Restored neon sign installed at Rock Cafe in Stroud

The historic neon sign at the Rock Cafe in Stroud, Oklahoma, has a new glow after it was restored with a grant from the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission with the aid of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association. The sign dates to the 1940s and was re-installed a few days ago. https://youtu.be/M0OXCTtSGV0 And Rich Dinkela, president … Continue reading Restored neon sign installed at Rock Cafe in Stroud

Grant for Kendall Whittier neighborhood in Tulsa includes making a neon Route 66 shield

The Kendall Whittier neighborhood in Tulsa will receive a $130,000 grant from the state's Main Street program to create a neon Route 66 shield and other neon accents. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce announced the grants earlier this month. Nearby Sapulpa also received one. The Tulsa World reported on the Kendall-Whittier award: The Kendall Whittier Main … Continue reading Grant for Kendall Whittier neighborhood in Tulsa includes making a neon Route 66 shield

Forthcoming “Welcome to Tulsa” signs contain a subtle nod to Route 66

The Tulsa Planning Commission recently released renderings of signs the city plans to place in several areas before Route 66's centennial in 2026, including the largest that contain a subtle reference to the highway. The signs incorporate the city's flag design, but that's not all, according to the commission: The largest concept (Gateway Triangle) features … Continue reading Forthcoming “Welcome to Tulsa” signs contain a subtle nod to Route 66

Missouri Route 66 Association acquires historic signs for future neon park

The Route 66 Association of Missouri announced Thursday it had acquired four neon signs -- including from the Ozark Court and La Casa Grande Motel -- for a future neon park development. Rich Dinkela, president of the association, bought the signs for $44,400 from the estate of St. Louis-area sign collector Greg Rhomberg so they … Continue reading Missouri Route 66 Association acquires historic signs for future neon park

Retro diner going into former Sonrise Donuts building in Springfield

After being a Mexican restaurant for years, the former Sonrise Donuts building along Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, will be transformed into a retro diner called The Fountain on 66. The Springfield State Journal-Register (subscription required) reports that Tom Hart signed a lease effective Jan. 1 to take over the building, Hart will have to … Continue reading Retro diner going into former Sonrise Donuts building in Springfield

Ida Red General Store in Tulsa is selling a Route 66 snow globe

Ida Red General Store, specializing in Oklahoma-made gifts, is selling a handpainted, Route 66-themed snow globe featuring several Route 66 landmarks in the Sooner State. Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association who helped get clearances for the creation, showed the snow globe in a video: The landmarks I spotted in the snow … Continue reading Ida Red General Store in Tulsa is selling a Route 66 snow globe

New Oklahoma Route 66 centennial monument unveiled in Oklahoma City

A new Oklahoma Route 66 centennial monument was installed last week in Oklahoma City along Northwest 23rd Street, a prominent alignment of Route 66 in the city. Mayor David Holt stated in several posts on social media that the sign is one of several that will be installed in the city. The new sign is … Continue reading New Oklahoma Route 66 centennial monument unveiled in Oklahoma City

Grant helps give a retro-styled sign for Old Tascosa Brewing Co. in Amarillo

Thanks to a Business Improvement Grant, or BIG, from the City of Amarillo, Texas, the Old Tascosa Brewing Co. recently installed a retro-styled sign in front of its brewery. The sign doesn't have neon, but the chasing lights and big arrow hearken to another era. The Old Tascosa Brewing Co. sits in the middle of … Continue reading Grant helps give a retro-styled sign for Old Tascosa Brewing Co. in Amarillo

Relighting ceremony held for former Saratoga Motor Inn sign in Tulsa

The Wings of Freedom sober-living organization held a relighting ceremony Friday night for the repurposed, 66-foot-tall neon sign at the former Saratoga Motor Inn in Tulsa. Ken Busby of the Route 66 Alliance in Tulsa was there to capture the moment in video: Red Fork Depot in Tulsa also posted this image: More from Cloudless … Continue reading Relighting ceremony held for former Saratoga Motor Inn sign in Tulsa

Claremore unveils its Route 66 Centennial marker

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 … Continue reading Claremore unveils its Route 66 Centennial marker