionalist tradition, Wilson used his own surroundings as his subject matter. Often characterized by Oklahoma landscapes, his art commonly portrayed farmers, cowboys, miners, and Indians. Wilson passed away in 2013.

The NEO Development Foundation gladly accepts donations of artwork by Charles Banks Wilson. Donated artwork is put on display with a plaque recognizing the donor. If you chose to donate art, your gift is tax deductible.

For more information on the Charles Banks Wilson Gallery or to host an event in the center, please contact Jennifer Hessee, NEO Development Foundation Executive Director, at 918-540-6250.