The state of Oklahoma last week filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit against Swadley's Bar-B-Q, and Oklahoma Tourism chief Jerry Winchester resigned after he and the small restaurant chain were implicated over allegations of fraud and overspending with concessions at six state parks. The contract is being investigated by state police and is undergoing an audit by … Continue reading Oklahoma Tourism leader resigns, state files suit against Swadley’s Bar-B-Q over park contract
Tag: El Reno
Oklahoma Tourism axes contract with Swadley’s Bar-B-Q due to suspected fraud
The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department this week canceled a state parks contract with Swadley's Bar-B-Q -- a regional chain with Route 66 roots -- “due to suspected fraudulent activity and questionable business practices.” The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has been investigating the contract for several weeks. The local district attorney and state auditor … Continue reading Oklahoma Tourism axes contract with Swadley’s Bar-B-Q due to suspected fraud
Federal legislation would designate Chisholm Trail a national historic trail
The 19th-century Chisholm Trail, which crosses Route 66 in western Oklahoma, is being considered by Congress for national historic trail designation, according to the state's lieutenant governor. Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who leads the state's tourism department, stated in a Facebook post a few days ago: No state can match Oklahoma’s heritage and history, … Continue reading Federal legislation would designate Chisholm Trail a national historic trail
First Buc-ee’s travel center along Route 66 planned in Springfield, Missouri
The Route 66 corridor appears to finally be getting a Buc-ee's convenience store, and it's coming to Springfield, Missouri. The Springfield News-Leader reported the huge travel center will be built at Mulroy Road and Interstate 44 on the city's northeast edge. Mulroy Road intersects with old Route 66 on the south side of the interstate. … Continue reading First Buc-ee’s travel center along Route 66 planned in Springfield, Missouri
A bit of holiday cheer from the Mother Road
It's Christmas Eve, and what better way to get into the holiday spirit than to see a few examples of great holiday decor than from Route 66? First, the Devil's Elbow Bridge in Devil's Elbow, Missouri, which has been decorated each Christmas season for nearly a decade: View this post on Instagram A post shared … Continue reading A bit of holiday cheer from the Mother Road
New U.S. 81 Rock Island Bridge that pays tribute to Route 66 opens in El Reno
State and local officials on Friday held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of a new U.S. 81 Rock Island Bridge in El Reno, Oklahoma, that pays tribute to the original span's Route 66 history. According to the El Reno Tribune, the ceremony for the new $10 million bridge included a performance by the … Continue reading New U.S. 81 Rock Island Bridge that pays tribute to Route 66 opens in El Reno
El Reno hosting a cruise Friday on the original alignment of Route 66
El Reno, Oklahoma, on Friday is hosting an intriguing event -- a cruise on the original alignment of Route 66 in the city. The cruise begins northbound on Shepard Avenue at Business 40 and U.S. 81, turns west onto Elm Street, turns north onto Hoff Avenue, turns west onto Wade Street, turns briefly north onto … Continue reading El Reno hosting a cruise Friday on the original alignment of Route 66
Latest RoadTripOK video focuses on El Reno, Yukon
The latest RoadTripOK video for Oklahoma Tourism focuses on attractions in the Route 66 towns of El Reno and Yukon. Here's where the crew went: Downtown El RenoSid's Diner in El RenoExpress Clydesdales in Yukon Here's the video: https://youtu.be/k-XlxxUG9U8 Last fall, the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department and Broken Arrow-based Retrospec Films announced they would launch a year-long series … Continue reading Latest RoadTripOK video focuses on El Reno, Yukon
County may rehabilitate an original stretch of Route 66 west of El Reno
Canadian County, Oklahoma, is looking at updates for a 12-mile stretch of original Route 66 west of El Reno, prompting concerns from historic preservationists. ROUTE Magazine flagged a story from the El Reno Tribune about the possible project from Fort Reno to the Cherokee Trading Post. The newspaper talked to county commissioner Jack Stewart: According … Continue reading County may rehabilitate an original stretch of Route 66 west of El Reno
Motel in El Reno destroyed by tornado; at least 2 dead
A tornado flattened the Budget Inn Motel along Route 66 in El Reno, Oklahoma, and killed at least two people. The twister also hit a trailer park and several businesses along the U.S. 81 (aka Route 66) corridor in the city about 10:30 p.m. Saturday, The Oklahoman reported. “I think El Reno Oklahoma needs a … Continue reading Motel in El Reno destroyed by tornado; at least 2 dead