The Old Route 66 Association of Texas, in partnership with the Big Texan Steak Ranch, will host a ceremonial sign unveiling at 10 a.m. Aug. 21 at Slug Bug Ranch, 1414 Sunrise Drive in Amarillo, to celebrate the launch of a major sign restoration effort along the Route 66 corridor in the Texas Panhandle.
The project will restore signage in communities from Glenrio to McLean, Texas, boosting wayfinding and promoting local tourism.
The Historic Route 66 Corridor Signage Project is a multi-agency collaboration involving the Old Route 66 Association of Texas, Texas Department of Transportation, and Bobby and Danny Lee, owners of the Big Texan.
Under the initiative:
● TxDot will install Route 66 signs along Interstate 40 between the communities.
● The Big Texan Steak Ranch will fund 27 custom signs within the communities themselves.
● The Old Route 66 Association of Texas is coordinating the effort and leading local engagement.
“Route 66 put The Big Texan on the map,” Bobby Lee said. “We know how important that road is — not just to us, but to every small town it crosses. These signs are about making sure people don’t just drive through; they stop, explore and spend time in our communities.”
The effort reflects months of work by the association, which has built partnerships with TxDOT and local stakeholders to bring back Route 66 signage that was removed in 2019. It arrives at a critical moment as Texas prepares for the Route 66 centennial in 2026.
“Route 66 plays a massive role in local economies, and we want to ensure travelers know they’re on the right path as they pass through our Texas communities,” said Brady Wilson, membership and communication director for the association. “This signage project is a major step in preserving, promoting, and protecting Route 66 for future generations.”
The Aug. 21 event will include remarks from project partners, background on the signage initiative and a
ceremonial unveiling of one of the first new community signs.
(Image of the Texas Route 66 sign that will be distributed in the Panhandle, courtesy of Brady Wilson)