Neon sign returned to Skyliner Motel in Stroud after its restoration

The owners of the Skyliner Motel in Stroud, Oklahoma, on Saturday celebrated the return and restoration of the vintage neon sign there. Here are some images from the event, via the Route 66 motel's page on Facebook: Earlier this summer, the motel posted images of the sign being taken down and its restoration: Charles Palmer … Continue reading Neon sign returned to Skyliner Motel in Stroud after its restoration

Oklahoma announces plans for Route 66 centennial celebration

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

Construction on Route 66 Park in Sapulpa to begin next month

The city council of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, last week unanimously chose a contractor to build the Route 66 Park west of town so it would be ready by the highway's centennial next year. According to the Sapulpa Times, Magnum Construction's low bid of nearly $2.1 million won. The new park will include numerous points of interest … Continue reading Construction on Route 66 Park in Sapulpa to begin next month

Groundbreaking set for Feb. 6 for Hydro Route 66 Bridge Monument

The chamber of commerce of Hydro, Oklahoma, recently announced a groundbreaking for the Route 66 Bridge Monument project. The event will be at 11 a.m. on Feb. 6, where old Route 66 intersects with Highway 58 on the south side of town. The town will relocate and restore a decommissioned Route 66 bridge at the … Continue reading Groundbreaking set for Feb. 6 for Hydro Route 66 Bridge Monument

Restored neon sign installed at Rock Cafe in Stroud

The historic neon sign at the Rock Cafe in Stroud, Oklahoma, has a new glow after it was restored with a grant from the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission with the aid of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association. The sign dates to the 1940s and was re-installed a few days ago. https://youtu.be/M0OXCTtSGV0 And Rich Dinkela, president … Continue reading Restored neon sign installed at Rock Cafe in Stroud

Relighting ceremony held for former Saratoga Motor Inn sign in Tulsa

The Wings of Freedom sober-living organization held a relighting ceremony Friday night for the repurposed, 66-foot-tall neon sign at the former Saratoga Motor Inn in Tulsa. Ken Busby of the Route 66 Alliance in Tulsa was there to capture the moment in video: Red Fork Depot in Tulsa also posted this image: More from Cloudless … Continue reading Relighting ceremony held for former Saratoga Motor Inn sign in Tulsa

Claremore unveils its Route 66 Centennial marker

The City of Claremore, Oklahoma, and the state's Route 66 Centennial Commission on Monday unveiled the second Route 66 centennial marker in the Sooner State. Here's what it looks like: Monday also happened to be the anniversary of when U.S. 66 was federally certified in 1926. According to KJRH-TV in Tulsa, the first centennial marker … Continue reading Claremore unveils its Route 66 Centennial marker

New video series spotlights Route 66 revitalization efforts in Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Department of Commerce recently launched a new video series that touts the agency's efforts to revitalize Route 66 before the highway's centennial in 2026. In late 2023, the agency launched the Route 66 grants program, allowing communities to apply for funding for municipalities, nonprofits and government entities on Route 66. To date, 24 projects have … Continue reading New video series spotlights Route 66 revitalization efforts in Oklahoma

New Oklahoma Route 66 grants go to Blue Whale improvements, giant dinosaur, neon projects

The Oklahoma Route 66 Commission announced more than $6.6 million in grants, including improvements to the Blue Whale in Catoosa, a 66-foot dinosaur in Tulsa and multiple neon-sign initiatives. The grants, initially reported by the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, cover 13 Route 66-related projects in the Sooner State. More about the grants can be found … Continue reading New Oklahoma Route 66 grants go to Blue Whale improvements, giant dinosaur, neon projects

Hydro wins $496,000 state grant to build Welcome to Hydro Route 66 Experience

The Hydro Chamber of Commerce of Hydro, Oklahoma, announced the village had received a $496,000 grant from the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission to build a "Welcome to Hydro Route 66 Experience." It will be built at the four-way stop at Route 66 and Highway 58, the north-south road leading into Hydro, and yards off … Continue reading Hydro wins $496,000 state grant to build Welcome to Hydro Route 66 Experience