A mural that will portray the history of Chelsea, Oklahoma, will be painted on the pedestrian tunnel that goes under Route 66 in the town, reported The Daily Progress of nearby Claremore, Oklahoma.
Artist Ken Hollingshead of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, has been preparing the walls of the tunnel. It will be closed for about a month as he’s painting it. Hollingshead also has painted these artworks in Sapulpa.
The project comes from Project Chelsea, which aims to boost tourism in the town.
Dale Clark, president of the Route 66 committee, said the underpass had not been widely used in years and had been neglected.
“Thousands of people drive right through Chelsea and pass it up. We should be on the map,” Ward said.
The newspaper article claims the Chelsea landmark is the “only open pedestrian underpass in the state on U.S. 66.”
There also is a pedestrian tunnel under Admiral Place (aka Route 66) in Tulsa that, at least report, was opened on weekdays so children at nearby Sequoyah Elementary School could cross the four-lane street safely. There’s also pedestrian tunnels on Route 66 in El Reno, Oklahoma, and Sayre, Oklahoma, that appear to be open.
The tunnels hearken back to a time when U.S. 66 was so busy, tunnels were built under it so pedestrians could cross it safely.
Long-term, Project Chelsea also wants to preserve or even reconstruct historic buildings in the town, such as a railroad depot that burned down some years ago. According to the article, the depot was where cowboy singer Gene Autry was discovered during the 1920s as a telegraph operator.
Chelsea also is home to remnants of the Chelsea Motel and the 1926 Pryor Creek Bridge that once carried Route 66. Both spots are on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s also home to the Hogue House, which is believed to be the first Sears kit house built in Oklahoma, more than a century ago.
(This article has been corrected.)
(Image of the pedestrian tunnel in Chelsea, Oklahoma, by Emily Priddy)
Ron the tunnel in El Reno OK is closed the Sayre Ok tunnel is open. I can send you pictures of both tunnels if you would like.
The tunnel in Sayre is always open to the public!
Love the project. Murals are an infusion of life and history along with the art. Another example of the R66 love that flows through Oklahoma. Phyllis Grey
The most important addition the Mural Artist needs to consider regarding his work is an application of a transparent ‘cover.’ This is protection from vandals who almost always show up after a few years. By adding the ‘top transparent layer’ (you choice of material or clear paint), when the ‘undesireable additions’ are removed, the repairman will be removing the top layer and NOT the origional mural’s paints/artwork.
This additional ‘layer’ can also help strengthen the paint and prevent flake problems. I urge the readership to share this information with those in charge of mural maintence in their communities.