Will new exits off the Turner Turnpike improve the fortunes of Route 66 towns in Oklahoma?

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority's Access Oklahoma initiative plans to add 14 new exits from its toll-road system, including several near Route 66 towns between Oklahoma City and Tulsa. The Oklahoman examined that stretch of Route 66, especially the small town of Davenport, which hopes the new access from Interstate 44 will bring them new businesses … Continue reading Will new exits off the Turner Turnpike improve the fortunes of Route 66 towns in Oklahoma?

Pops site closes in Nichols Hills area of Oklahoma City

A Pops satellite store in north Oklahoma City closed just before Christmas, although the original restaurant and convenience store that features 600 flavors of soda and a 66-foot-tall LED soda bottle along Route 66 in Arcadia, Oklahoma, continues to run. The Pops site at 6447 Avondale Drive in the Nichols Hills section of Oklahoma City … Continue reading Pops site closes in Nichols Hills area of Oklahoma City

Tall tales spun around long-closed gas station

KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City recently produced a story about Sam "Mr. Sam" Gillaspy and the story he told about a long-closed Route 66 gas station between Arcadia and Luther, Oklahoma. Gillaspy, known as a longtime host at the Round Barn in nearby Arcadia, told the TV crew a secret back room in the Depression-era gas … Continue reading Tall tales spun around long-closed gas station

Butch Breger, longtime caretaker of the Round Barn of Arcadia, dies

Ernest Lee "Butch" Breger, longtime caretaker of the historic Round Barn in Arcadia, Oklahoma, died Tuesday at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City. He was 74. Breger also was part of the original Over the Hill Gang that helped restore the dilapidated Round Barn during the 1980s and '90s. One local told me Breger was the … Continue reading Butch Breger, longtime caretaker of the Round Barn of Arcadia, dies

Round Barn Rendezvous set for Sunday in Arcadia

Those who travel to the Round Barn of Arcadia, Oklahoma, on Sunday afternoon are in for a treat -- the historic Route 66 site is hosting a Round Barn Rendezvous music event. All acoustic musicians are invited from noon to 4 p.m. One flyer states: "All banjo players are welcome." A display of antique tractors and … Continue reading Round Barn Rendezvous set for Sunday in Arcadia

Surprise wedding at Route 66 Neon Festival

Those who attended the Arcadia Route 66 Neon Fest headquartered last weekend at Jim Ross' house off old Route 66 near Arcadia, Oklahoma, got a surprise -- the wedding of two longtime roadies,officiated by a third longtime roadie. Ross and Shellee Graham -- both who have photographed and researched Route 66 for at least 20 … Continue reading Surprise wedding at Route 66 Neon Festival

Highway improvements won’t affect The Boundary

Last month, word that the Oklahoma Department of Transportation would improve Oklahoma Route 66 between Arcadia and Luther made the owner of The Boundary wonder whether his barbecue restaurant would have to be razed. He's probably resting easier after what was announced at an ODOT public hearing about the project Tuesday night at an Arcadia … Continue reading Highway improvements won’t affect The Boundary

Will The Boundary be endangered by Route 66 upgrades?

The co-owner of The Boundary restaurant isn't sure whether proposed improvements to Oklahoma Route 66 will force him out of business, but he's going to to try to keep that from happening regardless. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation will host a meeting at 6 p.m.Tuesday. at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church at 500 Odor St. in Arcadia about … Continue reading Will The Boundary be endangered by Route 66 upgrades?

New Pops store opens in Nichols Hills today

A new Pops restaurant and soda store opens today in the Nichols Hills area of north Oklahoma City, reported The Oklahaman newspaper. The new 5,000 square-foot restaurant will be open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily at 6447 Avondale Dr. [...] The Nichols Hills location will offer burgers, fries and shakes, plus more than 600 … Continue reading New Pops store opens in Nichols Hills today

More long-ago Route 66 adventures in a 1959 Cadillac

Anthony Reichardt recently posted more videos from 1994 and 1995 when he drove Route 66 in a 1959 Cadillac. The first is of the Hackberry General Store in Hackberry, Arizona, when it was owned and operated by the now-deceased Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire. When you hear him talk about bats, you know you're listening … Continue reading More long-ago Route 66 adventures in a 1959 Cadillac