Bob “Crocodile” Lile, president of the Texas Old Route 66 Association, reported that a severe storm blew down the historic “Rattlesnakes — Exit Now” sign which stood for decades off old Route 66 near the Lela exit of Interstate 40.
The sign advertised the Regal Reptile Ranch, which has been in ruins for many years except for the sign itself.
The Mock Turtle Press site about Texas Route 66 had this to say about the reptile ranch’s history:
Curiously, the Lela area also marks the last stand of roadside reptile exhibitor E. Mike Allred. The surly carnival man — who at one time operated snake attractions along Route 66 near Elk City and Erick, Oklahoma — moved to Texas to establish the Regal Reptile Ranch at Alanreed. He partnered in this scaly enterprise with his sister, Addie. But when business relations grew rough, E. Mike moved his share of snakes toward Lela and set up shop in the old service station that had once been graced by Conald Cunningham’s Neon Steer.
Today, E. Mike’s towering RATTLESNAKES: EXIT NOW sign survives as a local landmark. E. Mike’s old building has been moved to McLean and now serves as part of the Red River Steakhouse. E. Mike himself can best be honored through a visit to the Devil’s Rope Museum of McLean, Texas — where some of his sister’s pickled snakes remain on display.
Lile says Delbert and Ruth Trew, longtime Route 66 supporters, are talking with the landowner to see whether the sign can be salvaged.
(Photo by Emily Priddy.)
Don’t just “salvage” the Rattlesnale sign — put it back in place where it has stood all these many years. The sign needs to remain right there as a reminder of what used to be.
Cheers,
Michael Wallis
Nooooooooooo! That was my favorite thing in Texas and I’m just a few days away from going there and seeing it again. Yes, by all means, put it back up. I can still hear my uncle, circa 1968, urging me forward to look into a pit of “baby rattlers” at one of those places. Isn’t there also a concrete snake from the Regal preserved in McLean?
In its last incarnation – the split-off from the Regal Reptile Ranch – what was Allred’s name for this reptile attraction near Lela (the one to which this sign belonged)?
I too agree that the sign should be resurrected or re-erected as it was & in the same spot. It’s a landmark & a treasured one. I have a very foggy but heartfelt memory of walkin’ thru the dirt parkin’ lot holdin’ my Pop’s hand on the way to something “magical”. The sign was all we had left to conjour up those feelings. Thank you to anyone who can make us feel that way again!!! PL Black
PS Thank you to Michael Wallis, Bob Waldmire, Bill Shea (Springfield, IL), Phillip Sheldon (Devil’s Elbow, MO)…& countless others who have resparked my love for “Olde Route 66”. I can’t wait to hear the song of the road beneath my tires again!
I agree, it should be put back into the original place where it stood for years.
As of june 24th. 2013. Sign is still down. One pole is still up, but no sign of the letters.