The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, which technically ended in 2019, unexpectedly relaunched its cost-share grant program and is taking applications for it through late April. The revival of the program came to light Tuesday with an email from Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association. He also flagged a new grant program … Continue reading Cost-share grants unexpectedly revived for Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program
Tag: Rhys Martin
Restored Lincoln County Express child-size train ends up near Rock Cafe in Stroud
The Lincoln County Express child-size train that spent decades rusting away amid the brush along Route 66 east of Stroud, Oklahoma, has been restored and moved next to the landmark Rock Cafe in Stroud. Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin reported in a Facebook post on the Historic Route 66 page that the city … Continue reading Restored Lincoln County Express child-size train ends up near Rock Cafe in Stroud
More details emerge on new Route 66 directional signs for Oklahoma
Oklahoma's largest newspaper uncovered new details about the new directional signs that will be installed along Route 66 this spring. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association last month announced the forthcoming signs, including its somewhat altered design. The Oklahoman, based in Oklahoma City, reported this on Monday: The Oklahoma Department of Transportation will replace about 80 … Continue reading More details emerge on new Route 66 directional signs for Oklahoma
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
Troubled Brookshire Motel in Tulsa is torn down
The troubled Brookshire Motel in Tulsa was torn down Monday after four fires decimated what was left of the Route 66 property. A body was found in one of the fires in May, prompting local officials to abandon plans to save the motel. Route 66 advocates in the city were saddened by the teardown but … Continue reading Troubled Brookshire Motel in Tulsa is torn down
Route 66 neon sign park takes shape in Tulsa
In recent days, workers have installed three replicas of classic neon signs that once stood along Route 66 in Tulsa. Replicas of the Will Rogers Motor Court, Oil Capital Motel and Tulsa Auto Court signs were installed in a small park on the south end of the historic 11th Street Bridge that once carried Route … Continue reading Route 66 neon sign park takes shape in Tulsa
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
Oklahoma seeks updates on its inventory of Route 66 structures in two counties
The Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office is asking for proposals to survey historic properties along Route 66 in Tulsa and Oklahoma counties. Tulsa County includes the city of Tulsa along with the communities of Oakhurst and Red Fork along Route 66. Oklahoma County includes Oklahoma City, Bethany, Edmond, Arcadia and Luther along Route 66. The … Continue reading Oklahoma seeks updates on its inventory of Route 66 structures in two counties
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