A consultant for the city of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, has proposed tearing down five historic buildings in the downtown area to address parking concerns. The plan comes in the wake of a survey of residents by Planning Consultant Scott Bruce, which focused on a lack of parking on Dewey Avenue (aka Route 66) and easy access … Continue reading Sapulpa’s downtown parking plan threatens several historic buildings
Category: Towns
Planned $2 billion theme park near Vinita may not happen at all
Two years ago, a $2 billion theme park off Route 66 in Vinita, Oklahoma, was announced with much fanfare from the principals and area officials. Now, the Tulsa World reports that an apparent falling out between two of the project's principals has placed it in limbo. The newspaper reported the American Heartland theme park may … Continue reading Planned $2 billion theme park near Vinita may not happen at all
Five cities chosen as Official Satellite Cities for Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off
Five communities were designated as Official Satellite Cities for the Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off on April 30, 2026. The five Official Satellite Cities are Joliet, Illinois; St. Louis; Amarillo, Texas; Albuquerque; and Santa Monica, California. Those cities will join the live, online media event combined with Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off celebrations in Springfield, Missouri, which … Continue reading Five cities chosen as Official Satellite Cities for Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off
Sign proclaims Galena as “Home of the Sea Slug King of Kansas”
Talk about sparking people's curiosity. Right where Route 66 crosses the Missouri-Kansas state line near Galena, Kansas, just below the “Welcome to Galena” sign reads the message: “Home of the Sea Slug King of Kansas." Whaaa? KSNF-TV in nearby Joplin, Missouri, has the explanation: It started as a joke when Dale Oglesby thought he was … Continue reading Sign proclaims Galena as “Home of the Sea Slug King of Kansas”
Six satellite cities sought for Route 66 Centennial Kick-off in April
Cities along Route 66 are asked to submit proposals to participate in the official Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off on April 30, 2026. The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership will choose six official satellite cities for the Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off, starting with a live, online media event combined with celebrations in Springfield, Missouri, which is the … Continue reading Six satellite cities sought for Route 66 Centennial Kick-off in April
Springfield, Missouri, will host kickoff of Route 66 centennial celebrations
Springfield, Missouri, has been chosen from a national search to be the host city for the kickoff of Route 66's centennial celebrations next year. According to the Springfield News-Leader, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe announced Springfield had been selected by the U.S. National Route 66 Centennial Commission and the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership. As the … Continue reading Springfield, Missouri, will host kickoff of Route 66 centennial celebrations
Fire heavily damages Olive Oatman Restaurant & Saloon, Oatman General Store buildings
A fire on Thursday night heavily damaged the closed Olive Oatman Restaurant & Saloon and the adjoining Oatman General Store in downtown Oatman, Arizona. Fire crews first responded to the blaze at 9:52 p.m. local time, reported the Mohave Daily News. "I got a call last night at 9:45, there was a smell of smoke … Continue reading Fire heavily damages Olive Oatman Restaurant & Saloon, Oatman General Store buildings
Tulsa plans statewide Route 66 centennial celebration on May 30, 2026
The City of Tulsa is planning a statewide Route 66 centennial celebration on May 30, 2026, that includes a huge car parade and other events. News on 6 in Tulsa was the first to have the story, though details still are a bit fuzzy. One of the tentative events is a parade featuring thousands of … Continue reading Tulsa plans statewide Route 66 centennial celebration on May 30, 2026
Grant for Kendall Whittier neighborhood in Tulsa includes making a neon Route 66 shield
The Kendall Whittier neighborhood in Tulsa will receive a $130,000 grant from the state's Main Street program to create a neon Route 66 shield and other neon accents. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce announced the grants earlier this month. Nearby Sapulpa also received one. The Tulsa World reported on the Kendall-Whittier award: The Kendall Whittier Main … Continue reading Grant for Kendall Whittier neighborhood in Tulsa includes making a neon Route 66 shield
Route 66 Christmas Chute in Sapulpa taking a one-year break due to street work
The popular Route 66 Christmas Chute in downtown Sapulpa, Oklahoma, will take a break in 2025 because of a long-planned streetscape redesign on Dewey Street (aka Route 66). Organizers of the holiday event said it would resume in 2026, the same year as Route 66's centennial. The Route 66 Christmas Chute announced the one-year hiatus … Continue reading Route 66 Christmas Chute in Sapulpa taking a one-year break due to street work