OKHighways.com

Highway History:
1953: OK 49 went south from the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge along current OK 115 to U.S. 62 in Cache, where the highway ended. Today, that intersection is the southern terminus of OK 115.

1959: Same as 1953

Highway Review:
OK 49 is a rather scenic and interesting state highway. It isn't even signed for part of it! The first few miles of the highway has a 55 mph speed limit, and then after two 90-degree curves, OK 49 all of a sudden loses its highway signage! That is because it enters the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge, and the speed limit falls to 45 (35 at night) as well. There are several curves on this stretch of highway, and yes it is very possible that you will see buffalo, longhorns, and other wildlife right by the highway, maybe even crossing the highway! (Personal story: The first time I went through there was in October 2002 at about 7 pm in so it was almost dark. When I entered the wildlife refuge, there were three buffalo standing right by the highway! And later, near the unsigned intersection of OK 49 and OK 115, I almost ran into a longhorn, I think, that was crossing the highway, and there were a few more right next to it! So please be aware of the wildlife when driving through there. Of course, it didn't help any that my headlights went out and I didn't quite know it yet either! :) )

Back to the highway, OK 49 heads south and turns into OK 115. OK 49 traffic must turn off to the west, but of course, the highways are unsigned, so follow the sign that says I-44 and Lawton and that is OK 49. Follow the sign that says Cache and you'll be on OK 115 South. A few miles east of OK 115, OK 49 leaves the wildlife refuge and gains its signage back. (Whew!) It skirts the southern side of Medicine Park and intersects OK 58 just east of there. The final few miles of OK 49 are just north of Fort Sill, and then at Interstate 44, OK 49 finds its eastern end after some of the most interesting 30 miles you'll ever see on an Oklahoma state highway.

Highway Information:
Distance: 30.0 miles
Counties traveled through: Kiowa, Comanche
Highway intersections: OK 54 (Mile 0.0), OK 115 (Mile 15.2), OK 115 (Mile 18.5), OK 58 (Mile 26.0), Interstate 44/U.S. 62/U.S. 277/U.S. 281 (Mile 30.0)
Highway duplexes: OK 115 (Miles 15.2-18.5, 3.3 miles)

WESTERN TERMINUS
OK 54

	"END OK 49" signage as OK 49 West comes to an end at OK 54, with another beautiful Oklahoma sunset in the background. (Photo taken 10/11/02)
	OK 54 North at OK 49 East. (Photo taken 10/11/02)
	First OK 49 East assurance shield just east of OK 54. The Wichita Mountains and the wildlife refuge are just ahead. (Photo taken 10/11/02)

OTHER HIGHWAY PICTURES

	Unsigned OK 49 East/OK 115 North at Jed Johnson Rush Lake/Holy City inside the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Neither OK 49 nor OK 115 are signed inside the refuge. (Photo taken 5/12/04)
	Unsigned OK 49 East/OK 115 North at OK 115 North. (Photo taken 5/12/04)
	OK 49 West at OK 58 North near Medicine Park. The southern OK 58 goes through just two towns, Carnegie and Hydro, along its 73 miles. (Photo taken 12/11/03)

EASTERN TERMINUS
Interstate 44/U.S. 62/U.S. 277/U.S. 281, east of Medicine Park

	"END OK 49" sign just east of Interstate 44 as OK 49 East concludes. (Photo taken 12/11/03)
	OK 49 East at Interstate 44 West. (Photo taken 12/11/03)
	OK 49 East at Interstate 44/U.S. 62 East/U.S. 277/U.S. 281 North. The "END" sign is located on the other side of this intersection. (Photo taken 12/11/03)
	OK 49 West at Interstate 44/U.S. 62 East/U.S. 277/ U.S. 281 North. Both the Interstate 44 and U.S. 277 shields are missing from the sign assembly. (Photo taken 12/11/03)
	Interstate 44/U.S. 62 West/U.S. 277/U.S. 281 South at Exit 45 - OK 49 - Medicine Park/Carnegie. Carnegie is actually located off OK 58, 31 miles north of OK 49. (Photo taken 10/11/02)