Rooster Cogburn's eyepatch and hat.
The Duke's eye patch, tactfully displayed on his hat.

John Wayne's Eye Patch

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum has many Western wonders, including the eye patch John Wayne wore as one-eyed marshal Rooster Cogburn in the 1969 film, True Grit.

Also here: a full-size indoor Wild West cattle town, a rodeo arena, and supposedly the world's largest collection of barbed wire (Although the barbed wire museum in Texas may dispute that).

The museum is known for its collection of Western art. Two notable examples are a copy of "After The Ride" -- a bronze statue of B-movie cowboy (and U.S. President) Ronald Reagan in his manly rancher duds (the original is on display at California's Reagan Library) -- and the original James Earle Fraser "End of the Trail" statue, made of lumber, plaster, and chicken wire, which was found outside of San Francisco in a mud pit.

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John Wayne's Eye Patch

National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum

Address:: 1700 NE 63rd St., Oklahoma City, OK
Directions:: National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. On the north side of I-44/Route 66, one block west of exit 129.
Hours:: Daily 10-5 (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:: 405-478-2250
Admission:: Adults $12.50, Students $9.75
RA Rates:: Major Fun

Nearby Offbeat Places

American Pigeon Museum, Oklahoma City, OK - < 1 mi.

Stuffed Locally Famous Fire Horses, Oklahoma City, OK - 1 mi.

45th Infantry Division Museum - Hitler's Mirror, Oklahoma City, OK - 2 mi.

In the region:

Paul McCartney Visits Route 66, Arcadia, OK - 14 mi.

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