Construction has started on a park on the west side of the historic 11th Street Bridge in Tulsa that will include a re-creation of three neon signs from long-gone Route 66 businesses.
The Tulsa Route 66 Commission announced in mid-2016 it would install three re-created neon signs in Tulsa that were lost or destroyed after Route 66 was decommissioned — the Will Rogers Motor Court, Tulsa Auto Court, and Oil Capital Motel.
The commission announced the start of construction on the project in a Facebook post last week. See it below:
In a comment thread with the Facebook post, the commission stated it anticipates the project will be finished by late summer.
The project will be funded with Vision 2025 sales-tax funds that were approved by voters in 2003. It is the last remaining Vision 2025 project for Route 66 in Tulsa County. In addition to the signs, the small park will include interpretive panels and greenery.
The plan for the neon park came from a January 2017 open forum. The neon-sign park was the most popular idea from residents at the meeting, followed by a water-wall park showing the history of Route 66, overlook for the 11th Street Bridge, and parking.
(Conceptual image of the proposed neon-sign park by the Route 66 Commission of Tulsa via Facebook)
This is great! Definitely worth a day trip from KC to see them lit. I’m just a little confused on how to get to them. When a relighting date is set, publishing an online map would be a big help!
Just saw an original Ann’s Bakery neon sign listed on Facebook marketplace…
They’re asking $3500.00
Seller’s name is Scott Dean
Thought it might be a nice addition to the park!