The National Trust for Historic Preservation has opened its second round of applications for aid from the Preserve Route 66 Legacy Business Grant Fund. The fund provides financial support to businesses to preserve historic places and spur economic development along the Route 66 corridor, with an emphasis on projects that illuminate the narratives of communities whose … Continue reading Second round of applications opens for the National Trust’s grants for Route 66 businesses
Category: Art
City of Tulsa releases final design of Cry Baby Hill statue
The City of Tulsa released a final rendering of the controversial Cry Baby Hill statue that is set to stand adjacent to Route 66. The final version shows a crying figure aboard a bicycle wearing a helmet, according to the Tulsa World and other media outlets. It's roughly similar to another revision the artist submitted … Continue reading City of Tulsa releases final design of Cry Baby Hill statue
New, history-themed mural dedicated in Baxter Springs
City leaders of Baxter Springs, Kansas, on Monday held a ceremonial ribbon-cutting to mark the completion of the enormous "The Baxter Springs Historical Mural" that features Route 66 and other touchstones of the city's past. A meet-the-artists event for the father-and-son team of A.J. and Jordan Wood also will be held from 10 a.m. to … Continue reading New, history-themed mural dedicated in Baxter Springs
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum draws nearly 10,000 monthly, makes huge economic impact
The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City commissioned an economic impact study to help justify a forthcoming $40 million capital investment campaign. It's safe to say the results from the subsequent study from RegionTrack are eye-opening, which initially was reported by The Oklahoman newspaper. Some highlights from the report: The museum drew … Continue reading National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum draws nearly 10,000 monthly, makes huge economic impact
Route 66 Christmas Tree Farm coming to Tulsa in early November
An art project called the Route 66 Christmas Tree Farm will be open to the public in early November in a long-vacant space in the Red Fork Historic District in southwest Tulsa. The space will consist of hundreds of decorated artificial Christmas trees donated since January, plus a 1951 Ford Deluxe. The project also will … Continue reading Route 66 Christmas Tree Farm coming to Tulsa in early November
Artist provides modified sculptures for Tulsa’s Cry Baby Hill
The artist who created a controversial sculpture for Tulsa's Cry Baby Hill has submitted revised concepts of his initial design. According to the Tulsa World and other area media outlets, Ken Kelleher of New Hampshire provided a more bicycle-centric look to his proposed 21-foot-tall "Cry Baby Cry" statue. The new variations show the same figure … Continue reading Artist provides modified sculptures for Tulsa’s Cry Baby Hill
Proposed 21-foot-tall statue near Tulsa’s Route 66 prompts some backlash
A proposed 21-foot-tall statue on Cry Baby Hill near Route 66 in Tulsa has sparked some backlash from residents, ranging from the figure itself to an out-of-state artist being selected for the project. The statue is set to be built before Route 66's centennial in 2026 on the hill at 815 S. Riverside Drive. That's … Continue reading Proposed 21-foot-tall statue near Tulsa’s Route 66 prompts some backlash
Big A the Texaco Giant to be installed at Gearhead Curios in Galena on Sept. 8
The specially commissioned, nearly 20-foot-tall "Big A the Texaco Giant" will be installed at Gearhead Curios in Galena, Kansas, at 1 p.m. on Sept. 8. ReGiant, specializing in working on Muffler Men, will install the former Texaco station at 520 S. Main St. (Route 66). Enchanted Castle Studios made the figure itself. It has fabricated … Continue reading Big A the Texaco Giant to be installed at Gearhead Curios in Galena on Sept. 8
Train added to Red Oak II complex near Carthage
Fulfilling the dreams of its late founder, a small train recently was added near the replica railroad depot at the famed Red Oak II complex near Carthage, Missouri. According to the Joplin Globe, Larry Sernyk, who owns several buildings in Red Oak II and also lives there, worked with a crew to install the train … Continue reading Train added to Red Oak II complex near Carthage
Jerry McClanahan, the late Bunny Neff inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame
Longtime Route 66 artist and researcher Jerry McClanahan of Chandler, Oklahoma, was inducted Saturday into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton. The other inductee was the late Jeannette “Bunny” Neff of Sayre, Oklahoma, who advocated for Route 66 in the western part of the state for … Continue reading Jerry McClanahan, the late Bunny Neff inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame