Longtime owner of Jamil’s restaurant in Tulsa dies

Tyrone Elias, owner of the landmark Jamil's restaurant in Tulsa for about 40 years, died Friday after a short illness. He was 80. Jamil's, which sits off Interstate 44 (aka Oklahoma 66) in Tulsa, boasted other ties to the Mother Road during its history. According to an obituary in the Tulsa World: Elias was born … Continue reading Longtime owner of Jamil’s restaurant in Tulsa dies

Circle Cinema in Tulsa to mark 90th year with July festival

The Circle Cinema in Tulsa will mark the 90th anniversary of its opening with a film festival that includes appearances by longtime film stars Mary Kay Place and Jeanne Tripplehorn, both who are Tulsa natives. The Tulsa World reported the July 8-15 event also will include an appearance by Tulsa resident Peggy Helmerich, known as … Continue reading Circle Cinema in Tulsa to mark 90th year with July festival

Brookshire Motel in Tulsa faces possible demolition

The historic but long-closed Brookshire Motel in Tulsa faces a possible wrecking ball amid the city's continuing efforts to revitalize Route 66 in the region. The Tulsa World reported: With a bright neon sign and charming, cottage-style office, the Brookshire epitomizes the affordable, roadside motels that catered to Route 66 traffic during the Mother Road’s … Continue reading Brookshire Motel in Tulsa faces possible demolition

Tulsa Route 66 Commission starts to get serious with its tasks

The Tulsa Route 66 Commission has met for nearly two years, but the proverbial rubber is meeting the Mother Road with the panel close to finishing its first budget. The panel's funding of $262,500 in Vision sales-tax money begins in fiscal year 2019, which means the group must allocate the money by July 1. According … Continue reading Tulsa Route 66 Commission starts to get serious with its tasks

Ann’s Bakery in Tulsa to close in late July

Ann's Bakery, which has operated on the older alignment of Route 66 in Tulsa since 1940, will close at the end of July. Shannon Harris, granddaughter of the bakery's founders, told the Tulsa World about its impending closure. “We love our customers and the bakery and how everybody supported us, but it is time to … Continue reading Ann’s Bakery in Tulsa to close in late July

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

Several Route 66 cities receive brownfield grants

Several large Route 66 cities will receive brownfield grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency "to assess, clean up and redevelop underutilized properties while protecting public health and the environment." According to a news release from the agency, 144 cities will receive a total of $54.3 million. Here are the Route 66 communities that will receive … Continue reading Several Route 66 cities receive brownfield grants

Oklahoma teachers march on Route 66 to demand better education funding

If you've driven on Route 66 between Tulsa and Oklahoma City in the past few days, you may have noticed dozens of people walking along the old Mother Road. Many are schoolteachers who vowed to walk 110 miles on Route 66 in a week's time to demand better pay and better funding of the state's … Continue reading Oklahoma teachers march on Route 66 to demand better education funding

Mitla Cafe featured in Netflix’s “Ugly Delicious” episode

The historic Mitla Cafe in San Bernardino, California, plays a vital role in the "Tacos" episode of the Netflix-produced "Ugly Delicious" documentary food series. The show stars chef David Chang and co-host Peter Meehan "on a mouth-watering, cross-cultural hunt for the world's most satisfying grub." The "Tacos" episode embarks on usual destinations such as Mexico … Continue reading Mitla Cafe featured in Netflix’s “Ugly Delicious” episode

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