Most bookstores keep their shelves in one big room, but one shop in Claremore had other plans. It moved into a real boarding house that is about a century old and gave each book genre a room of its own.
There is a claw foot tub stuffed with books, a staircase covered in book titles, and an upstairs that surprises almost everyone who climbs it. Used books sell at friendly prices, new releases can be ordered, and the owner knows plenty about the building and local history.
Claremore sits an easy drive from Tulsa, which makes this a simple weekend outing for families and readers of every age. Keep reading to learn where it is, what waits on each floor, how the trade-in credit works, and when to plan your visit so the doors are open when you arrive.
1. A Bookshop on Will Rogers Boulevard
Claremore has no shortage of hometown pride, and Boarding House Books is a big part of it. The shop sits at 300 W Will Rogers Blvd, Claremore, OK 74017, in northeastern Oklahoma.
It is a locally owned book store, not a chain. The shelves hold both new and used books for all ages.
The building itself is the first clue that this stop is different. It is an older structure on one of the town’s main streets, and it really was a boarding house long before it held paperbacks.
Claremore is known as a Route 66 town, so a trip here pairs nicely with other stops along the old highway. For many Tulsa-area families, the drive is short enough to fit into a lazy Saturday.
The store holds a 4.7-star standing from more than a hundred local opinions, which says a lot for a small-town shop. People return again and again, and many bring their kids along.
What makes it worth the trip is not just the stock. It is the way the old house has been put to work, room by room, for readers who like a little adventure with their shopping.
The front door is only the beginning.
2. Roughly a Century of Boarders and Books
Long before anyone browsed mysteries here, people rented rooms under this roof. The building is about 100 years old, and it still carries the layout of its boarding house days.
That history is not hidden away. The owner is known as a font of knowledge about the building, the books, and Claremore’s local past.
So a quick question at the counter can turn into a mini history lesson. History fans often say this is a must-stop for exactly that reason.
The decor leans into the old story too. Rooms are styled the way a boarding house might have looked, which helps the place feel like a time capsule rather than a modern store.
Wood floors, small rooms, and an old staircase remain part of the experience. Many people describe the whole space as feeling like an old library tucked inside a home.
For Oklahoma kids who think history only lives in textbooks, this is a gentle way to show them otherwise. The past here comes with a reading list attached.
3. One Genre, One Room
Here is the clever part that gives the shop its fame. Genres each get their own dedicated room, so the old bedrooms now act as neighborhoods for different kinds of stories.
That setup makes the store easy to navigate and honestly fun. Shoppers can wander from one room to the next instead of scanning one endless wall.
The selection is often called huge, and the room system keeps it from feeling overwhelming. Books are nicely categorized into sections, especially on the used side.
Families like this a lot. One parent shared that all three of her kids found something they wanted, since every genre had plenty of choices.
The arrangement also rewards slow browsing. Little nooks and corners hide extra books, so a second look around a room can turn up something missed the first time.
Plan on an hour or two if you like to explore. A quick dash rarely does the place justice, and that is part of the charm.
4. The Staircase Everyone Talks About
Some stairs just get you to the next floor. These get photographed.
The staircase is decorated with book titles, turning each step into a little reading suggestion. People call it unique, and more than one shopper said it was the coolest part of the visit.
It is also the gateway to most of the stock. A big share of the books live up that flight, so climbing it is part of the deal.
Kids tend to love reading the titles on the way up. Grown-ups often pause too, trying to see how many of the books they have already read.
A quick heads-up for planning: the upstairs location can be hard for anyone who has trouble with stairs. Staff are known for being helpful, so asking for a hand with finding a title is a smart move.
Bring your phone with plenty of storage. This spot ends up in a lot of camera rolls.
5. Books in the Bathtub
Not every bookstore keeps a claw foot tub. Fewer still fill it with books instead of water.
The tub is one of the store’s best-known decorations and fits the old boarding house theme. It is the kind of detail that makes kids stop in their tracks and grown-ups laugh.
Call it a soak in good reading, minus the wrinkly fingers. It is a playful reminder that this shop does not take itself too seriously.
Along with the staircase, the bathtub is one of several photo ops scattered through the building. Shoppers often mention the fun atmosphere these touches create.
Small decorations like this are why the place feels more like an adventure than an errand. Each room seems to hold its own surprise.
So keep your eyes open as you browse. The quirky bits are part of the story this old house tells.
6. Upstairs Surprises and Sunny Chairs
Plenty of first-timers expect a small shop. Then they head upstairs.
The second floor surprises people again and again. It holds many rooms full of books, and that is where all of the used books are kept.
The ambience up here gets a lot of love. There are sunny reading chairs and well set up rooms, which make it easy to sit with a possible purchase before deciding.
The view from the second floor is another bonus that shoppers like to point out. It offers a look over Claremore’s street below.
Hidden nooks and crannies add to the feeling of a treasure hunt. Some people say it seems like stepping toward Narnia.
Give yourself time on this level. Rushing through the top floor would be like skipping the best chapter.
7. Trade-In Credit and Fair Prices
Got crowded shelves at home? The store has a book buy-back program that turns old reads into store credit.
One shopper brought in two sacks of books and walked away with more than $30 in credit. That is a nice boost for a family that reads fast.
There is a catch worth knowing before you load the car. The credit can only cover half of a used book purchase, and it does not apply to new books.
Most regulars see that as a fair trade, though not everyone loves the rule. Knowing it ahead of time keeps the visit smooth.
Prices on used books are widely called reasonable. The owner has also been known to work out a deal when someone buys a full series.
For budget-minded families, that combo is hard to beat. Credit rules can change, so it is wise to ask at the counter first.
8. Special Orders and a Searchable Stock
Can’t find a certain title on the shelves? That is not the end of the hunt.
The staff will order books that are not in stock, and you pick them up once they arrive. They will even pre-order books before release day.
The store also sells new books, including the latest releases from popular authors. So it works for both bargain digging and keeping up with a favorite series.
There is a website with an inventory search feature too. Checking it before the drive can save time if you are after something specific.
Staff members are often praised for knowing what they have and exactly where it sits. The owner, Janice Whittaker, is frequently on site and quick to help newcomers.
Helpful people come up in conversations about this store more than almost anything else. Experiences can vary, but most leave feeling well looked after.
9. Who Will Love It Most
Bookworms are the obvious match, but the guest list is longer than that. History buffs, families, and anyone who likes a real book in hand all find a reason to stay.
Kids enjoy the hunt through small rooms and hidden corners. Parents appreciate that each genre has enough choices for children with very different tastes.
Couples make a habit of it too. Some describe it as their favorite shared stop.
The overall mood is often described as cozy and old-fashioned. It has that classic bookstore feel that many people miss in an age of screens.
Fans of old buildings get double the payoff. The house itself is a sight, and the owner can share its story.
One fair warning for anyone with mobility needs: most of the books are upstairs. Calling ahead or asking staff for help can make the trip easier.
10. Plan the Trip, Then Turn the Page
Timing matters, because this shop keeps steady daytime hours. It is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on Sunday.
That makes a Saturday morning drive from Tulsa or nearby towns an easy plan. Hours can change, so check before you head out.
Bring a bag of used books if you want trade-in credit. Remember it covers only part of used purchases.
Leave room in the schedule for an hour or two of browsing. The upstairs alone can swallow a good chunk of time.
So is it worth the drive? For a low-cost outing with history, quirky decor, and a genre for every reader in the car, the answer leans strongly toward yes.
Claremore already has a story to tell along Route 66. This old boarding house simply adds a few thousand more, one room at a time.
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