Earlier this week, the City of Tulsa erected a large “Welcome to Tulsa” neon sign just before the Tulsa Route 66 Capital Cruise brings in thousands of tourists and classic-car enthusiasts.
The sign is at the Route 66 Historical Village in southwest Tulsa. Residents gathered Tuesday night for the lighting ceremony there.
Here are images of the sign:
The city stated in a news release:
“This lighting ceremony marks another exciting step toward the Route 66 Centennial and the opportunity we have to showcase Tulsa on an international stage,” Mayor Nichols said. “These gateway signs are designed to celebrate who we are as a city, from our Route 66 legacy and Art Deco architecture to the creativity and energy that continue to shape Tulsa today. As the Capital of Route 66, we want every person arriving in Tulsa to immediately recognize they are entering a place with a unique history and an exciting future.”
The west sign is located near the historic Route 66 Historical Village near Yukon Avenue and Southwest Boulevard, just south of Interstate 244, while the east sign is being installed near the Interstate 44 and Interstate 244 split, east of 129th East Avenue.
The structures feature an inverted triangle with sides rising skyward at a 66-degree angle – a symbolic nod to Tulsa’s historic ties to Route 66. Standing approximately 42 feet tall, each sign incorporates the Tulsa flag shield outlined with illuminated acrylic designed to mimic the appearance of classic neon signage. The “Welcome to Tulsa” message is also backlit, creating a striking visual display both day and night. […]
Ultimately, the project is intended to create memorable entry points into Tulsa while honoring the city’s historic ties to Route 66 and enhancing the visitor experience for residents and tourists alike. The broader signage initiative could ultimately include as many as 42 signs throughout Tulsa, depending on future construction costs and funding availability. Priority was placed on the two Welcome to Tulsa signs, followed by additional Welcome Monuments and Local Monuments planned for other locations across the city.
A second sign is being installed in east Tulsa near Interstate 44 and Interstate 244.
The Tulsa Route 66 Capital Cruise, at last report, has drawn more than 4,500 entrants for the big event on Saturday. The world record for a classic-car cruise is just short of 2,500. Barring bad weather, Tulsa seems destined to shatter that record.