Proposed 21-foot-tall statue near Tulsa’s Route 66 prompts some backlash

A proposed 21-foot-tall statue on Cry Baby Hill near Route 66 in Tulsa has sparked some backlash from residents, ranging from the figure itself to an out-of-state artist being selected for the project. The statue is set to be built before Route 66's centennial in 2026 on the hill at 815 S. Riverside Drive. That's … Continue reading Proposed 21-foot-tall statue near Tulsa’s Route 66 prompts some backlash

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

20-foot-tall Meadow Gold Mack statue installed at namesake store in Tulsa

A 20-foot-tall Muffler Man named Meadow Gold Mack was installed Wednesday at the Meadow Gold Mack's Route 66 Outpost in Tulsa. It is the third such Muffler Man to be installed in a short stretch of Route 66 in Tulsa. Two are at the nearby Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on Route 66. All are the … Continue reading 20-foot-tall Meadow Gold Mack statue installed at namesake store in Tulsa

Rhys Martin becomes manager of National Trust’s Preserve Route 66 Initiative

The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced that Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin joined the National Trust as manager of the Preserve Route 66 Initiative last month.  Martin, who hails from Tulsa, joins Amy Webb, who leads the Preserve Route 66 Initiative’s cross-Trust team. The initiative provides preservation grants, assistance and advocacy to help … Continue reading Rhys Martin becomes manager of National Trust’s Preserve Route 66 Initiative

Mack the Friendly Lumberjack, neon sign to be installed at Meadow Gold Mack by Aug. 24

Meadow Gold Mack in Tulsa announced its 20-foot-tall Mack the Friendly Lumberjack statue and its neon sign will be up during the store's grand opening from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 24. Meadow Gold Mack at 1306 E. 11th St. (aka Route 66) is just down the street from Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios … Continue reading Mack the Friendly Lumberjack, neon sign to be installed at Meadow Gold Mack by Aug. 24

Tulsa officially earns “Capital of Route 66” title

Several towns along the Mother Road for years have claimed to be the "Capital of Route 66." But the City of Tulsa and the Tulsa Route 66 Commission ensured it isn't just an idle boast. After a lengthy process, Tulsa officially secured a federal copyright for "Capital of Route 66." According to KJRH-TV and other … Continue reading Tulsa officially earns “Capital of Route 66” title

Nearly 10,000 people attend AAA Route 66 Road Fest in Tulsa

Nearly 10,000 people attended the two-day AAA Route 66 Road Fest at Expo Square in Tulsa last month. That's according to Richard Stephens Jr. and Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin, who filed a report on the association's website. All told, it featured 218 vehicles in the car show, seven decades of Route 66 … Continue reading Nearly 10,000 people attend AAA Route 66 Road Fest in Tulsa

Stella Atom joins Buck Atom at the fiberglass giant’s Route 66 souvenir shop in Tulsa

A 19-foot-tall fiberglass giant named Stella Atom joined the namesake of Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on Route 66 shop in Tulsa.

Nearly century-old Circle Cinema in Tulsa launches a building and maintenance fund

The 96-year-old Circle Cinema recently launched a building and maintenance fund to help keep the venue going well into its next century. The operators of the Route 66 landmark said the building is in good shape, but it's old enough that an urgent repair issue arises now and then, according to KJRH-TV in Tulsa. When … Continue reading Nearly century-old Circle Cinema in Tulsa launches a building and maintenance fund

Wings of Freedom in Tulsa erects repurposed Saratoga Motor Hotel sign

A few days ago, the Wings of Freedom organization of Tulsa erected a repurposed Saratoga Motor Hotel sign made for its sober-living facility at the former motel site. Wings of Freedom posted images of the new sign being installed, along with an image of the old sign. Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin also … Continue reading Wings of Freedom in Tulsa erects repurposed Saratoga Motor Hotel sign