Why Sapulpa?

Three answers to a growing question

Sapulpa’s growth can be told in numbers and national publicity, a more compelling story is found in the decisions of three businessmen who relocated to Sapulpa and answered the question, “Why Sapulpa?”

While details of their moves differ in the details, the bottom line for all three comes down to two real estate and “business school” cliches: “Location, location, location,” and “cost, cost, cost.” (Not to be ignored, however, is a third: the welcoming Sapulpa community.)

Three who made the move to this bright spot on Route 66 are David Reed, John Droz and Michael Jones.

The 2017 tornado that severely damaged Tulsa’s iconic Remington Tower on I-44 prompted Reed’s move. “We expected to move back in when the building was renovated, but that didn’t happen,” Reed recalls. After spending two years in temporary offices in Tulsa and the retirement of one of the firm’s founders, “we were considering a number of possibilities when I received a call from Will Berry, at D.C. Bass and Sons Construction Company. His offices are on Hobson, and he suggested that I call Larry White about a building he had on Hobson.

“I ended up having my team, which was eight at the time, spend a day in Sapulpa—touring the city and downtown, looking at this building and several other locations. I didn’t want to lose any of the team members, including one living in Owasso.

“Fortunately, they fell in love with the building and the town. I also wanted to make sure there were no client issues—such as Tulsa Public Schools. They were supportive saying that Sapulpa is part of the community we live in.

Reed purchased the building at 18 E. Hobson, which at various times was a livery stable, automotive garage, carpentry shop, glass blowing plant and an event venue— and following the renovation— moved the staff into the new home of Reed Architecture and Interiors.

The personal touch for Reed was that “Sapulpa is my adopted hometown and I’ve always felt welcome here.”

John Droz’s story involved four professionals working for an engineering firm in Tulsa. “Four of us were going to downtown Tulsa every day. I had been living in Sapulpa since 2001 and like the feel of the community. Fact is, I love living in a town the size of Sapulpa—the people are welcoming here and we couldn’t be happier.”

Part of that happiness from a business standpoint is that “rent is way better here, and in regard to Tulsa if you are commuting and your work is in Sapulpa, you are against traffic both coming and going—it is a quicker commute.” The company, Route 66 Engineering, is a Sapulpa startup, and is involved in site development, “that could be said to be everything on the outside of a building—grading, paving, sidewalks, etc.,” notes Droz, from offices at 28 N. Water.

Michael Jones, owner of the then Broken Arrow based-Gasoline Alley Classics, had been involved in the Sapulpa Route 66 Blowout Car Show and was visiting Sapulpa Main Street’s Director Cindy Lawrence to talk over show details some eight years ago.

“I’ve always loved Sapulpa’s downtown and Route 66—my family and I have traveled both directions on Route 66 and have seen the good and the not so good downtowns on it. One thing led to another and Cindy suggested that I take a look at a building on the southwest corner of Hobson and Main.”

Historian Pete Egan showed Jones a photo from 1917 when the building was Sapulpa Motor Company—Ford cars and trucks

“My family and I talked and prayed, and the price was right, and we bought it from the Williams family. I also consulted my accountant and he told me, “You should have stupid printed on your forehead if you didn’t buy this building.”

“Over seven years and two months my family and friends did 90 percent of the work to bring the building to its opening in 2022,” Today, Gasoline Alley Classics, Inc. manufactures game room, garage, and Man Cave décor, as well as a sign shop and powder coating services from 18 E. Hobson.

Looking back and ahead, Jones says, “Sapulpa was kind of a Rip Van Winkle, content with where it was, but now the city is moving forward. We’re fortunate to have so many great buildings still standing, and are either being renovated or

Droz, who has the added perspective of living in Sapulpa since 2001 notes, “In the last five years, we’ve seen downtown with four or five places open to “a ton of businesses and companies moving in.” He expects that trend to continue.

Reed is confident that “Hobson will be another area of revitalization—we’re working

Will Berry and his company DC Bass. ‘Rumble Fish Alley’ [a Sapulpa alley that was in a scene in the 1983 Francis Ford Coppola movie “Rumble Fish”] has been refurbished and will extend from Hobson to Dewey to Lee.” like Sapulpa, his company is growing—now counting 14 employees.

Why Sapulpa? Why not!

The Future is Now…

…in downtown Sapulpa

You won’t see many empty storefronts and bleak parking lots along Route 66 (also known as Dewey Avenue) in downtown Sapulpa. What you will see is a downtown’s dream of revitalization that is happening before its visitors’ and citizens’ eyes.

Fortunately, the foundation upon which this renaissance is being built was not destroyed by haphazard attempts at revitalization that featured demolition as its primary mode of “improvement.” When a building had to come down, the impulse wasn’t to cover the resulting area over with paving and stripes and turn it into an empty parking lot—as has been done in some cities.

