Chrysler Plymouth tower sign in Bristow dismantled for restoration

The 110-foot-tall Chrysler Plymouth tower sign in Bristow, Oklahoma, was taken apart Monday so it can be restored and then reassembled on Route 66 in the city. Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, snapped a few photos of the job: Encino Signs in nearby Tulsa has been contracted to restore the sign. … Continue reading Chrysler Plymouth tower sign in Bristow dismantled for restoration

Oklahoma Route 66 Association president is keynote speaker for Miles of Possibility Conference

The annual Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference, scheduled for Oct. 9-11 in Joliet, Illinois, recently announced that Rhys Martin, author, photographer and president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, will be the event's keynote speaker. The conference's main activities will be at the Joliet Area Historical Museum. The conference stated in a news release … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Association president is keynote speaker for Miles of Possibility Conference

State of Oklahoma issues new state map that commemorates Route 66

Last week, the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission announced the launch of a Route 66 commemorative map for the Sooner State. Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who also leads the state's tourism agency and is a big proponent of Route 66, attended a news conference at the state Capitol to promote the 2025-2026 map. The maps … Continue reading State of Oklahoma issues new state map that commemorates Route 66

Route 66 Postcard Road Trip named as finalist in StoryMaps competition

The National Trust for Historic Preservation's Route 66 Postcard Road Trip has been selected as one of 11 finalists in the Humanities category for the 2024 ArcGIS StoryMaps competition. The Route 66 Postcard Road Trip was selected from over 570 submissions from student and professional storytellers invited to “build stories about the world they want to see.” … Continue reading Route 66 Postcard Road Trip named as finalist in StoryMaps competition

Route 66 Christmas Tree Farm in Tulsa opens to the public

Part art installation and roadside attraction, the Route 66 Christmas Tree Farm in southwest Tulsa opened to the public last weekend. It is the brainchild of Josh and Amanda Stout, who own an art gallery across the street. Last winter, they put out a call for artificial Christmas trees -- not expecting they would receive … Continue reading Route 66 Christmas Tree Farm in Tulsa opens to the public

Donated paint from Benjamin Moore helps spruce up Galena Mining & Historical Museum

Paint donated by Benjamin Moore Paints through a National Trust for Historic Preservation program helped brighten up the Galena Mining and Historical Museum along Route 66 in Galena, Kansas. Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and new manager of the National Trust's Preserve Route 66 Initiative program, recently posted this video of … Continue reading Donated paint from Benjamin Moore helps spruce up Galena Mining & Historical Museum

Tulsa Route 66 Neon Sign Grant Program hits five-year mark

The Route 66 Neon Sign Grant Program in Tulsa recently marked the fifth anniversary since the first sign restored by the program was delighted. Susan Yates, a resident of the area, on Facebook took note of the five-year mark since the sign at Billy Ray's BBQ & Catfish restaurant in west Tulsa was restored. You … Continue reading Tulsa Route 66 Neon Sign Grant Program hits five-year mark

Rhys Martin becomes manager of National Trust’s Preserve Route 66 Initiative

The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced that Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin joined the National Trust as manager of the Preserve Route 66 Initiative last month.  Martin, who hails from Tulsa, joins Amy Webb, who leads the Preserve Route 66 Initiative’s cross-Trust team. The initiative provides preservation grants, assistance and advocacy to help … Continue reading Rhys Martin becomes manager of National Trust’s Preserve Route 66 Initiative

Oklahoma Route 66 Association hires new executive director

Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin announced this week that Julie Akers has been hired as the organization's new executive director. Akers replaces longtime executive director Marilyn Emde, who retired in 2022 after almost 20 years at the helm. Martin stated in a news release: She brings more than a decade of experience working … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Association hires new executive director

Jerry McClanahan, the late Bunny Neff inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame

Longtime Route 66 artist and researcher Jerry McClanahan of Chandler, Oklahoma, was inducted Saturday into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton. The other inductee was the late Jeannette “Bunny” Neff of Sayre, Oklahoma, who advocated for Route 66 in the western part of the state for … Continue reading Jerry McClanahan, the late Bunny Neff inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame