Sixth neon-sign grant recipient comes to light in Tulsa

The Cities Service Station in southwest Tulsa this week became the sixth recipient of the city’s Route 66 neon-sign grant program to light the darkness.

The gas station at 1648 Southwest Blvd. (aka Route 66), now home to Studio 45 Architects, was built in 1926, the same year U.S. 66 was designated. The Cities Service Station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Tulsa Route 66 Commission touted the station’s relighting of its neon Thursday on Facebook.

According to the Tulsa Preservation Commission:

Cities Service Station # 8 is a good example of the “oblong box” type of service station which proliferated across the nation from the 1930’s through the 1950’s. In 1926, the first station was constructed and in 1940 the separate two-bay garage was constructed. In c. 1950, the old station was demolished, and replaced by a new office and connection with the existing garage. This now unified office and garage with new sleek enameled panels, smooth lines, large glass windows, and green trim created a new “modern” identity for the Cities Service Company.

On a related note, Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on Route 66 owner Mary Beth Babcock announced Thursday she’d reached her fundraising goal to begin production on her shop’s 20-foot-tall neon sign with a 6-foot Route 66 shield designed by Roadhouse Relics of Austin.

Babcock’s design was approved by the city a few weeks ago, and she also will receive a grant.

Other signs that are new or have been restored with the city’s grant program are Interparts of TulsaBilly Ray’s Catfish & BBQTally’s Good Food Cafe and U.S. Studio 66.

Other sign grants that have been approved Flo’s Burger Diner and Renaissance Brewing Co.

(Image of the Cities Service Station by the Tulsa Route 66 Commission via Facebook)

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