A Trip to The Lilac District in Claremore
I love a good, old-fashioned Main Street. And since we didn’t go out of town at all this fall break, I figured it would be nice to squeeze in a nice mini-adventure one afternoon. So we headed to downtown Claremore, aka The Lilac District! We were already in Owasso (for the new library’s groundbreaking ceremony!), but it still took about 30 minutes to get out to Claremore. If we’d had more time, I would’ve tried to make part of our route cover Route 66, but that wasn’t in the cards this time.
There was so much to do in just a couple of blocks! I feel like we could’ve easily spent a whole day there. Taking leisurely strolls through all of the many antique stores, grabbing a bite at the bakeries…but we were in enough of a hurry that I even forgot to step into the second bookshop! Oops! Anyway, we still managed to squeeze in some fun while there, and will just have to go back on a weekend sometime.
The Pink House
One of Claremore’s most notable eateries is The Pink House, located in the Belvidere Mansion. This lovely, 1907 building is located just a couple blocks east of the downtown area. The Mansion itself has quite the history, from its origin as a family home, to boarding house, to years of neglect. According to rchs1.org/belvidere-mansion, the Rogers County Historical Society took ownership of the building in the 1990s, and have been renovating it since. One of my favorite features was the incredible tiled floors on the ground floor, and the website confirms that those are original. So beautiful!
The Pink House is located on the ground floor of the mansion and is open for lunch, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Groups of at least ten people can reserve a tea time for the afternoon. Before or after your meal, you can tour the second and third floor of the mansion. I love all the old-fashioned decor and wallpaper.
The meal was delicious; I went for the quiche, which came with a side salad, fruit cup and house-made banana bread. Joss had a kids’ grilled chicken meal. We both enjoyed a pot of hot tea — very flavorful! His was bubble gum flavored (but not sweetened), and bright pink as well. And the prices seemed really reasonable. Find the full menu at pinkhouseofclaremore.com/lunch-menu
I’m not 100% sure if you have to make reservations for lunch, but I think it’s at least encouraged/recommended. I was glad we did because it is a very popular place, and most of the tables seemed full when we arrived. There are also gifts available for purchase, like candles, tea towels, jewelry, etc. All in all, a beautiful setting for a tasty lunch!
Gazebo Park
Between the Belvidere and the main downtown area, you’ll find Gazebo Park and the Claremore Museum of History. In addition to the eponymous gazebo, Gazebo Park has a rocket ship play structure! Just like the ones you remember from childhood, only updated and not quite as tall. Also some well established butterfly gardens, where we saw lots of gorgeous monarchs and other butterflies flitting around.
Either a monarch or a viceroy, I don’t know!
We didn’t make it inside the Museum of History, but I loved the building! Read about some of their featured exhibits highlighting notable figures from Claremore history at claremoremoh.org/exhibits
Admission is free, although they welcome donations.
The Lilac District
I was particularly glad to visit The Lilac District this month because many of the businesses lining the streets have also set up scarecrows! So there are a lot of fun photo opportunities as you walk around.
We started on the eastern end, with Boarding House Books. I couldn’t believe how big it was! You go upstairs (each step is decorated like a different book spine), and there’s a large open area and then rooms lining the hallways. Each genre has its own room, pretty much. We mostly concentrated on the children’s room. You can find both new and used books, which I always appreciate.
The other bookstore, which we missed, is called The Same Page. It is literally just two blocks or so down the street.
I think the only other store we went in was The Cranberry Merchant, which is a giant vintage/antique store. But there were several other antique stores along the block, as well as a couple of thrift stores and some intriguing gift stores. Again, next time!
Because we’d eaten at The Pink House, we didn’t need food, but there were several restaurants as well, including a couple of diners, bakeries, a Cabin Boys Brewery location, etc. Loved the window displays and paint color of at Dot’s Cafe.
I can’t get the downtownclaremore.org website to load for me, which I think used to have a directory of businesses. But you can follow @LilacDistrictOK on Facebook to learn more about the area and upcoming events.
Other things to do in Claremore
Since we’d visited the Will Rogers Memorial Museum previously, we didn’t go back this time, just due to time constraints. But that is of course a major Claremore attraction! And there’s the J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum, if you’re fascinated by vintage firearms, etc.
Upcoming Events
At the end of the month (Oct. 30, 6-9 p.m.), The Lilac District is holding a Fall Festival, with food trucks and trick or treating along Main Street.
And then every year in November, the district hosts Dickens on the Boulevard, a Victorian-themed holiday event. Think carriage rides, period-themed dancing, costume contests, shopping and more. This year’s event will take place Nov. 21 and 22, 6-9 p.m.
