A Library of Soda Pop
Pointed elbows and lowered hat bills greet soda pop aficionados at Arcadia Oklahoma’s POPS Soda Ranch on Route 66. While 2 glass floor-to-ceiling walls of the colorful bottles tempt you to pluck and run in order to escape the furor of the refrigerated section at the back, the library shelves are merely for perusal; the bottles are glued-down samples.
On any given day you can vie for over 500 flavors of soda pop imported from all over the world. Take one and ask for a straw on the spot, or load up the 6-pack containers for a picnic later. Or for gifts. Or to create your own soda pop library – one of my quests in life.
If you get inside and decide you need something for your exotic, imported soda pop to wash down, you’re in luck. The grill is open from 10:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and offers nostalgic choices such as an old fashioned cheeseburger basket, grilled cheese sandwich, or a substantial chicken fried steak. Sit at the stainless steel counter for a real blast from the past.
See those 6 packs lined up? Yep, they’re all mine.
Go at night and be greeted by the 66 foot tall pop bottle sculpture complete with a giant straw. Lit by colorful LED lights pulsing through the structure, it’s the perfect prelude to what you’ll find inside.
Located 15 miles west of the Wellston exit off the Turner Turnpike on Rt. 66, you can’t miss the small shop. A white, steel cantilevered canopy extends 100 feet over the gas tanks. It’s unsupported (by design) so there’s no need to worry about side-swiping the posts.
And you don’t have to be a soda pop aficionado to enjoy POPS. Gawkers are welcome too.
For more fun travel and taste bud ideas, check out Wanderfood Wednesdays at Wanderlust & Lipstick.
A beautiful Oklahoma sunset provided the backdrop for my much needed 3 hour road trip this past weekend.
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About SRT... I’m a traveler, writer and photographer for whom the open road frequently summons. Adventurous solo road trips are a staple for me, and a curiosity. So I created this website to share them and inspire you to step out and give them a try. Welcome! 
Blaine, I have several bottles of Big Red in the fridge from my last trip to POPS. I can’t say I love it as I did as a kid, but I still LOVE the idea of it.
Comment by Tammie Dooley — January 3, 2011 @ 8:54 pm
Wow, forgot about drinking Big Red while growing up in Texas. Looks like a great place.
Comment by Blaine — January 2, 2011 @ 11:57 pm
That place looks so neat. I’ve been wanting to visit there but haven’t gotten around to it yet, thanks for letting me visit vicariously!
Comment by Steven — August 20, 2009 @ 10:19 am
American culture done well. Not many things bring the word ‘unique’ to mind. This place certainly does. I agree with Jen; the colours are quite nice. Nice perspective in the picture of the library.
Comment by JJ — August 19, 2009 @ 2:42 pm
I’ve never been to this spot but I can just imagine my 5 boys grabbing those bottles, except they wouldn’t understand why they are glued down! Next trip to Oklahoma, includes a stop at this spot. Can’t wait!
James
Comment by james — August 15, 2009 @ 6:31 am
Who knew? This is a great find, Tammie!
Comment by Wanderluster — August 13, 2009 @ 7:23 pm
And, BTW, for everyone planning a pilgrimage to OK to see it–there’s also a swell little museum, The Toy & Action Figure Museum in nearby-ish Paul’s Valley, OK.
Comment by Sophia — August 13, 2009 @ 12:51 pm
I LOVE this place. And did you visit the round barn nearby?
Comment by Sophia — August 13, 2009 @ 12:49 pm
Wow, love the colours!! Sweet, sweet soda!!!
Comment by jen laceda — August 12, 2009 @ 8:21 pm
What are they going to think of next! Now that’s a lot of soda:)
Comment by marina k. villatoro — August 12, 2009 @ 6:55 pm
How funny, I was just thinking I need to fly to Oklahoma to go see this. I’m a soda junky! Great pics!
Comment by Sherri — August 12, 2009 @ 2:46 pm
That looks amazing, I’ve never seen a temple to soda before! Does it sell Fentimans? That’s my favourite British brand of fizzy drink.
Comment by Victoria — August 12, 2009 @ 2:19 pm
This is brilliant. I’ve already forwarded this to some friends, and a road trip is in the works.
Comment by one.year.trip — August 12, 2009 @ 1:06 pm
What a cool place! My family will probably camp out there and spend a whole day and night exploring this place.
Comment by Amy @ The Q Family — August 12, 2009 @ 9:52 am
Amazing! Never heard of it…so many interesting places so near if we just knew where to look….like you do! If it’s on Rt.66…gotta be good!
Comment by Clay Mama — August 11, 2009 @ 8:15 pm
Soda pop, hamburgers, and Rt.66…this is Americana at it’s best. The perfect topic heading into the homestretch of summer. Great work as always !!
Comment by MTN BUM — August 11, 2009 @ 8:06 pm
Mmm…Mmmm. Looks good. Is good too! Been there myself on old Route 66. Bet the Dust Bowl travelers would have loved to stop for a treat. Try the burger or the chicken fry. Excellent. You do know how to live on the road.
Comment by Pops — August 11, 2009 @ 6:04 pm