Andy Payne Statue in Foyil Refreshed
Foyil, OK – The Oklahoma Route 66 Association is proud to announce a joint project with the Cherokee Nation and the Town of Foyil. The statue of Andy Payne that stands between the original alignment of US Highway 66 and modern OK-66 in Foyil was refreshed on Sunday, July 17th with a deep clean and polish.
The bronze sculpture of Andy was created by artist John Free of Pawhuska and unveiled in 1992. The statue in Foyil was dedicated in 1998 but the Town of Foyil isn’t sure when the statue last had a thorough wax and polish.
Andy Payne was only 20 years old when he entered the 1928 Trans-American Footrace, which became known as the Bunion Derby. Andy, a Cherokee farm boy with no formal training, laced up his shoes next to nearly 300 other runners from around the world. Some were record-holders and others had even competed in the Olympics. When the starting bomb went off in Los Angeles, the runners took off down the newly designated Highway 66 towards Chicago and then on to New York, a journey of over 3,400 miles.
Nobody thought Andy had a chance of winning. In fact, he came down with a fever in Arizona and many thought he would have to withdraw. But he persevered and by the time he crossed the Oklahoma border, he was in the lead. Throughout the state, he was greeted with large crowds as town businesses closed and schools let out early. Even Will Rogers greeted the young man when he came through Claremore.
By the time Andy made it back to his hometown, less than 100 men remained in the race. That reduced by half by the time the weary runners arrived at Madison Square Garden – with Andy Payne firmly in the lead. He was hailed as a national hero and won a purse of $25,000 – which he used to pay off the mortgage on the family farm. Andy retired from running after that but served as Clerk of the Oklahoma Supreme Court for 38 years.
“Andy Payne was an ordinary citizen that saw an opportunity to make life better for his family,” said Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin. “And he performed an extraordinary feat against great odds. His story is one of possibility; we are all capable of great things.”
The flames open up the pores in the bronze to aid in a good application of wax
Thanks to a generous donation from the Cherokee Nation, the statue that commemorates Andy Payne on Route 66 looks like new. NLS Studios of Ada, Oklahoma has experience in bronze statue maintenance with the Oklahoma Arts Council and the Chickasaw Nation and were excited to be a part of this project.
“I am thrilled to partner with the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and the Town of Foyil to preserve and protect the beautiful statue of Andy Payne,” said Cherokee Nation Councilor Keith Austin. “The Andy Payne story and the Route 66 story are truly one and the same.”
Taloa Underwood and Jesse Allbritten of NLS Studios
As travelers from around the world experience the unique American journey that is Route 66, the monument to this young runner will encourage them to stop in Foyil and learn more about this remarkable Oklahoma citizen.
