As the Mother Road marks its 99th anniversary, Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell and the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission this week unveiled early plans and programming for the Route 66 centennial in 2026. The yearlong celebration will spotlight Oklahoma’s role in preserving and promoting one of America’s most storied highways. The announcement kicks off … Continue reading Oklahoma announces plans for Route 66 centennial celebration
Tag: Oklahoma City
National Cowboy Museum to open Route 66 exhibition in February
The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City will open the "Route 66: From Trails to Truck Stops" exhibition starting in early February. The exhibition will run from Feb. 6 to May 4, during Route 66's centennial year. Cowgirl Magazine had more details: Visitors will see artifacts, maps, photographs and multimedia displays tracing … Continue reading National Cowboy Museum to open Route 66 exhibition in February
Commission votes to install Route 66 neon boot at Cowboy Museum in Oklahoma City
The Oklahoma City Arts Commission this week approved an agreement to install the big Route 66 boot at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. The "Kicks 66" art project still requires approval from the city council before it can proceed, reported KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City. The original proposed location was on Classen Boulevard, on … Continue reading Commission votes to install Route 66 neon boot at Cowboy Museum in Oklahoma City
Rock Cafe, Ike’s Chili among recipients of Backing Historic Small Restaurants grants
Several eateries along Route 66 will receive $50,000 each from the Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant program. The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced the 50 recipients on Monday. Among the Route 66 restaurants are: Rock Cafe, Stroud, Oklahoma (since 1939) Ike's Chili, Tulsa (since 1908) The Barn - Route 66, Newberry Springs, California (since … Continue reading Rock Cafe, Ike’s Chili among recipients of Backing Historic Small Restaurants grants
35-foot-tall neon boot that pays tribute to “Route 66” song proposed in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City chose a public art design that features a huge neon boot, paying tribute to the iconic song "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66." As OKCTalk reported recently, the city will set aside $875,000 in voter-approved MAPS 4 sales-tax funds for the project. More details: The central element of Kicks 66 is a 35-foot-tall … Continue reading 35-foot-tall neon boot that pays tribute to “Route 66” song proposed in Oklahoma City
National Trust announces a total of 25 Route 66 Legacy Business Grant awards
The National Trust for Historic Preservation on Wednesday announced the latest selections for its Route 66 Legacy Business Grant Program, part of its Preserve Route 66 initiative. Twenty-five grants were awarded in all eight states that Route 66 goes through for a total of $227,323. Here is the list of awarded projects and dollar amounts: … Continue reading National Trust announces a total of 25 Route 66 Legacy Business Grant awards
“Samantha Brown’s Places to Love” goes on Route 66 from Tulsa through Texas
The latest episode of "Samantha Brown's Places to Love" aired on PBS, where she travels on Route 66 west from Tulsa through the Texas Panhandle to the New Mexico border. Over 25 minutes, she visits Threatt Filling Station in Luther, Oklahoma; First Americans Museum and a neon artist in Oklahoma City; Sid's Diner in El … Continue reading “Samantha Brown’s Places to Love” goes on Route 66 from Tulsa through Texas
Cattlemen’s Steakhouse in Oklahoma City sold to out-of-state buyer
The iconic Cattlemen's Steakhouse, Oklahoma City's oldest restaurant, was recently sold to an out-of-state entity. The Oklahoman newspaper reports the previous owner, Dick Stubbs, wanted to retire. The restaurant's longtime operating partner, Dick Egan, told the newspaper the new owner won't make big changes. The transaction with the out-of-state buyer came with a very specific … Continue reading Cattlemen’s Steakhouse in Oklahoma City sold to out-of-state buyer
Oklahoma City approves funds to convert Gold Dome into a concert venue
The Oklahoma City Council this week approved $3 million in tax-increment financing money to help convert the iconic but long-closed Gold Dome bank building into a concert venue. According to The Oklahoman newspaper, the council voted 7-1 to make the money available through a loan to Mike Brown of Tulsa-based Kismet Koncerts. During a presentation … Continue reading Oklahoma City approves funds to convert Gold Dome into a concert venue
Oklahoma City armory to become a concert venue instead of a hotel-brewery development
The historic armory building along Route 66 in Oklahoma City will become a concert venue instead after a plan to develop it into a hotel and microbrewery stalled. The Oklahoman newspaper reported that the new, $23 million project for the armory would be led by Oklahoma City investor Mark Fischer and Arkansas-based Beaty Capital Group, … Continue reading Oklahoma City armory to become a concert venue instead of a hotel-brewery development