A full-length documentary film, “Crossroads of America: Oklahoma’s Route 66,” will debut later this month, along with two screenings at theaters in the Sooner State in September.
The first screening will be broadcast at 4 p.m. Central on Aug. 29 on OETA.
The TeePee Drive-In in Sapulpa will show the film at 8 p.m. on Sept. 13, and the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore will screen it at 7 p.m. on Sept. 24. Tickets are free at both venues.
“Crossroads of America” will make other stops along Route 66 later this year.
Here’s a synopsis of the film:
From Cy Avery’s vision that placed Oklahoma at the heart of Route 66 to the families who traveled west in search of opportunity, the highway has always been more than a road. It became a pathway to the American Dream, carrying Dust Bowl migrants toward new beginnings, fueling generations of small-town entrepreneurs, and welcoming post-war travelers in search of adventure, freedom, and possibility.
The film also celebrates Oklahoma legends whose stories became inseparable from Route 66. Will Rogers embodied the humor, optimism, and spirit of the open road, while Woody Guthrie gave voice to those chasing a better life along it. Their legacies, like the highway itself, helped define the American experience.
Blending rich history with deeply personal stories, Crossroads of America follows the people who continue to live, work, and dream along Route 66 today. From restaurateurs and artists to preservationists and community leaders, they are not only protecting the Mother Road’s remarkable legacy—they are shaping its next 100 years.
At its heart, this is a story about the people. Their resilience, determination, and enduring belief in the promise of tomorrow, remind us that Route 66 has never simply connected places, it has connected generations, communities, and dreams.
Bryan Beasley directed “Crossroads of America,” with Jon Roman as the producer and Jaime Roman as the writer and co-producer. The Inasmuch Foundation provided support for the film.
(Courtesy image of the “Crossroads of America: Oklahoma’s Route 66” poster)