Andrew Hartley Payne - Park Hill, OK
Posted by: 
hamquilter
N 35° 52.014 W 094° 57.358
15S E 323406 N 3970952
Andy Payne (1907-1977) was a young Cherokee who ran in a cross country race to promote the new Route 66, in 1928.
Waymark Code: WMP9K2
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 07/25/2015
Views: 3
On the hall of fame plaza in front of the Cherokee Heritage Center is a plaque and sculpture commemorating Andy Payne, a Cherokee who became well known because of the race he won, but also as clerk to the Oklahoma Supreme Court for many years.
The sculpture by a western sculptor and animal painter, John D. Free, shows Payne in running shorts and tank top, doing what he loves most - running. The bronze plaque at his feet reads:
"Andrew Hartley Payne, winner of the 1928 "Great Transcontinental Foot-Race" that began in Los Angeles 3/4/28 and ended in New York City 5/26/28.
"Raised on a farm near Foyil and of Cherokee ancestry, 20 yr. old Andy conquered the 3,422.3 miles in the elapsed time of 573 hrs. 4 min. 34 sec. and won the $25,000 1st place prize.
"One of Oklahoma's favorite sons, Andy served in the military, obtained a law degree from Oklahoma City University and served for decades as Clerk of the Oklahoma Supreme Court."
For a detailed story of this remarkable man, (
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