Have Will, Will Travel
Flat Will says, “Howdy!” from the Oklahoma Route 66 Association headquarters in Tulsa.
Will Rogers loved to travel. He became one of the most famous people in the world in a time when transportation was evolving, something he embraced with passion. Now, you can take Will Rogers with you as you explore Route 66 and points beyond!
The Oklahoma Route 66 Association is proud to launch Flat Will, a fun and interactive way for people of all ages to honor Oklahoma’s Favorite Son and take him on new adventures, just in time for the Route 66 Centennial in 2026. Take selfies with him and post them to your favorite Social Media channels, using the #FlatWill hashtag so that people from all over the world can see where he’s been!
Rogers was a massive figure in early 20th Century pop culture. “From rodeo to radio, from vaudeville to Hollywood, and in newspapers across the country he was a familiar voice that people welcomed into their lives,” said Rhys Martin, president of the Association. “His wit and wisdom brought people together across thousands of miles, regardless of background or circumstance. Route 66 served a similar purpose, connecting communities and becoming something bigger than itself. That’s why the highway was given the nickname The Will Rogers Highway.”
Flat Will was designed by Cherokee artist Tom Farris of Norman. “Will Rogers was a proud Cherokee and embraced his culture and heritage,” Tom said. “I wanted to capture Will’s iconic look with a nod to his Cherokee roots.” Flat Will’s chaps feature seven-pointed stars down the side, which represent the traditional clans of the Cherokee Nation.
"Flat Will is a wonderful way to honor Will Rogers' legacy, have fun as you travel and support the 100th Anniversary of Route 66, a.k.a. the Will Rogers Highway," said Tad Jones, Executive Director of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum. Flat Will is available there, as well as at the Anna Mitchell Cultural Center in Vinita and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Thanks to a generous donation, these will be available for free at these locations.
Flat Will can also be ordered from the Association website for only the cost of shipping, while supplies last. “We want to get these into the hands of as many people as possible,” said Martin. “If schools or other groups are interested in getting more than a couple, please reach out to our office and we’ll see what we can do.” A black-and-white version of Will is available to color and cut out in the 2025-2026 Oklahoma Route 66 Trip Guide and can also be downloaded here for printing at home.
Jennifer Rogers, Will’s great-granddaughter, is excited to celebrate her family’s legacy along the famous highway. “In 1952, Route 66 was rededicated as the ‘Will Rogers Memorial Highway’. My great uncle, Will Jr., led a caravan of celebrities from Chicago to Santa Monica to celebrate this dedication. Some of the original Will Rogers markers from this caravan can still be found along the route!” Like Will, Jennifer loves to travel. “As we embark on the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road, I will be one of the first to take my Flat Will on an adventure from my home in Claremore, Oklahoma to visit friends and family in my native state of California. I invite you to join me!”
People can go to rogers66.com to learn more about Flat Will and request one of their very own. The Association is looking for sponsors to help fund future print runs once this initial batch is gone, which may happen sooner rather than later. “I’ve been carrying a prototype with me for weeks now, taking photos along Route 66,” Rhys Martin said. “Every time I bring him out, someone asks me where they can get one. Now, they can!”
Flat Will has been designated as Route 66 Centennial Certified. This designation was made per the Route 66 Centennial Certification Program, an Official Route 66 Centennial Activity recommended by the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission.
