The 35-foot-tall "Kicks 66" illuminated sculpture near the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City was dedicated on Thursday. The artwork, designed by Cameron Eagle, pays tribute to Bobby Troup's iconic song “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" and Route 66's centennial this year. Eagle also designed the “Welcome to Luther” neon sign along Route … Continue reading “Kicks 66” sculpture dedicated near National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City
Category: Art
Students mostly finish repairing Bob Waldmire’s Route 66-themed U-Haul truck
Students from Francis Tuttle Technology Center in Oklahoma City recently finished most of its work on a long-inoperable U-Haul truck that had been painted by late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire. According to KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City, it took about three months to make the 1989 Toyota truck roadworthy again. "It wouldn't even run when … Continue reading Students mostly finish repairing Bob Waldmire’s Route 66-themed U-Haul truck
Grand opening of McClanahan Park in Chandler set for July 4, will include 66 Man superhero statue
The City of Chandler, Oklahoma, announced it will hold a grand opening on July 4 for McClanahan Park -- including a 30-foot-tall statue of the 66 Man comic book superhero created by resident and Route 66 artist Jerry McClanahan. The city stated on Facebook: The grand opening will take place from 7–9 p.m. and will … Continue reading Grand opening of McClanahan Park in Chandler set for July 4, will include 66 Man superhero statue
Construction of Centennial Plaza in Pontiac moves into a swifter phase
The mayor of Pontiac, Illinois, reported a few days ago that construction of the Route 66-themed Centennial Plaza near the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum is moving into a more rapid stage. Mayor Kelly Eckhoff in a Facebook post stated: The end of the eight week curing time for the steel structure … Continue reading Construction of Centennial Plaza in Pontiac moves into a swifter phase
Son of Bottle Tree Ranch’s founder is struggling to preserve the Route 66 landmark
The son of the founder of Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch along Route 66 near Oro Grande, California, is "miserable" and struggling to maintain the site in the wake of his father's death. Elliott Long became the caretaker of the Route 66 landmark after its creator and his father, Elmer Long, died of cancer at age … Continue reading Son of Bottle Tree Ranch’s founder is struggling to preserve the Route 66 landmark
Oklahoma Route 66 Association’s official centennial T-shirt features Bob Waldmire artwork
The Oklahoma Route 66 Association recently announced that its 2026 Route 66 centennial T-shirt features artwork from late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire. Waldmire, a well-traveled hippie whose intricate pen-and-ink drawings were beloved by the Route 66 community, was also the inspiration for Fillmore the Volkswagen minibus in Disney-Pixar’s 2006 "Cars" film. He was also … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Association’s official centennial T-shirt features Bob Waldmire artwork
Route 66 has a humongous weekend
This past weekend was a huge one for Route 66 -- not just in Springfield, Missouri, but also in Williams, Arizona; Kingman, Arizona; Seligman, Arizona; and Joliet, Illinois. The events came 100 years after officials in Springfield sent a telegram to the federal government, stating they were receptive to the No. 66 for their Chicago-to-Los … Continue reading Route 66 has a humongous weekend
Images from Route 66 featured on today’s Google Doodle
Anyone who visited the Google homepage today saw a series of images that included a Route 66 shield. The Google Doodle celebrates Route 66's centennial. One hundred years ago today, highway officials in Springfield, Missouri, sent a telegram to federal officials, stating No. 66 would be acceptable to designate their Chicago-to-Los Angeles highway. In a post, … Continue reading Images from Route 66 featured on today’s Google Doodle
Giant push-pin art installation dedicated in Wellston
A giant push-pin, part of an art installation, was dedicated a few days ago by state and local officials off Route 66 in Wellston, Oklahoma. The 23-foot-tall push-pin, designed by Joseph O’Connell of Creative Machines and titled "You Are Here," which lights up from inside at night. It is off Exit 158 of Interstate 44, … Continue reading Giant push-pin art installation dedicated in Wellston
Amarillo City Council advances plan for Route 66 interactive mural
The Amarillo City Council recently held a first reading for a resolution that would allow a large, Route 66-themed "story wall" near downtown. The Amarillo Globe-News reported the interactive mural -- titled "66 Stories from Route 66" -- will be on an underpass by Transformation Park to better connect downtown to Sixth Street (aka Route … Continue reading Amarillo City Council advances plan for Route 66 interactive mural