No, in Sapulpa an example of exemplary downtown land use when a building is demolished is found at the corner of Dewey and Water—a beautiful urban pocket park and green spot know as Martha’s Corner—a meeting place and quiet respite for visitors and Sapulpans alike.

On a larger scale, both businesses and residents are moving to a newly vibrant downtown.

On an even larger scale the now-nationally- recognized Christmas Chute has not only been a boost for downtown’s redevelopment but has shown what the people of Sapulpa can do through a commitment to not only preserve, but grow its downtown.

Built through $800,000 in private donations (and over 600 volunteers), the Route 66 Christmas Chute, a three-block Christmas Walk, with 15,000 feet of decorations, 15,000 feet of garland, 8,500 icicles, 1,100 giant ornaments, and 35,000 lights. The Chute attracted an estimated 500,000 visitors from states such as New Mexico and North Dakota, and countries such as Finland and New Zealand. It has not only been a tourist attraction and point of pride for the community, but also an economic boost. One merchant noted that during the first month of the opening of the Christmas Chute, their store’s revenue equaled that of the previous eleven months. The kind of numbers that show the potential of Sapulpa’s historic downtown is starting to realize.

Extensive local and regional media coverage turned into national recognition through NBC’s popular Today Show as Sapulpa got national recognition as one of the “Merriest Main Streets” in America.

Phase 2 of the alley project includes outdoor dining space, numerous gathering areas and public restrooms.

As an urbanologist would say, it takes more than a singular event to move a downtown the right direction. Examples of that happening include new businesses. Gasoline Alley Classics, a remarkable Route 66 automobile memorabilia shop, is thriving in a former Model T assembly facility and car dealership. (An address that through the years was also a hotel, tire shop, sewing center, and mattress store—among other businesses.)

Former second and third story apartments above retail and other venues on Route 66 are being repurposed. Examples include the Airbnb located upstairs in the former City Hall.

Indicative of how renovation spawns more renovation, a structure that was originally a livery stable when built in 1904, is now the home of Reed

The Route 66 Christmas Chute brought thousands of people into downtown Sapulpa for the holidays.

Architecture—and this is located on Hobson St, the first street north of Route 66 and Dewey Avenue— showing how the renovation seed can grow. Ambitious plans are underway to create an entertainment area along Hobson—further expanding the footprint of downtown renovation. Part of the downtown master plan calls for alleys to be rehabilitated into pathways connecting different parts of downtown. Phase one was completed in 2022 and work will soon begin on the next phase. Phase 2 will include outdoor dining spaces, numerous gathering areas and public restrooms.

More pocket parks are being developed, alleys are being renovated, and restaurants are making plans to join Sapulpa’s thriving casual dining scene. All this has created an increase of visitors to a historic downtown that is looking forward to the next 100 years. Sapulpa is drawing up plans for the 100-year anniversary of Route 66 in 2026.

Driving Route 66

From west to east in Sapulpa

Entering Sapulpa on Route 66 from the west, you know that you’re in Sapulpa when you see the rennovated TeePee Drive-In on the north side of the road. Refurbished in 2022, its grand opening in 2023 will bring back not only memories of nights at the movies in the comfort of your own car, but it will introduce a new generation to that summertime experience. As you pass the Drive-In, you’ll see an example of one of the few remaining steel truss bridges in Oklahoma—the Rock Creek Bridge.

Continuing on Route 66, see the world’s largest gas pump that will signal to you that you have arrived at the Route 66 Auto Museum with its collection of rare and unusual vintage automobiles that once shared the road you are travelling on.

Across from the Museum is Sapulpa’s Municipal Rock Creek Golf Course, a friendly, but also challenging, experience. Continuing up Route 66 and cresting the hill, Sapulpa’s historic jewel of a downtown will appear before you.

While in downtown, pause to shop at the many boutique stores, antique malls, restaurants and coffee shops. For a real historical experience, stop at any one of eighteen buildings along Dewey Avenue (Route 66 in Sapulpa) and point your cell phone at the QR code posted on the front of the building for fascinating facts about the history of the building you’re standing in front of.

As you leave downtown, make note of the historic Creek Country Court House and then you’ll turn left on Mission Street (which, if you continue, will take you to nearby Tulsa) and consider stopping at Happy Burger, the oldest, continuously operating drive-in on Route 66—which displays one of the highway’s magnificent neon signs.

On your way out of town you may feel like you are saying good bye to Sapulpa, but actually you are in Sapulpa for five more miles. Along those Route 66 Sapulpa miles you go through Sapulpa thriving industrial district. Don’t miss The Guardian of the Plains, a mammoth bison sculpture that stands upon a mound overlooking Route 66. He bids you farewell and come back soon.