Linda wade , owner / creator of the twister movie museum
ETOWN : TOURING NORTHWEST OKLAHOMA
Wakita Enid
How do I get there ?
Take 81 north until you reach Oklahoma 11 . Turn left on 11 and then shortly thereafter , right on 11A . Turn right on Main as you enter Wakita and take it all the way down till you come to the museum on your right .
Cultural phenomenon ’ s roots lie in a small town north of Enid
Nearly 30 years ago , the cult classic movie “ Twister ” made its premiere worldwide — becoming the second highest grossing film of 1996 . With the new stand alone sequel Twisters premiering in July , a reignited flame of excitement has found its way back to Oklahoma .
“ When Warner Brothers shot the first film in Wakita , it was a huge economic help to our community . Two years before filming , Wakita experienced a severe hail storm . It took out the harvest , and numerous buildings were left empty due to the destruction ,” said Linda Wade , owner and creator of the Twister Movie Museum located on Main Street in Wakita . “ Our little city needed so much healing , and
The entrance to the Wakita Twister Museum is shown recently .
Photo by BILLY HEFTON
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By April Morrow-Pearson
we just didn ’ t have the funds to do it . Then filming came along , and they took all of these dilapidated buildings , used them for scenes , tore them down , and provided cleanup . We ’ re talking somewhere around $ 100,000 of work that we desperately needed .”
Wakita , a town harboring only around 300 individuals , found the experience to be thrilling .
“ They filmed from about April-August of 1994 . Basically the entire town would come out and tailgate just like you would a game . The streets would be lined with cars with people watching the filming . It took them about two months to build , and two months to film ,” Wade said , about her experience .
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You know , i was looking to retire , but then they went and made another film .”
Linda wade , owner / creator of the twister movie museum
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