City of Tulsa taking a survey to help update its Route 66 master plan

The city of Tulsa is conducting an online survey for a master plan update, called Plan 66, for its Route 66 corridor. The Tulsa Planning Office stated on its website: Over the past 15 years since the original Route 66 Enhancements and Promotion Master Plan of Development was released, several initiatives have been implemented. A Master Plan … Continue reading City of Tulsa taking a survey to help update its Route 66 master plan

Howard Park in Tulsa may be converted into an RV park

Tulsa's historic Howard Park may be converted into an RV park to help capitalize on its location on Route 66. According to Public Radio Tulsa: Tulsa County Deputy Treasurer John Fothergill made the pitch for putting out a request for proposals to build an RV park with up to 70 spaces. Fothergill said a set … Continue reading Howard Park in Tulsa may be converted into an RV park

Blake Shelton concert to be simulcast at 300 drive-ins, including three on Route 66

Country star Blake Shelton announced Wednesday he will perform a concert July 25 that will be simulcast at 300 drive-in theaters across the United States -- another sign drive-ins became suddenly viable venues amid the coronavirus pandemic. Guest stars will include Shelton's wife, Gwen Stefani, and another country star, Trace Adkins. Prices will be about $115 … Continue reading Blake Shelton concert to be simulcast at 300 drive-ins, including three on Route 66

New video cites Route 66 as a reason for Tulsa to land a Tesla truck plant

Tulsa is vying to land a new Tesla Motors truck plant against Austin, Texas. Tulsa looked for a way to separate itself from its competitor. With the help of the Route 66 Alliance and founder Michael Wallis, they came up with this two-minute video: https://youtu.be/2xKWhn66Fbc Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, voiced his approval of Tulsa's efforts … Continue reading New video cites Route 66 as a reason for Tulsa to land a Tesla truck plant

300 drive-in theaters to screen a one-night-only concert of Garth Brooks

Country music superstar Garth Brooks will perform a one-night-only show at 300 drive-in theaters across the United States, including one at the Admiral Twin Drive-In in Tulsa, a Route 66 landmark. The show will be beamed to the theaters beginning at dusk on June 27. Some details weren't known, but several drive-in theaters stated the … Continue reading 300 drive-in theaters to screen a one-night-only concert of Garth Brooks

A chat with Mary Beth Babcock, owner of Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on Route 66

Last week, Tim Landes of TulsaPeople magazine sat down for a chat with Mary Beth Babcock, owner of the Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66 shop in Tulsa. For the uninitiated, the gift shop in a repurposed gas station at 1347 E. 11th St. (aka Route 66) not only commissioned its own Muffler Man fiberglass … Continue reading A chat with Mary Beth Babcock, owner of Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on Route 66

Retiring Public Radio Tulsa director plans books on Route 66 motels, theaters in Tulsa

Pierce Pennant Terminal in Tulsa Steve Clem, operations director at Public Radio Tulsa for 11 years, retired last week from his post and is planning two books about defunct theaters and Route 66 motels in that city. During a Q&A session with his now-former employer, Clem revealed about projects he has in the hopper: PRT: … Continue reading Retiring Public Radio Tulsa director plans books on Route 66 motels, theaters in Tulsa

Tulsa wants its own Route 66 asset survey to account for city’s older alignment

The Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office will conduct a survey of historic assets along Route 66, but the Tulsa Route 66 Commission wants to conduct its own survey that includes the city's older alignment near downtown. According to Public Radio Tulsa: The state is taking an inventory of structures like movie theaters, gas stations and … Continue reading Tulsa wants its own Route 66 asset survey to account for city’s older alignment

Statue of Liberty replicas contain their own historical cachet

A story in the Tulsa World over the weekend sent me down a rabbit hole to find more about small-but-nicely-crafted replicas of the Statue of Liberty that were installed in 200 towns across America seven decades ago. The Tulsa newspaper noted the 8 1/2-foot-tall Statue of Liberty at 17th Street and South Harvard Avenue in … Continue reading Statue of Liberty replicas contain their own historical cachet

Tulsa gives on up on trying to save Brookshire Motel, will try to save sign instead

The Tulsa Route 66 Commission has given up trying to save the closed Brookshire Motel after a fire scorched it for the third time in 15 months. It instead will focus on trying to buy and preserve its neon sign. A man's body was found on the property after the latest fire last week. According … Continue reading Tulsa gives on up on trying to save Brookshire Motel, will try to save sign instead