These buffalo heads are mounted inside the lobboy of the Cherokee Restaurant on I-40 west of Oklahoma City. The Cherokee Restaurant serves buffalo burgers and other dishes made out of the extra lean meat. The Cherokee Restaurant on I-40 between Weatherford and Clinton has live buffalos in a pen near the restaurant. There are several locations in Oklahoma where live buffalo can be seen roaming in the pastures.
Oklahoma designated the buffalo as official state animal 1972. A bull buffalo can weigh over 1800 pounds and stand 6 foot tall at the shoulder. Buffalo once roamed the American prairie by the tens of millions and provided a way of life for the plains Indians. But European settlers hunted buffalo to the brink of extinction - it's estimated that between 300 - 500 animals remained when the federal government passed stricter game laws in 1889.
The buffalo is an inseparable part of American history; no other wild animal has played such a significant role in human affairs. The tribes of the American plains relied on bison for food, shelter, clothing, and as a powerful spiritual symbol.
I always want to stop there on our way to Carnegie, but we never do. My kids and husband always talk me into stopping at the Love's for pizza.
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