Vinita blends historic Route 66 roots with a friendly community feel
One of Oklahoma's oldest cities, Vinita is known for rich history on Route 66; but for locals, life revolves around the small-town vibe and tight-knit community. A longstanding rodeo and proximity to Grand Lake O' the Cherokees are two highlights of this northeast Oklahoma locale. While some look for space to farm in the outlying land, many enjoy close relationships with neighbors. Jackie Palma, a longtime Vinita resident and managing broker of Hometown Real Estate, says it's the kind of place where tourists snap pictures of the iconic downtown café, while locals chat inside. "It really is a nice hometown feel. Everybody is very friendly. It's almost like taking a step back in time," Palma says. "It's slower paced. Everybody knows everybody."
Vintage Victorians in town and farms on the outskirts
Homes range from outlying farms to turn-of-the-20th-century Victorians, which may have original woodwork and metalwork. "It blows my mind that everybody else throws homes together these days at 90 miles per hour, and people used to actually engrave hinges with these ornate designs," Palma says. "It was a time of craftsmanship and people really cared about every detail that went into those homes." Ranch-style, bungalow and Minimal Traditional homes also line the residential streets. Some residents take advantage of their Oklahoma Green Country location with smaller hobby farms or bigger agricultural pursuits. "We have a lot of farming ranches, so if somebody wants to come out here and run cattle and grow crops, we have some of the richest soil and some of the most beautiful hillsides," Palma says. Vinita's median single-family home price is about $170,000, significantly below Tulsa's and the national number. Small bungalows and ranch styles in need of significant upgrades can start as low as $15,000, with modest turnkey properties going for between $65,000 and $210,000. Spacious lakefront homes with private docks can top the million-dollar mark. Homes along the area creeks may be more susceptible to flooding.
Familiar faces at Clanton's and other nostalgic Route 66 stops
Locals and tourists flock to Vinita's Route 66 antique shops and restaurants, especially Clanton's Café, which has been around in different iterations since 1927. It's been featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" and serves Southern staples, such as fried chicken and catfish. "In the morning you'll have tables full of these little old people who will talk across the restaurant at each other," Palma says. "It's like something out of a movie, just being around that. It's like you're having dinner with your family." Grocery options include Walmart Supercenter and Carter's Food Center. The historic downtown Center Theater shows new releases and hosts special events. Palma says the local nonprofit Vinita Main Street is making quick work of downtown revitalization efforts to bring new businesses and events.
Vinita schools earn above-average marks and offer early college prep
Vinita Public Schools includes Hall-Halsell Elementary, which doesn't yet have a Niche score, and Will Rogers Elementary, which earns a B. Ewing Halsell Middle gets a B-plus, and Vinita High earns a B. The high school provides a few Advanced Placement options and concurrent enrollment opportunities at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College. The Northeast Tech Afton Campus offers career pathways for high schoolers and adults in fields such as automotive collision repair technology, cosmetology and visual communications.
Waterfront fun at Vinita Lake Park and Grand Lake O' the Cherokees
Vinita's parks and recreation facilities include playgrounds and picnic pavilions, a public pool, a skate park, tennis courts and a splash pad. Vinita Lake Park features a 45-acre lake stocked with bass, crappie and catfish. Although gas-powered motorboats are prohibited, kayaks, canoes and 10-foot bass boats with electric trolling motors are allowed. Grand Lake O' the Cherokees, about 20 miles east, offers 46,500 surface acres for parasailing, wakeboarding and other water sports.
Rodeo and Route 66 Festival are highlights of Vinita’s calendar
Vinita's first rodeo took place in the 1930s at the request of Will Rogers, the famed humorist and Northeast Oklahoma native. Today, the Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo in August is the town's biggest event, featuring bull riding, barrel racing, bronc riding and a comedy act. A 100-piece parade kicks off the festivities. "It's a whole week of rodeo — the whole city shuts down, all the businesses close," says Amy Cherry, a Vinita resident and broker at Solid Rock Realtors. "All the people are either watching it or are in the parade." The Vinita Route 66 Festival in June features a Friday night block party, a kids' inflatable park, food trucks and live music.
Convenient interstate access between two major metros
Locals rely on cars to travel in and out of this rural area, and it's connected to two major metro areas via Interstate 44. Tulsa is less than 65 miles southwest, and Joplin is about 50 miles northeast across the Missouri border. Travelers can head about 100 miles to Tulsa International Airport for commercial flights. Saint Francis Hospital Vinita is a county-wide draw for healthcare services, including emergency care. The Cherokee Nation's Vinita Health Center provides primary care, dental care and other specialty services in town.
City sirens alert locals of possible tornadoes
Vinita, as with most of Oklahoma, falls in the path of Tornado Alley. The city issues siren alerts for tornado warnings, severe thunderstorm warnings and straight-line winds. There are no public tornado shelters here, and the city recommends sheltering in place.
