Jamil’s Steakhouse in Oklahoma City marks its 60th year

Jamil's Steakhouse in Oklahoma City, located on Route 66 just north of the Oklahoma Capitol, is marking its 60th year this year. Jamil's is one of the last few surviving Lebanese steakhouses in Oklahoma. Many Lebanese immigrated to the Sooner State during its oil boom days of the 1920s and brought their cuisine with them. … Continue reading Jamil’s Steakhouse in Oklahoma City marks its 60th year

Three people linked to Swadley’s Bar-B-Q indicted on felony fraud charges

Three people associated with the Oklahoma-based Swadley's Bar-B-Q chain, including the owner, were indicted by a multicounty grand jury on fraud charges over its operation of restaurants at state parks. According to The Oklahoman newspaper, restaurant owner Brent Swadley and two other company officers were charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the state … Continue reading Three people linked to Swadley’s Bar-B-Q indicted on felony fraud charges

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in OKC plans an immersive exhibit

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City is planning an immersive exhibit that will take visitors on a virtual journey through the West. The Tulsa World reported the museum is partnering with Lighthouse Immersive, the company behind the "Immersive Van Gogh" in Oklahoma City last year. The exhibit, which will be located … Continue reading National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in OKC plans an immersive exhibit

Donnay Building in OKC soon will begin reconstruction, be renamed Classen Circle

The historic Donnay Building in Oklahoma City soon will undergo extensive renovations and will be renamed Classen Circle as a nod to its historic, Route 66-aligned history. NIck Preftakes and partner Caleb Hill bought the building for $1.5 million last year. The Donnay, originally built in 1949, was added on to over the years in … Continue reading Donnay Building in OKC soon will begin reconstruction, be renamed Classen Circle

Three entities involved in Route 66 groups or towns win grants from National Trust fund

Three entities, including one dedicated to preserving the endangered Gasconade River Bridge in Missouri, recently received grants from the National Trust Preservation Fund. More about the bridge award from the National Trust's news release: The Route 66 Association of Missouri, Inc. was awarded $5,000 from the Kansas and Missouri Preservation Fund to hire an engineering … Continue reading Three entities involved in Route 66 groups or towns win grants from National Trust fund

Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City has hosted a lot more than just prep football

The nearly 90-year-old Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City remains a big focal point for high school football in that region. The red-stone facade of Taft Stadium, aka Energy FC Field, sits at 2501 N. May Ave. (aka Route 66) and was a Works Progress Administration project during the Great Depression era. It plays host to … Continue reading Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City has hosted a lot more than just prep football

Feds award $1M grant to improve Route 66’s bicycle safety from Edmond to Arcadia

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration announced last week it was giving a $1 million grant to boost bicycle safety along a short stretch of Route 66 from Edmond to Arcadia, Oklahoma. It was part of $21.8 million in grants for 33 National Scenic Byways Program projects, according to a news release from … Continue reading Feds award $1M grant to improve Route 66’s bicycle safety from Edmond to Arcadia

Local developer wants to restore the former site of County Line Barbecue in Oklahoma City

A local developer with experience in reviving old buildings has purchased the former County Line Barbecue site, also known for years as the Oklahoma Prohibition-era Kentucky Club, in Oklahoma City. The site sits just off the Interstate 44 alignment of Route 66 from the 1950s to the 1980s. It also is a short distance from … Continue reading Local developer wants to restore the former site of County Line Barbecue in Oklahoma City

Staff, management shake-up hits Tower Theatre in Oklahoma City

The historic Tower Theatre along Route 66 in Oklahoma City recently saw layoffs and a big management shake-up. The Lost Ogle, an OKC-based website that has broken a number of big stories over the years, reported at least nine people at the theater were laid off, others were forced to reapply for their jobs, and … Continue reading Staff, management shake-up hits Tower Theatre in Oklahoma City

Route 66 features prominently in Oklahoma Tourism’s new “Imagine That” campaign

Oklahoma Tourism earlier in the week announced the launch of its "Imagine That" campaign where Route 66 features prominently in the mix. According to a news release, it is the first television campaign showcasing the new state branding, and it marks the first time since 2015 the agency has released a campaign of this scale … Continue reading Route 66 features prominently in Oklahoma Tourism’s new “Imagine That” campaign