Program features Route 66 artist Jerry McClanahan, Round Barn volunteer Mr. Sam

The Oklahoma Educational Television Authority, which contains a network of PBS stations across the state, recently aired a 28-minute "Gallery America" segment about Route 66 artist and researcher Jerry McClanahan and effervescent Arcadia Round Barn volunteer "Mr. Sam" Gillaspy. The program is well-produced. Check it out below: McClanahan's art gallery just off Route 66 in … Continue reading Program features Route 66 artist Jerry McClanahan, Round Barn volunteer Mr. Sam

Oklahoma City station features Route 66 researcher and artist Jerry McClanahan

KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City recently ventured to Chandler, Oklahoma, to do a 2 1/2-minute feature about Route 66 artist and researcher Jerry McClanahan at his shop there. The best part from the video's transcript: Just outside sits an idling 1954 Chevy station wagon, not so different from the cars his father used to drive on … Continue reading Oklahoma City station features Route 66 researcher and artist Jerry McClanahan

Old Phillips 66 station in Chandler foreclosed; bank has the property for sale

A bank recently foreclosed the old cottage-style Phillips 66 gas station and an adjacent building along Route 66 in Chandler, Oklahoma, and both will be put up for sale -- preferably to someone who will preserve it. Danny Alsip, president of the BancFirst branch in Chandler, said during a telephone interview Thursday the property was … Continue reading Old Phillips 66 station in Chandler foreclosed; bank has the property for sale

Oklahoma’s black eye amid upcoming preservation conference

The Tulsa World this week published a preview of the “Are We There Yet? Preservation of Roadside Architecture and Attractions" symposium in Tulsa next month. The April 10-12 event is organized by National Park Service’s National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT), Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, Tulsa Foundation for Architecture, city of Tulsa, Tulsa … Continue reading Oklahoma’s black eye amid upcoming preservation conference

66 Bowl sign being resurrected in Chandler

The venerable 66 Bowl sign that once graced Route 66 in Oklahoma City for 50 years has resurfaced in Chandler, Oklahoma, at a future sports and entertainment complex that will include, yes, a bowling alley. A Facebook post of the sign by longtime Route 66 researcher and artist Jerry McClanahan caused a stir Monday. Marilyn Emde, director of … Continue reading 66 Bowl sign being resurrected in Chandler

Route 66 advocate named to Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame

Sally Bourne Ferrell of Chandler, Oklahoma, an early leader in the creation of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and one of the champions in restoring a historic armory that became the Route 66 Interpretive Center, was announced as an inductee to the Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame, according to a report in The Oklahoman newspaper. The induction … Continue reading Route 66 advocate named to Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame

A chat with Jerry McClanahan

KC Keefer adds to his "Genuine Route 66 Life" video series with a talk with Route 66 artist, author and researcher Jerry McClanahan at his studio in Chandler, Oklahoma. https://youtu.be/ISZLdWzTx2o McClanahan has been traveling regularly on Route 66 for more than 30 years, and his memories of the Mother Road date back even further. Novice … Continue reading A chat with Jerry McClanahan

Website needs more data on New Deal projects

The good news is someone has put together an interactive map of New Deal sites that were built beginning in the 1930s and are still standing. The bad news is the listings on the map are incomplete. Carthage, Missouri, for instance, has a few such sites that aren't listed. However, you can offer listings to … Continue reading Website needs more data on New Deal projects