Claremore unveils its Route 66 Centennial marker

The City of Claremore, Oklahoma, and the state's Route 66 Centennial Commission on Monday unveiled the second Route 66 centennial marker in the Sooner State. Here's what it looks like: Monday also happened to be the anniversary of when U.S. 66 was federally certified in 1926. According to KJRH-TV in Tulsa, the first centennial marker … Continue reading Claremore unveils its Route 66 Centennial marker

New video series spotlights Route 66 revitalization efforts in Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Department of Commerce recently launched a new video series that touts the agency's efforts to revitalize Route 66 before the highway's centennial in 2026. In late 2023, the agency launched the Route 66 grants program, allowing communities to apply for funding for municipalities, nonprofits and government entities on Route 66. To date, 24 projects have … Continue reading New video series spotlights Route 66 revitalization efforts in Oklahoma

New Oklahoma Route 66 grants go to Blue Whale improvements, giant dinosaur, neon projects

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

Hydro wins $496,000 state grant to build Welcome to Hydro Route 66 Experience

The Hydro Chamber of Commerce of Hydro, Oklahoma, announced the village had received a $496,000 grant from the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission to build a "Welcome to Hydro Route 66 Experience." It will be built at the four-way stop at Route 66 and Highway 58, the north-south road leading into Hydro, and yards off … Continue reading Hydro wins $496,000 state grant to build Welcome to Hydro Route 66 Experience

Organization wants a big “Clinton” sign on city’s east side of Route 66

The city council of Clinton, Oklahoma, heard a local organization's proposal of a two-sided big sign to showcase an original section of Route 66 on the city's east side. According to a recent print edition of the Clinton Daily News, Andrew Stone of the West OK Co-op presented its idea to the city council where … Continue reading Organization wants a big “Clinton” sign on city’s east side of Route 66

Oklahoma unveils official logo for state’s Route 66 centennial celebrations

The Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission last week unveiled the official logo for the state's Route 66 centennial celebrations during a kickoff event at the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City. This inaugural event marks the commencement of a series of celebrations leading up to the iconic Route 66's 100th anniversary in 2026. The ceremony culminated with unveiling of the Oklahoma Route … Continue reading Oklahoma unveils official logo for state’s Route 66 centennial celebrations

Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission launches Kickstart 66 Tour on Thursday

The Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission is starting a Kickstart 66 Tour this week with the goal to spark development along the highway before its centennial in 2026. According to the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, staff from the Oklahoma Arts Council and Oklahoma Main Street Center will make a series of stops in communities along … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission launches Kickstart 66 Tour on Thursday

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

Governor signs Oklahoma Route 66 centennial legislation into law

Oklahoma's governor recently signed the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission Act into law. That piece of news was tucked into a Tulsa World story where Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell again pledged to make the Sooner State a leader in Route 66 tourism, including a convention with stakeholders. The convention will be Dec. 3-4 at the … Continue reading Governor signs Oklahoma Route 66 centennial legislation into law