Restoration of West Winds Motel sign in Erick among Oklahoma Route 66 Commission grants

The restoration of the neon sign for the closed West Winds Motel in Erick, Oklahoma, is among the $6 million in grants recently awarded by the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission. A list of the funds given from the state's Route 66 Revitalization Grant Program was posted in a document on the commission's website. Several grant … Continue reading Restoration of West Winds Motel sign in Erick among Oklahoma Route 66 Commission grants

Route 66 pedestrian underpass in Chelsea reopens to the public

The historic pedestrian tunnel under Route 66 in Chelsea, Oklahoma, recently reopened to the public after vandalism forced its closing about a year ago. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association made the announcement of the reopening of the underpass: The tunnel was refurbished in 2016 with a Route 66-style mural that spotlights Chelsea landmarks. The tunnel … Continue reading Route 66 pedestrian underpass in Chelsea reopens to the public

Ground broken on Olive Oils 66 Service Station in Chelsea

A ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony was held at the future site of Olive Oils 66 Service Station, a 1930s-style auto repair shop in Chelsea, Oklahoma, one block off Route 66. Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, attended the ceremony, where you can see a small-model mockup of the shop. Project Chelsea also posted … Continue reading Ground broken on Olive Oils 66 Service Station in Chelsea

Groundbreaking set for 1930s-style service station, Route 66 gift shop in Chelsea

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. Dec. 21 at 514 Olive St. in Chelsea, Oklahoma, for the construction of a 1930s-style service station for car maintenance and repairs, plus a Route 66 gift shop. The shop will be called Olive Oils 66 Service Station in downtown Chelsea. It will feature a 1930s-style … Continue reading Groundbreaking set for 1930s-style service station, Route 66 gift shop in Chelsea

Chelsea Historical Society wants to turn historic bank building into a museum

The Chelsea Area Historical Society wants to restore and convert the historic Bank of Chelsea building in downtown Chelsea, Oklahoma, into a museum. The society held a community meeting at the Chelsea Civic Center on Thursday to discuss funding options and the building's importance. According to a historical society official contacted through Facebook Messenger, a … Continue reading Chelsea Historical Society wants to turn historic bank building into a museum

Oklahoma Route 66 Association secures Bob Waldmire U-Haul, displays it at Chelsea tunnel

Thanks to the help of donations, the Oklahoma Route 66 Association secured the U-Haul truck painted by the late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire and is displaying it near the pedestrian underpass in Chelsea, Oklahoma. Association President Rhys Martin wrote in a blog post that Waldmire initially painted a detailed Route 66 map on one … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Association secures Bob Waldmire U-Haul, displays it at Chelsea tunnel

Chelsea pedestrian tunnel under Route 66 vandalized

The Route 66 Pedestrian Underpass Mural in Chelsea, Oklahoma, that opened to the public less than two weeks ago already has been vandalized. But at least the mural itself was spared from the defacing. Kenneth Hollingshead from Sapulpa, Oklahoma, and 9-year-old Parker Stanbro of Chelsea painted the mural's collage of Chelsea landmarks, including the 1926 Pryor Creek Bridge that once … Continue reading Chelsea pedestrian tunnel under Route 66 vandalized

Murals in Chelsea pedestrian tunnel to be revealed Saturday

Project Chelsea of Chelsea, Oklahoma, is inviting Mother Road fans to the town's historic pedestrian tunnel under Route 66 to see the new murals in it that will be revealed Saturday. The Route 66 Pedestrian Underpass Mural will be unveiled at 4 p.m. Saturday at the tunnel at Sixth and Walnut streets. After the ceremony, the tunnel … Continue reading Murals in Chelsea pedestrian tunnel to be revealed Saturday

Mural will be added to Chelsea pedestrian tunnel

A mural that will portray the history of Chelsea, Oklahoma, will be painted on the pedestrian tunnel that goes under Route 66 in the town, reported The Daily Progress of nearby Claremore, Oklahoma. Artist Ken Hollingshead of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, has been preparing the walls of the tunnel. It will be closed for about a month as he's … Continue reading Mural will be added to Chelsea pedestrian tunnel