What is the capital of Route 66?

Tulsa World newspaper columnist John Klein a few days ago wrote an essay with this provocative title: "Tulsa is already the heart of Route 66. Soon it will also be the capital of the Mother Road." Klein lays out his case with quotes from Route 66 Alliance officers Michael Wallis and Ken Busby, who hope … Continue reading What is the capital of Route 66?

Book review: “Pop 66”

"Pop 66," a collection of Wes Pope's black-and-white pinhole-camera images taken over a 20-year period on Route 66, contains plenty of intrigue. But it's Pope's text that elevates the book (hardcover, 115 pages, Press Syndication Group) into part travelogue, part family history.and part biography. Subtitled "A Dreamy Pop Can Odyssey Along Route 66," part of the … Continue reading Book review: “Pop 66”

Enhanced Tour added to Will Rogers Memorial in Claremore

The Will Rogers Memorial in Claremore, Oklahoma, recently added a multimedia Enhanced Tour as part of its offerings that pay tribute to the famed humorist, actor and writer. The Tulsa World newspaper reported how local history buff Brandi Glasscock took in the tour: Glasscock and her family got to hear the voice of Michael Wallis, … Continue reading Enhanced Tour added to Will Rogers Memorial in Claremore

Route 66-themed shop opening soon in Tulsa

An esteemed veteran of Tulsa's independent retail scene will open a shop along the city's Route 66 main corridor and focus on Mother Road-type items. Mary Beth Babcock, best known for establishing the Dwelling Spaces shop in downtown Tulsa, is scheduled to open her Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on Route 66 in a former gas … Continue reading Route 66-themed shop opening soon in Tulsa

Oklahoma’s black eye amid upcoming preservation conference

The Tulsa World this week published a preview of the “Are We There Yet? Preservation of Roadside Architecture and Attractions" symposium in Tulsa next month. The April 10-12 event is organized by National Park Service’s National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT), Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, Tulsa Foundation for Architecture, city of Tulsa, Tulsa … Continue reading Oklahoma’s black eye amid upcoming preservation conference

Michael Wallis reprises his Sheriff of Radiator Springs role for PSA

Michael Wallis, author of "Route 66: The Mother Road" and other best-selling books, this week reprised what probably remains his best-known role -- the Sheriff of Radiator Springs in the Disney-Pixar "Cars" animated movies -- for a video about the dangers of texting and driving. The video was shot with a replica of a 1949 … Continue reading Michael Wallis reprises his Sheriff of Radiator Springs role for PSA

A brief chat with Michael Wallis

The folks at #Unscripted recently posted this interview of author Michael Wallis that covers quite a bit of ground in just eight minutes. The interview was conducted in the lobby of the historic Campbell Hotel in Tulsa, along Route 66. In the video, Wallis explains: What motivated him to write his eventual best-selling "Route 66: … Continue reading A brief chat with Michael Wallis

Was the hamburger invented in Tulsa?

Recently, the Tulsa World newspaper published a series of articles that sought to verify or debunk a slew of local urban legends that have persisted in that Oklahoma city for years. One of urban legends oft-told: The hamburger was invented in more than 120 years ago in the Tulsa area, and the family that started … Continue reading Was the hamburger invented in Tulsa?

Route 66 Experience may break ground by spring

The long-planned Route 66 Experience facility in Tulsa may break ground by April or May 2018 and open to the public by November 2019 if all goes to plan, according to an email from the Route 66 Alliance's executive director. Ken Busby said about $13 million has been raised for the Route 66 Experience, which … Continue reading Route 66 Experience may break ground by spring

Michael and Suzanne Wallis honored by Tulsa Global Alliance

The Tulsa Global Alliance last week honored residents Michael and Suzanne Wallis for their decades of work promoting and contributing to the preservation of Route 66. The alliance's Global Vision Awards event's theme was "Route 66: Where the World Meets America." The Wallises were lauded for their 'outstanding contribution to Citizen Diplomacy." The author of 18 … Continue reading Michael and Suzanne Wallis honored by Tulsa Global Alliance