New U.S. 81 Rock Island Bridge that pays tribute to Route 66 opens in El Reno

State and local officials on Friday held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of a new U.S. 81 Rock Island Bridge in El Reno, Oklahoma, that pays tribute to the original span's Route 66 history. According to the El Reno Tribune, the ceremony for the new $10 million bridge included a performance by the … Continue reading New U.S. 81 Rock Island Bridge that pays tribute to Route 66 opens in El Reno

El Reno hosting a cruise Friday on the original alignment of Route 66

El Reno, Oklahoma, on Friday is hosting an intriguing event -- a cruise on the original alignment of Route 66 in the city. The cruise begins northbound on Shepard Avenue at Business 40 and U.S. 81, turns west onto Elm Street, turns north onto Hoff Avenue, turns west onto Wade Street, turns briefly north onto … Continue reading El Reno hosting a cruise Friday on the original alignment of Route 66

Latest RoadTripOK video focuses on El Reno, Yukon

The latest RoadTripOK video for Oklahoma Tourism focuses on attractions in the Route 66 towns of El Reno and Yukon. Here's where the crew went: Downtown El RenoSid's Diner in El RenoExpress Clydesdales in Yukon Here's the video: https://youtu.be/k-XlxxUG9U8 Last fall, the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department and Broken Arrow-based Retrospec Films announced they would launch a year-long series … Continue reading Latest RoadTripOK video focuses on El Reno, Yukon

County may rehabilitate an original stretch of Route 66 west of El Reno

Canadian County, Oklahoma, is looking at updates for a 12-mile stretch of original Route 66 west of El Reno, prompting concerns from historic preservationists. ROUTE Magazine flagged a story from the El Reno Tribune about the possible project from Fort Reno to the Cherokee Trading Post. The newspaper talked to county commissioner Jack Stewart: According … Continue reading County may rehabilitate an original stretch of Route 66 west of El Reno

Motel in El Reno destroyed by tornado; at least 2 dead

A tornado flattened the Budget Inn Motel along Route 66 in El Reno, Oklahoma, and killed at least two people. The twister also hit a trailer park and several businesses along the U.S. 81 (aka Route 66) corridor in the city about 10:30 p.m. Saturday, The Oklahoman reported. “I think El Reno Oklahoma needs a … Continue reading Motel in El Reno destroyed by tornado; at least 2 dead

El Reno installs new Route 66 monument

The city of El Reno, Oklahoma, on Wednesday installed a 10-foot-tall Route 66 monument, days before the annual El Reno Fried Onion Burger Day festival this weekend. The monument, made by PremierCraft in nearby Oklahoma City, sits at West Wade Street and South Choctaw Avenue, near Sid's Diner. It's designed so tourists can sit inside the … Continue reading El Reno installs new Route 66 monument

El Reno soon will have a Route 66 Monument

The city of El Reno, Oklahoma, last week approved a contract with an area metal-fabrication firm to build a large Route 66 Monument near downtown. The city announced on its Facebook page: On Tuesday, February 13, the City Council unanimously agreed to celebrate the history of “America’s Mother Road,” historic Route 66, with a monument … Continue reading El Reno soon will have a Route 66 Monument

Fifty years of making fried onion burgers on Route 66

Marty Hall has spent decades working at not one, but two notable restaurants along Route 66 in El Reno, Oklahoma, that specialize in fried onion burgers. Hall has owned Sid's Diner since 1989. Before that, he began his restaurant career barely in his teens at Johnnie's Grill, also on Route 66 in El Reno. All … Continue reading Fifty years of making fried onion burgers on Route 66

Fort Reno loses state funding, cuts hours deeply

Oklahoma state government's dire financial situation apparently forced it to halt funding for Fort Reno near El Reno, Oklahoma, just off old Route 66. According to a report by KOCO in Oklahoma City, the historic fort -- which dates to the 1870s -- that once was open daily but Christmas and Thanksgiving now is greeting tourists only three … Continue reading Fort Reno loses state funding, cuts hours deeply

El Reno’s fried onion burgers exported to Fort Worth

If you're in north Texas and you have a hankering for fried onion burgers served in no fewer than three restaurants in El Reno, Oklahoma, you're in luck. Hookers Grill in the popular Stockyards area of Fort Worth, Texas, recently opened. It features a significant El Reno connection, reported the Fort Worth Star-Telegram With or … Continue reading El Reno’s fried onion burgers exported to Fort Worth