The Tulsa Route 66 Commission, citing the success of the city's neon-sign grant program, recently announced it would launch a similar grant program for special events. The commission stated in a Facebook post the new program is designed to "encourage heritage tourism and economic development through special Route 66 events and to help Tulsa prepare … Continue reading Tulsa Route 66 Commission launches a grant program for events
Tag: Tulsa
Ike’s Chili in Tulsa marking its 115th year in business this year
There's old Route 66 restaurants, then there's Ike's Chili in Tulsa, which is marking its 115th year in business in that city in 2023. Ike's opened in downtown Tulsa in 1908, one year after Oklahoma's statehood. That also is almost 20 years before U.S. 66 was federally commissioned. According to Tulsa People magazine: Owner Len Wade says … Continue reading Ike’s Chili in Tulsa marking its 115th year in business this year
Conceptual plans unveiled for Center of the Universe site in Tulsa
The Tulsa Downtown Partnership recently showed conceptual plans for the Center of the Universe, an odd echo-bounceback site in downtown that's near an old alignment of Route 66. According to the Tulsa World: The proposed improvements include a shade structure over the Center of the Universe, shaded seating near the north and south entrances to … Continue reading Conceptual plans unveiled for Center of the Universe site in Tulsa
Scenes of Christmas decor along Route 66
A number of Route 66 landmarks recently have been decorated for the Christmas holiday. First, the Blue Whale in Catoosa, Oklahoma, held its annual "lights on" ceremony on Sunday night. As these photos from Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin shows, not only was the whale lighted, but so was the nearby ark. In … Continue reading Scenes of Christmas decor along Route 66
Freddie’s BBQ and Steakhouse in Sapulpa to close on Dec. 31 after 60 years
Freddie’s BBQ and Steakhouse of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, one of several old-school Lebanese steakhouses that dotted the region, will close permanently on Dec. 31 after its longtime owner died earlier this year. The New Sapulpa Road (aka Route 66) restaurant on Sapulpa's north side made the announcement in a Facebook post on Sunday. It attributed the … Continue reading Freddie’s BBQ and Steakhouse in Sapulpa to close on Dec. 31 after 60 years
Companion neon sign erected next to Circle Cinema in Tulsa
A golden-colored "Stay Gold" neon sign recently was erected next to the historic Circle Cinema along the Lewis Avenue alignment of Route 66 in Tulsa. The sign is part of the city's Route 66 Neon Sign Grant Program which awards money to businesses on or near Tulsa's Route 66 corridors to rehabilitate old neon signs … Continue reading Companion neon sign erected next to Circle Cinema in Tulsa
Newest neon sign revealed in Tulsa’s Route 66 neon-sign grant program
A Tulsa design firm recently provided a sneak peek of the newest sign to be a part of that city's Route 66 neon-sign grant program. Brethren Design Co. posted on Instagram an image of the neon sign for a new location for one of the Chicken and the Wolf restaurants at Harvard Avenue and 11th … Continue reading Newest neon sign revealed in Tulsa’s Route 66 neon-sign grant program
Atlas Obscura podcast features Mary Beth Babcock and her Buck Atom statue in Tulsa
A recent podcast by the Atlas Obscura travel website featured Mary Beth Babcock, owner and creator of the Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66 shop in Tulsa, and the landmark Buck Atom fiberglass statue that anchors the site. It's an entertaining 11-minute podcast, and Babcock's irrepressible personality comes through: Babcock commissioned the Buck Atom statue … Continue reading Atlas Obscura podcast features Mary Beth Babcock and her Buck Atom statue in Tulsa
Route 66 Road Fest in Tulsa used a driverless shuttle bus
The recently completed Route 66 Road Fest in Tulsa featured on particular oddity -- a driverless shuttle bus to help visitors get to and from the festival. You can see the shuttle operate in this local news report: https://youtu.be/ZDHtJ_0exNI News 6 reported it was the first such driverless shuttle in the state. The shuttle was … Continue reading Route 66 Road Fest in Tulsa used a driverless shuttle bus
Route 66 pedestrian underpass in Chelsea reopens to the public
The historic pedestrian tunnel under Route 66 in Chelsea, Oklahoma, recently reopened to the public after vandalism forced its closing about a year ago. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association made the announcement of the reopening of the underpass: The tunnel was refurbished in 2016 with a Route 66-style mural that spotlights Chelsea landmarks. The tunnel … Continue reading Route 66 pedestrian underpass in Chelsea reopens to the public