An Oklahoma City television station recently produced a feature about the neon-sign paradise that is Jim Ross and Shellee Graham’s backyard near Arcadia, Oklahoma.
The segment is part of KFOR-TV‘s ongoing “Is This a Great State or What?!” series.
Ross and Graham host a Neonfest in their backyard each October if you want to get a closer look at their collection of original and replica neon signs.
Ross’ home, designed to resemble a Phillips 66 cottage-style gas station, sits on a semi-obscure original alignment of Route 66 before the highway was realigned in 1952.
That alignment also was where a nearby resident had a chance encounter with Paul McCartney during the former Beatle’s Route 66 trip in 2008 with future wife Nancy Shevell. A sign now marks the spot where that occurred.
Ross, a Route 66 researcher, has published a few books, including “Oklahoma Route 66” (Amazon link), and has his own website where he’s parked his fieldwork.
Graham, a photographer and graphic artist, also has published a few books, including the definitive account of the fabled but defunct Coral Court Motel (Amazon link) near St. Louis.
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Jim & Shellee, you areThe Light!
What an awesome collection Jim and Shellee!