Why’d they name it that?

The Daily Oklahoman has a list of bridges, roads, buildings and other things that were named after prominent Sooners. Here’s the ones that are relevant to Route 66:

Interstate-40 Business — “Roger Miller Memorial Highway” — 1994: Between State Highway 30 in Erick and I-40 (Exit 11). Miller was a singer and songwriter. [Editor’s note: This stretch is part of old Route 66.]

U.S. 69 — “Jean Pierre Chouteau Highway” — 1947: Across Oklahoma. Chouteau was founder of the first permanent white settlement in Oklahoma, in 1796, located at the present town of Salina. [U.S. 69 follows old 66 from the Kansas state line to Vinita.]

SH 66 — “Admiral Joe ‘Jocko’ Clark Trailways” — 1984: Between Bushyhead and White Oak, Rogers and Craig counties. Clark was a military hero in World War II and the highest ranking officer of Indian ancestry in the history of the United States armed forces. He is a member of the Cherokee Hall of Fame.

SH 66 — “Clem McSpadden Highway” — 1985: Between Claremore and Bushy-head. McSpadden, shown at right, was a rancher, state senator 1955 to 1964 and 1965 to 1972, then U.S. representative 1973 and 1974.

Hedlund Motor Company Building, Elk City. Built in 1918 and home for the dealership.

McDougal Filling Station. East of Vinita. Built around 1940 by Grace and George McDougal as a gas station along the famous Route 66.

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