The Oklahoma Route 66 Commission announced more than $6.6 million in grants, including improvements to the Blue Whale in Catoosa, a 66-foot dinosaur in Tulsa and multiple neon-sign initiatives. The grants, initially reported by the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, cover 13 Route 66-related projects in the Sooner State. More about the grants can be found … Continue reading New Oklahoma Route 66 grants go to Blue Whale improvements, giant dinosaur, neon projects
Tag: Blue Whale of Catoosa
Application window opens for Oklahoma Route 66 Grant program
The initial application period for the Oklahoma Route 66 Grant program opened Friday, making $6.6 million available to municipalities, nonprofits and government entities on Route 66. Oversight for the grants will be by the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission, comprised of Oklahoma residents who live and work on the Mother Road. The application period will close at 5 … Continue reading Application window opens for Oklahoma Route 66 Grant program
Holiday lighting event for Blue Whale adds a new twist
The iconic Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma, has been decorated for the Christmas season for nearly 15 years. But on Saturday, the city added a new twist to the annual event. Santa in his sleigh was placed onto the pond, with a long string of Christmas lights leading to the whale, as if the big … Continue reading Holiday lighting event for Blue Whale adds a new twist
More details revealed of proposed renovations for Blue Whale site in Catoosa
Now we know better where that proposed $6 million for the Blue Whale would go. The City Council of Catoosa, Oklahoma, last week unveiled a proposed master plan for the iconic Blue Whale site along Route 66 as envisioned by Hampton Creative of Tulsa. Among the additions would be a mini-golf course, a new visitors center, … Continue reading More details revealed of proposed renovations for Blue Whale site in Catoosa
Catoosa wants $6 million in upgrades to Blue Whale site before Route 66 centennial
The City of Catoosa, Oklahoma, is looking for about $6 million in improvements to its Blue Whale site before Route 66's centennial in 2026. John Blish, the city manager, said he wants to add more amenities to the site to make it more tourist-friendly, according to a report from News on 6 in nearby Tulsa. … Continue reading Catoosa wants $6 million in upgrades to Blue Whale site before Route 66 centennial
City of Catoosa plans improvements to the grounds of the Blue Whale
The City of Catoosa, Oklahoma, wants to make a series of improvements to the grounds of the iconic Blue Whale site. According to News on 6 in nearby Tulsa, the city's plans include "building trails behind the whale, restrooms, a new gift shop and possibly creating a small R-V park." The city also wants to … Continue reading City of Catoosa plans improvements to the grounds of the Blue Whale
Scenes of Christmas decor along Route 66
A number of Route 66 landmarks recently have been decorated for the Christmas holiday. First, the Blue Whale in Catoosa, Oklahoma, held its annual "lights on" ceremony on Sunday night. As these photos from Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin shows, not only was the whale lighted, but so was the nearby ark. In … Continue reading Scenes of Christmas decor along Route 66
Scenes from the Blue Whale of Catoosa’s 50th-anniversary celebration
A bunch of Route 66 aficionados have posted photographs from Saturday's 50th-anniversary party of the landmark Blue Whale in Catoosa, Oklahoma. The event included appearances by "Route 66: The Mother Road" author Michael Wallis, Dean "Crazy Legs" Walker, Ron "Tattoo Man" Jones and Blue Whale park director Liz Huckleby, to name a few. KTUL-TV in … Continue reading Scenes from the Blue Whale of Catoosa’s 50th-anniversary celebration
Interior of Blue Whale of Catoosa closed off after recent vandalism
Visitors at the iconic Blue Whale site off Route 66 in Catoosa, Oklahoma, will be unable to climb into the whale's interior after someone vandalized that space with spraypaint last week. According to Channel 2 in nearby Tulsa: “Yesterday morning, a sweet family who had climbed up the blue whale’s head for the great photo … Continue reading Interior of Blue Whale of Catoosa closed off after recent vandalism
A bit of holiday cheer from the Mother Road
It's Christmas Eve, and what better way to get into the holiday spirit than to see a few examples of great holiday decor than from Route 66? First, the Devil's Elbow Bridge in Devil's Elbow, Missouri, which has been decorated each Christmas season for nearly a decade: View this post on Instagram A post shared … Continue reading A bit of holiday cheer from the Mother Road