About Oklahoma Route 66 – Info & History
Oklahoma, a state steeped in both Native American history and the iconic lore of Route 66, proudly claims a significant portion of the Mother Road. While all eight states traversed by this historic highway celebrate their connection, Oklahoma’s embrace seems particularly fervent. This deep-seated pride stems from the very genesis of Route 66, conceived in Tulsa by Cyrus Avery, who envisioned a vital link between Chicago and Los Angeles.
Oklahoma’s Route 66 legacy is multifaceted. The state boasts more miles of the original highway than any other, a testament to its central role in the road’s creation and enduring appeal. It was also the first to proactively preserve its history, pioneering the installation of historical markers and establishing a state-sponsored Route 66 museum. Yet, paradoxically, Oklahoma also experienced the first major blow to the Mother Road’s original path, as the construction of I-44 in the mid-20th century severed a portion of the highway, leading to the decline of many businesses between Tulsa and Oklahoma City.
Beyond the iconic pavement, Oklahoma’s cultural landscape is richly interwoven with Native American heritage. Billboards throughout the state proudly showcase this legacy, a reminder that just over a century ago, Oklahoma served as a final refuge for numerous tribes before the 1890s land rush irrevocably altered their way of life.
The image of the "Okies," fleeing the Dust Bowl in the 1930s, is inextricably linked to Route 66. The Mother Road became a lifeline for an estimated 200,000 people escaping the catastrophic environmental disaster. Overloaded trucks, piled high with meager possessions, carried families westward toward California, driven by the hope of a better future. These migrants are a critical piece of About Oklahoma Route 66 – Info & History.
Furthermore, Oklahoma is the home of the National Historic Route 66 Association, a key organization responsible for promoting the Mother Road’s preservation and appreciation across all eight states. Each June, Tulsa hosts the International Route 66 Festival, an event that brings together enthusiasts from around the world to celebrate the highway’s enduring spirit.
The path of About Oklahoma Route 66 – Info & History largely follows the path of old wagon trails. Oklahoma’s segment of Route 66 meanders diagonally through the rolling hills of the northeast, cuts through the heart of the state, and then continues westward towards the Texas border. Along this historic route, travelers will discover a treasure trove of vintage buildings, quirky roadside attractions, and, perhaps most importantly, friendly locals eager to share their personal stories and experiences of the Mother Road’s golden era.
Although much of Route 66 in Oklahoma runs parallel to I-44 and I-40, it is still possible to traverse almost the entire route on the original pavement. This vintage highway, largely designated as a state highway, offers a tangible connection to the past, inviting travelers to slow down and immerse themselves in the unique charm of the Mother Road. The Mother Road holds many stories within About Oklahoma Route 66 – Info & History.
Starting your journey from the Kansas state line, the first town you encounter is Quapaw. This quaint community is adorned with beautiful murals on many of its buildings and is also known for the enigmatic Spooklight, a mysterious dancing ball of light that appears on a bluff called Devil’s Promenade. From Quapaw, the route leads through man-made mountains of chat, remnants of the region’s once-thriving lead and zinc mining industry, toward the town of Commerce, the childhood home of baseball legend Mickey Mantle. About Oklahoma Route 66 – Info & History has a lot of roadside attractions.
A short drive from Commerce brings you to Miami, the first town established in Indian Territory. Here, the meticulously preserved Coleman Theatre, built in 1929, stands as a testament to the opulence and grandeur of a bygone era. Just outside of Miami lies the last remaining section of the original nine-foot-wide "Ribbon Road," a narrow strip of pavement that has been designated as both an Oklahoma State Historic Site and a National Historic Landmark. This unique stretch of vintage highway zigzags for 13 miles between Miami and Afton.
Upon reaching Afton, travelers are transported back in time. The remnants of the Rest Haven Motel and the beautifully restored Afton Station offer a glimpse into the town’s past as a bustling stop along Route 66. In Vinita, Clanton’s Cafe beckons hungry travelers with its classic diner fare and a history of family ownership spanning generations. Leaving Vinita, the route continues through a series of smaller towns, including White Oak, Chelsea, and Foyil. From Foyil, a worthwhile detour leads to Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park, located just four miles east of town. Here, visitors can marvel at the world’s largest concrete totem pole, a towering monument meticulously constructed over eleven years, from 1937 to 1948, along with a diverse collection of other folk art sculptures.
The next stop is Claremore, the hometown of Will Rogers, the beloved American humorist and entertainer. Continuing towards Catoosa, travelers encounter the iconic Blue Whale attraction, a whimsical roadside landmark that has captivated visitors for decades. Once a separate town located outside of Tulsa, Catoosa has since become a suburb of the rapidly expanding "Tulsey Town." Tulsa itself offers numerous glimpses of the old Mother Road, with vintage motels lining 10th and 11th streets and striking art deco buildings gracing the downtown skyline.
Beyond Tulsa, Route 66 winds through another series of small towns, including Sapulpa, the site of the original Rock Creek Bridge; Kellyville; and Bristow, where Russ’ Ribs serves up a mouthwatering pork rib dinner plate.
Nearby, Depew presents a charming view of several vintage buildings in its compact downtown area before entering Stroud, the home of the iconic Rock Cafe, a Route 66 landmark. Continuing onward, the route passes through Davenport before arriving in Chandler, a town steeped in Wild West history and the location of the last gunfight that claimed the life of lawman Bill Tilghman. Chandler also boasts the historic Lincoln Motel, established in 1939, and a meticulously restored Phillips 66 cottage-style gas station. Just west of town, an old Meramec Caverns barn stands as the last of its kind along Oklahoma’s Mother Road.
The towns of Warwick, Wellston, and Luther offer glimpses of vintage gas stations and tourist camps before reaching Arcadia, home to the famous Round Barn. Built in 1898, the Arcadia Round Barn is one of the most photographed landmarks on the Mother Road, a testament to its unique architecture and enduring appeal.
As you approach Edmond, the suburbs of Oklahoma City begin. In the past, the Mother Road passed by the state capital building’s oil rigs, a reminder of the state’s rich oil heritage. As you leave the city, several vintage motels and restaurants appear, offering a taste of the road’s storied past.
The route soon leads you across the Overholser Steel Truss Bridge in Bethany before entering Yukon, the hometown of country music superstar Garth Brooks. At El Reno, you will cross the historic Chisholm Trail before continuing into a string of smaller towns: Calumet, Geary, and Bridgeport, now designated as an official ghost town.
Nearby Hydro is home to Lucille Hamons Station, built in 1927. Lucille, affectionately known as the Mother of the Mother Road, operated the station and store for an impressive 59 years until her passing.
The journey continues through Weatherford on the way to Clinton, the location of the first state-operated Route 66 Museum. Clinton also holds a unique piece of music history, as Elvis Presley once stayed at the Trade Winds Courtyard Inn.
Next, the ghost town of Foss comes into view before heading west through Canute on the way to Elk City, which houses another excellent Route 66 Museum within the Old Town Museum complex. The Beckham County Courthouse, located near Sayre, was famously featured in the movie The Grapes of Wrath.
I-40 brought about the demise of two more Route 66 towns, Hext and Texola, situated on either side of Erick, the hometown of musician Roger Miller.
Traveling the Mother Road through Oklahoma provides a diverse experience, encompassing a variety of restaurants, architectural styles, historic buildings, and ruins scattered throughout its quaint small towns and bustling metro cities. Enjoy the open stretches of highway, winding roads, and numerous parks and lakes before venturing onto the staked plains of Texas. The open stretches are part of the great experience of About Oklahoma Route 66 – Info & History.