A relighting ceremony for the restored West Winds Motel neon sign in Erick, Oklahoma, is scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday, May 22.
The sign has been lighted nightly since it was rejuvenated and reinstalled several weeks ago. The relighting serves as more of a celebration:
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The lighting ceremony will begin at 8 p.m. at 619 West Roger Miller Boulevard in Erick, where community members, Route 66 enthusiasts, and visitors are invited to gather and celebrate the restoration of the historic roadside landmark.
The restoration project was made possible through funding from the Route 66 Revitalization Grant through the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. Organizers say the project is aimed at preserving the legacy and nostalgia of America’s “Mother Road” while honoring the businesses and attractions that once welcomed travelers through western Oklahoma. […]
Officials say the evening will celebrate not only the sign itself, but also the partnerships and preservation efforts that helped make the restoration possible. The event will recognize the importance of maintaining historic landmarks for future generations while continuing to promote tourism and local pride along Oklahoma’s stretch of Route 66.
During the restoration process, it was discovered that the business was originally named West Winds Court. So they went with that instead.
Debbie Kemp now owns the property, and she said the restored neon sign will remain lighted nightly.
Anthony Reichardt visited the motel when it was still operating in 1993.
The West Winds Motel, built circa 1948, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.
(Image of the West Winds Motel sign in Erick, Oklahoma, by the author)