Car Wars: Excerpts from the AADA Guide: Ballard, OK

The AADA Guide to Ballard, OK

Population: 250 – 300 (estimated)

Description: Ballard used to be one of the quaint roadside stopping points when Route 66 was still the Mother Road.  It suffered some when I44 went through and bypassed the town.  Though the town was given a tolled-exit due to the fact it was the county seat and the many oil fields in the vicinity.  After the second Civil War the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority decided to keep the exit but barricaded it to discourage folks from trying to access the nearby oil fields.

The town would all but be forgotten if not for the late 90s cable TV show “Ghost Plumbers.”  The Motel Monte Vista has always been listed as one of Oklahoma’s most haunted destinations and a “Must See” on old Route 66.

The “Ghost Plumbers” [Two plumbers and their team of Ghost Hunters stay overnight and try to record any evidence of supernatural activity.  While they are there, they fix the plumbing as well.] visited the motel and filmed for an episode.  The cast and crew had so many experiences that the cable channel turned the episode into a two-parter.  Disembodied voices, strange levitating objects and what is purported to be the first ever video evidence of a “ghost” were all caught and filmed.  The host of the show labeled the motel as The Most Haunted place they had ever investigated.  During filming one member of the crew vanished and was never seen again (the plumbers gave her a touching eulogy at the end of the episode).  Needless to say, believers still think the place is one of the most haunted in Oklahoma.  Even yet today, ghost hunters brave the hazardous journey on Route 66 to travel to Ballard and stay at the Monte Vista.

The Vasquez family (owners of the motel) is VERY proud of their 15 minutes of fame and photographs of the production as well as an autographed picture of the “Ghost Plumbers” stars mugging for the camera with the then family members decorate the lobby.  The still functioning neon sign proudly proclaims the motel to be The HAUNTED Motel Monte Vista as seen on “Ghost Plumbers.”

Travelers are advised caution if attempting to visit The Motel Monte Vista.  The last AADA Guidebook team that visited the facility lost one member of the team.  The team member vanished without a trace in the middle of the night.  His luggage and gear were found the next morning in his room.  Although the Vasquez family blamed the “ghost”, and the remainder of the team reported some unexplained happenings (including this photo taken by our staff photographer)

 the AADA editorial staff will neither confirm nor deny the existence of ghosts.
Disappearances of travelers to Ballard HAS been confirmed by Oklahoma authorities,
the existence of the paranormal has not.

Dueling Facilities: Although no dueling was seen when our team was in town, it was quite evident that the old school’s baseball field was used as an ad-hoc arena by the locals.

Other Facilities: Justin & Lauren’s 24 Hour Stop and Shop Recharge and Fueling Station has gasoline and diesel as well as recharging stations.  Their prices are the cheapest we’ve found anywhere in Oklahoma.  Maxine’s Cantina is obviously open for business though the biker presence on the street discouraged our team from going inside.  The general store, gun dealer and towing company still appear to be operational.  There was a small office in town with a hospital cross out front.

Sites of Interest: The aforementioned Motel Monte Vista still proclaims itself to be The HAUNTED Motel Monte Vista as seen on “Ghost Plumbers.”  There is also an abandoned BNSF depot by the railroad tracks with an old caboose and sleeper car.  There are no less than three heavily fortified bunkers that correspond to the old CoOp, a nearby oil field, and an old trucking company.

Gang Activity:  Though no gang ACTIVITY was witnessed while our team was in town, there are rumors and confirmed reports that Monty’s Marauders have operated on nearby I44 and up and down Route 66.  The bikers witnessed in town were wearing Marauder insignia. Analysis of verified gang attacks along I-44 and Rt. 66, places Ballard at the center of Marauder activities. Route 66 between New Tulsa and Oklahoma City has verified heavy gang (Marauder and others) activity. Caution is advised and travel on Route 66 is not recommended. I44 (though expensive) is the safer route. Though please be sure to get off I44 at an open exit, the Ballard exit has been barricaded by the ODOT and is unusable.

Ballard, OK is mapped out on a 12 map layout for Car Wars 2nd Edition. Each .pdf and map description is available: Map #1, Map #2, Map #3, Map #4, Map #5, Map #6, Map #7, Map #8, Map #9, Map #10, Map #11, Map #12

Bonus Maps of the I44 interchange are available here.

Vehicle counters for Ballard are also available
vehicles from Map 1, Map 2, Map 3, Map 4, Map 5, Map 6, Map 7, Map 8, Map 9, Maps 10, 11, & 12
Ballard Map 1 – (includes the Fed-Up car bomb)
Ballard Map 2 – (just vehicle counters that look like their stats)
Ballard Map 3 – (includes Lawn Mauler counters and the collapsed communications tower)
Ballard Map 4 – (includes EXTREME Flame Thrower fire and some fork lifts)
Ballard Map 5 – (includes a ’57 Chevy Bel Air)
Ballard Map 6 – (includes the Killer RV, the “Impossible” Cycle, Fire Trucks, Tow Trucks, and 2 Corvettes[Not stated out])
Ballard Map 7 – (includes some very iconic movie and TV cars [Not statted out])
Ballard Map 8 – (includes dust clouds, sheep, chicken and collie counters)
Ballard Map 9 – (includes the water tower and a fully statted out Aston Martin)
Ballard Maps 10-12 (includes the counters for Crazy Mary and her crew)

Did you like this map? Consider sending a couple of bucks to @AlienGraphics via PayPal

Alien Graphics also offers full-sized 21″x32″ printouts of this map (and all others) Contact us for info on prices and shipping.

*PLEASE NOTE* This supplemental information was written for Car Wars 1st – 4th Edition rules and game play.  It is compatible with Car Wars 6th Edition by adding 35 years to the future history.

The map of Ballard is laid out on 12 21″x32″ maps at 1″ = 15′ 1st- 4th edition scale. All maps are currently available.

Please contact us in the comments if you are interested in a full print run of Ballard.

All maps designed by Alien Graphics.

*End Note*