“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

Michael Wallis among those to be inducted into Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame

Michael Wallis, best known for his bestselling "Route 66: The Mother Road," will be inducted this spring with a Lifetime Achievement Award into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame. The induction will start at 11:30 a.m. on May 14 in the grand ballroom of the Nigh University Center at the University of Central Oklahoma in … Continue reading Michael Wallis among those to be inducted into Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame

Oklahoma Educational Television Authority airs “Route 66: The First 100 Years”

Recently, the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority debuted a 27-minute documentary, "Route 66: The First 100 Years," on many PBS stations in the Sooner State. The entire documentary can be viewed online here. Below is a trailer: https://youtu.be/flXNvvYjiN8?si=uRavDz98KO68MawA In it, you'll find many Oklahoma Route 66 authorities such as Jerry McClanahan, Jim Ross, Rhys Martin, Michael … Continue reading Oklahoma Educational Television Authority airs “Route 66: The First 100 Years”

Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series to begin next month

Research Route 66 will kick off a Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series in January, when the first guest is David Dunaway, talking about "The Hidden Voices of Route 66." Throughout the series, participants will hear about diverse topics that highlight Route 66’s impact and legacy. Sessions will cover the history of foodways along the road, … Continue reading Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series to begin next month

Book review: “Route 66: The First 100 Years”

As Route 66's centennial next year approaches, the first book that takes a retrospective look at the highway and looks ahead at its next century has entered the market. That book is the sumptuously illustrated "Route 66: The First 100 Years" (Amazon affiliate link) by the husband-and-wife team of Jim Ross and Shellee Graham, both … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66: The First 100 Years”

Here’s how to send a card for Angel Delgadillo’s 98th birthday

A reader noted that longtime Route 66 advocate Angel Delgadillo will be celebrating his birthday -- his 98th -- later this month and thought it would be nice if a bunch of roadies sent him birthday cards. After checking with employees at his gift shop in Seligman, Arizona, they provided a proper mailing address for … Continue reading Here’s how to send a card for Angel Delgadillo’s 98th birthday

TV travel host Samantha Brown travels Route 66 from St. Louis to Tulsa

A few roadies have recommended this, and upon watching it, so do I. The "Samantha Brown's Places to Love" travel show on PBS-TV recently aired. This 25-minute episode features Route 66 from St. Louis to Tulsa. It includes Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, Gearhead Curios, Uranus Missouri, a mural artist in Cuba, Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios … Continue reading TV travel host Samantha Brown travels Route 66 from St. Louis to Tulsa

Circle Cinema in Tulsa to host free screening of “Route 66: An American Odyssey” on Nov. 11

The historic Circle Cinema in Tulsa will host a rare and free screening of John Paget's film "Route 66: An American Odyssey" with a question-and-answer session with the filmmaker and the film's narrator and host, Michael Wallis. A reception will be held in the venue's lobby at 6 p.m. Nov. 11, with the screening at … Continue reading Circle Cinema in Tulsa to host free screening of “Route 66: An American Odyssey” on Nov. 11

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

Tulsa officially earns “Capital of Route 66” title

Several towns along the Mother Road for years have claimed to be the "Capital of Route 66." But the City of Tulsa and the Tulsa Route 66 Commission ensured it isn't just an idle boast. After a lengthy process, Tulsa officially secured a federal copyright for "Capital of Route 66." According to KJRH-TV and other … Continue reading Tulsa officially earns “Capital of Route 66” title