National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum draws nearly 10,000 monthly, makes huge economic impact

The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City commissioned an economic impact study to help justify a forthcoming $40 million capital investment campaign. It's safe to say the results from the subsequent study from RegionTrack are eye-opening, which initially was reported by The Oklahoman newspaper. Some highlights from the report: The museum drew … Continue reading National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum draws nearly 10,000 monthly, makes huge economic impact

Route 66 Christmas Tree Farm coming to Tulsa in early November

An art project called the Route 66 Christmas Tree Farm will be open to the public in early November in a long-vacant space in the Red Fork Historic District in southwest Tulsa. The space will consist of hundreds of decorated artificial Christmas trees donated since January, plus a 1951 Ford Deluxe. The project also will … Continue reading Route 66 Christmas Tree Farm coming to Tulsa in early November

Artist provides modified sculptures for Tulsa’s Cry Baby Hill

The artist who created a controversial sculpture for Tulsa's Cry Baby Hill has submitted revised concepts of his initial design. According to the Tulsa World and other area media outlets, Ken Kelleher of New Hampshire provided a more bicycle-centric look to his proposed 21-foot-tall "Cry Baby Cry" statue. The new variations show the same figure … Continue reading Artist provides modified sculptures for Tulsa’s Cry Baby Hill

Proposed 21-foot-tall statue near Tulsa’s Route 66 prompts some backlash

A proposed 21-foot-tall statue on Cry Baby Hill near Route 66 in Tulsa has sparked some backlash from residents, ranging from the figure itself to an out-of-state artist being selected for the project. The statue is set to be built before Route 66's centennial in 2026 on the hill at 815 S. Riverside Drive. That's … Continue reading Proposed 21-foot-tall statue near Tulsa’s Route 66 prompts some backlash

Big A the Texaco Giant to be installed at Gearhead Curios in Galena on Sept. 8

The specially commissioned, nearly 20-foot-tall "Big A the Texaco Giant" will be installed at Gearhead Curios in Galena, Kansas, at 1 p.m. on Sept. 8. ReGiant, specializing in working on Muffler Men, will install the former Texaco station at 520 S. Main St. (Route 66). Enchanted Castle Studios made the figure itself. It has fabricated … Continue reading Big A the Texaco Giant to be installed at Gearhead Curios in Galena on Sept. 8

Train added to Red Oak II complex near Carthage

Fulfilling the dreams of its late founder, a small train recently was added near the replica railroad depot at the famed Red Oak II complex near Carthage, Missouri. According to the Joplin Globe, Larry Sernyk, who owns several buildings in Red Oak II and also lives there, worked with a crew to install the train … Continue reading Train added to Red Oak II complex near Carthage

Jerry McClanahan, the late Bunny Neff inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame

Longtime Route 66 artist and researcher Jerry McClanahan of Chandler, Oklahoma, was inducted Saturday into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton. The other inductee was the late Jeannette “Bunny” Neff of Sayre, Oklahoma, who advocated for Route 66 in the western part of the state for … Continue reading Jerry McClanahan, the late Bunny Neff inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame

Public art panel announces mural to highlight Baxter Springs history, including Route 66

The Public Art Committee of Baxter Springs, Kansas, announced a forthcoming public mural emphasizing the town's history, including Route 66. According to the Spring River Current and KSNF-TV, the mural will be funded by a $7,500 grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Office of Rural Development, with matching funds from the Ronald … Continue reading Public art panel announces mural to highlight Baxter Springs history, including Route 66

Cloud Gate, aka The Bean, in Chicago reopens to the public after months of construction

The "Cloud Gate" sculpture, better known as "The Bean," reopened to the public Sunday after being off-limits due to construction at Grainger Plaza in Chicago. The ABC-TV affiliate in Chicago reported the construction barricades were removed that day after the artwork was closed in August. Upgrades include new stairs, accessible ramps, paver replacement, a waterproofing … Continue reading Cloud Gate, aka The Bean, in Chicago reopens to the public after months of construction

Big Texan Slug Bug Ranch officially opens in Amarillo

The Big Texan Slug Bug Ranch officially was christened and opened Friday after the original Volkswagen Beetles were moved to Amarillo from their original home in Conway, Texas. The Facebook excerpts below include photos from Visit Amarillo, a video from the ceremony, more images from Dora Meroney of the Old Texas Route 66 Association and … Continue reading Big Texan Slug Bug Ranch officially opens in Amarillo