The City of Claremore, Oklahoma, and the state’s Route 66 Centennial Commission on Monday unveiled the second Route 66 centennial marker in the Sooner State.
Here’s what it looks like:
Monday also happened to be the anniversary of when U.S. 66 was federally certified in 1926.
According to KJRH-TV in Tulsa, the first centennial marker was unveiled at Lucille’s Roadhouse restaurant in Weatherford.
But Claremore’s marker is the first in the northeast part of the state and would be the first one encountered for traditionally westbound Route 66 travelers.
Will Rogers’ great-granddaughter, Jennifer, made sure to witness Monday’s unveiling just after moving back from California.
“This is awesome. I’m coming by tonight to see it lit up,” Rogers said. “But this is so great to have it in Claremore and to really kick it off. Hopefully, someday, we will see these across the United States, all the way to Santa Monica.”
“In 1952, Route 66 was rededicated as the Will Rogers Memorial Highway,” Rogers added. “So we’re really excited for all this happening in Claremore.”
The Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission and Bancfirst hired a local artist for the marker, which also pays homage to Claremore’s history as a military convoy stop.
According to the Claremore Daily Progress, the centennial marker stands 16 feet tall and lights up at night.
The Claremore marker unveiling took place at the J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum, 330 N. J.M. Davis Blvd.
According to More Claremore, each monument is fitted with a QR code that links visitors to historical insights and tourism information for that location.
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