I've been made aware that three books -- with Route 66 as a central theme -- have been released in recent weeks, coinciding with the highway's centennial. One is Crystal Sershen's "Dust & Dreams: Roadmap of the American Soul" (Amazon affiliate link). She describes her book this way: A lyrical memoir, Dust & Dreams is told in … Continue reading Several Route 66-related books have been released in recent weeks
Category: Highways
“Submerged Route 66” boat tours in Springfield will start in June
Visit Springfield (Illinois) and Lake Springfield Marina, starting in June, will offer "Submerged Route 66" tours of the highway that was inundated by the creation Lake Springfield in the 1930s. Tours will start on Mondays and Fridays three times a day in early June and will run through early October. Those who wish to participate … Continue reading “Submerged Route 66” boat tours in Springfield will start in June
Elm Street in Lebanon renamed Route 66 as part of highway’s centennial
Elm Street in Lebanon, Missouri, officially was renamed Route 66 on April 1 -- and it's not an April Fool's Day joke. The city's Street Department on that day began installing the new Route 66 signs along that corridor. "This project honors Lebanon’s history while helping visitors and travelers better follow the historic Route 66 … Continue reading Elm Street in Lebanon renamed Route 66 as part of highway’s centennial
Tulsa unveils musical road on Route 66
A new musical road has been unveiled on Route 66 -- this time, on the historic 11th Street Bridge that crosses the Arkansas River in Tulsa. When a motorist drives over specially designed rumble strips on the bridge at 35 mph, one will hear the melody of Oklahoma native Woody Guthrie's iconic song "This Land … Continue reading Tulsa unveils musical road on Route 66
“Will Rogers Highway: Route 66” exhibit opens on Feb. 27 in Claremore
The Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma, will open its "Will Rogers Highway: Route 66" exhibit on Feb. 27. The exhibit opens at 5 p.m. Admission will be free. The Cherokee Phoenix reported: The exhibit launches with the 1880s, illustrating America’s push for better roads beyond rough wagon trails, which spurred the rapid Good … Continue reading “Will Rogers Highway: Route 66” exhibit opens on Feb. 27 in Claremore
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City opens new Route 66 exhibit
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City recently opened a new exhibit that focuses on Route 66 during its centennial year. "Route 66: From Trails to Truck Stops" runs through May 3. Tickets are available here. Here's what the museum says about the exhibit: From horses and covered wagons to riverboats, steam … Continue reading National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City opens new Route 66 exhibit
New Will Rogers Highway monument will be installed outside of Wellston
The Oklahoma Route 66 Association announced that a new Will Rogers Highway monument will be installed along Route 66 in Wellston to commemorate Route 66B, aka the Wellston Gap or Wellston Loop. It would be the first Will Rogers Highway monument installed in more than a decade. The association reported: “When we were looking at … Continue reading New Will Rogers Highway monument will be installed outside of Wellston
Sapulpa’s Route 66 reopens after 10-month overhaul
It took a little longer than expected, but Dewey Avenue (aka Route 66) in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, reopened to traffic last week after multiple infrastructure improvements. Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who leads the state's tourism department, hailed the reopening during a ceremony, reported the Sapulpa Times. Also attending were the mayor, city council and city staff. … Continue reading Sapulpa’s Route 66 reopens after 10-month overhaul
Construction on NW 23rd Street project in Oklahoma City to begin on Jan. 12
A long-planned, $9.3 million streetscape project along the Route 66 alignment of NW 23rd Street in Oklahoma City is set to begin on Jan. 12. The Oklahoman newspaper reported that construction in the area will last about 18 months, but the street won't be closed entirely. Business owners and neighboring residents alike have long requested … Continue reading Construction on NW 23rd Street project in Oklahoma City to begin on Jan. 12
Route 66 at Wellston is fully reopened to traffic
Interstate 44 construction affecting Route 66 in Wellston, Oklahoma, was finally completed this month, reopening the highway to traffic for the first time and eliminating detours that had complicated travel through the area. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association recently passed along information about the reopening: The Oklahoma Department of Transportation stated that work would be … Continue reading Route 66 at Wellston is fully reopened to traffic