15 things about Oklahoma that will surprise you
From inventions to movie stars to one-of-a-kind sights, Oklahoma and her people have had their hands in a little bit of everything.
Here are 15 things about Oklahoma that might surprise you.
15. 'Acoustical vortex'
The Center of the Universe, found in downtown Tulsa, is a truly unique experience. It's simply a concrete circle surrounded by a larger circle made of bricks. When you stand in the inner circle and make a noise -- whether it's speaking, whistling, playing an instrument, etc. -- that noise will be echoed back to you but much louder.
13. Praying hands
The world's largest bronze statue is located on the campus of Oral Roberts University in Tulsa. It's of praying hands and weighs about 30 tons.
12. Mmm, cookies
Cookietown is a real place here in Oklahoma. As legend has it, it's named after a storeowner who would give cookies to children.
11. A titan
Sam Walton, the guy who founded Walmart, was born in Kingfisher.
9. A hill to end all hills
Apparently, the world's largest hill is located near Poteau -- Cavanal Hill stands 1,999 feet tall.
7. Nutty
The world's largest peanut sits in Durant.
6. The man, the myth, the legend
The infamous Gary Busey attended Oklahoma State University, but dropped out just one class shy of graduating.
5. Scholar
Educator, activist and philosopher Cornel West was born in Tulsa.
4. Huh
There's a small town in Oklahoma named Slapout. The 2000 census reports a population of only eight.
3. Hot and cold
The hottest temperature recorded in Oklahoma was 120 degrees in Tipton in 1994. The coldest? It was -31 degrees in Nowata in 2011.
2. Animals galore
Located near Alva is a massive petting zoo called The Menagerie - Bradt's Mammals and More that also offers laser tag and a giant hay maze.
1. What's in a name?
Oklahoma means "red people" in Choctaw.
Richard Hall is an award-winning newsroom developer, editor and blogger for NewsOK. He was born in Austin, Texas, spent his childhood in southern California and has lived in Norman since 1999. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2008. Read more ›