Oklahoma is getting new road signs to mark historic Route 66

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is manufacturing slightly redesigned road signs to mark historic Route 66 throughout the state, including adding dozens of more signs to stretches that lacked them. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association made the announcement earlier this week on its Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OklahomaRoute66/posts/10158087435772775 The association stated the redesign removes the white bands … Continue reading Oklahoma is getting new road signs to mark historic Route 66

Harley and Annabelle Russell inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame

Harley and Annabelle Russell, aka the Mediocre Music Makers of Erick, Oklahoma, were inducted into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame. The inductees were announced Monday by the Oklahoma Route 66 Association president Rhys Martin, though Harley was presented with his and his late wife's plaques during a ceremony Sunday at his Sandhills Curiosity … Continue reading Harley and Annabelle Russell inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame

Oklahoma Route 66 Association prods senator to reintroduce National Historic Trail bill

The Oklahoma Route 66 Association is prodding a U.S. senator to reintroduce a bill that would designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail. Rhys Martin, president of the association, sent out an email to members this week to contact U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe and urge him to reintroduce a bill similar to Senate Bill … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Association prods senator to reintroduce National Historic Trail bill

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

How about Harley and Annabelle Russell for the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame?

The Oklahoma Route 66 Association a few days ago sent out an email asking for nominations -- one living and one deceased -- for the upcoming Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame inductions, held every two years. The Hall of Fame ceremony will be June 20 at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton. Here … Continue reading How about Harley and Annabelle Russell for the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame?

Route 66 stakeholders trade ideas at Oklahoma’s first Route 66 Convention

A bunch of Route 66 business owners or advocates of that historic highway gathered this week at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City for the first Route 66 Convention in that state. The event was shepherded by Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who also runs the state's tourism department and has made boosting visitorship in … Continue reading Route 66 stakeholders trade ideas at Oklahoma’s first Route 66 Convention

Art-installation tribute to Muffler Men goes up on Route 66 near Calumet

A California-based artist recently conceived of cutout paintings of Muffler Men that recently were erected along old Route 66 in Calumet, Oklahoma. John Cerney of Salinas, California, who has art pieces all over the United States, creates a piece of public art he gives away once a year. As collaborator Scott Farmer of Sculpture Island … Continue reading Art-installation tribute to Muffler Men goes up on Route 66 near Calumet

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

Oklahoma senator says he’ll withdraw bill to rename a part of Route 66 for Trump

One day after the bill was introduced, an Oklahoma state senator withdrew a proposal to rename a stretch of Route 66 as President Donald J. Trump Highway after the measure received widespread criticism from Route 66 fans and fellow lawmakers, including Trump's supporters. State Sen. Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow) said Wednesday he would withdraw the … Continue reading Oklahoma senator says he’ll withdraw bill to rename a part of Route 66 for Trump

Lake Overholser Bridge in OKC closed to traffic after problem found

The Lake Overholser Bridge in Oklahoma City recently was closed to vehicular traffic after an inspector found a problem in the historic Route 66 span. Longtime Route 66 advocate Kathy Anderson posted this message on Facebook from Melvena Heisch, a recently retired Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Officer: All, just heard back from the City Planning … Continue reading Lake Overholser Bridge in OKC closed to traffic after problem found