Route 66 By Rhys Martin, President, Oklahoma Route 66 Association
The most famous road birthed from this progressive movement, U.S. Highway 66, has an important place in Tulsa’s history. That history is alive today through a variety of initiatives from the Tulsa Route 66 Commission and the enthusiasm of small business owners along all 28 miles of the historic highway in Tulsa’s city limits. There are dozens of new neon signs throughout Tulsa made possible by the Commission’s Route 66 Neon Sign Grant Program. The corridor is literally buzzing with the unique artistry required to fashion these beautiful signs. Inspired by the towering Meadow Gold sign, the heart of a district that bears the same name, this grant program has helped businesses bring in new goods and services while honoring old traditions. Take a drive down East 11th Street any time of the day and you’ll see folks admiring these signs.
in town. They all tell a bit more of Tulsa’s story connected to America’s Main Street.
the road’s centennial in 2026, so stay tuned to see what develops.
The University of Tulsa is the centerpiece of the appropriately named University District. This area is a melting pot of automobile-focused business and ground-floor enterprises. It’s easy to see where the road has been and where it’s going. The impressive neon display at Tally’s Good Food Cafe on the corner of East 11th Street and South Yale Avenue is postcard-perfect.
The Kendall Whittier District sits on the road’s original 1926-1932 alignment at East Admiral Boulevard and South Lewis Avenue. Whittier Square is a tremendous success story thanks to the hard work and engagement of its Main Street Program. It is currently the home of the Tulsa Farmers’ Market, outdoor concerts, Tulsa’s only independent movie house and many locally owned shops. A vintage Phillips 66 station has been converted into 473, a swanky bar and outdoor space — it’s a filling station of a different kind!
The Tulsa Market District is anchored by Mother Road Market, Oklahoma’s first food hall and is undergoing a vast transformation. This area will look completely different by the time we reach
A replica Phillips 66 station sits at west Tulsa’s Route 66 Historical Village.
The heart of Route 66 has always been the small businesses that line the roadside, from the bustling streets of Chicago to the wide-open spaces of the Texas panhandle to the sandy beaches of Santa Monica. If you take a drive down either alignment of Route 66 in Tulsa, you’ll see that same spirit of entrepreneurship is alive and well here. Our stretch of the road is made up of several districts. Aside from the aforementioned Meadow Gold District, here’s a look at the others and what sets them apart. The Gateway District is the easternmost section of the road in Tulsa. It’s where the rolling fields of Tulsa County transition into the commercial streets of the city. A beautiful gateway arch stands near the crossroads of Historic Route 66 and Interstate 44. This is also where you’ll find the first historic marker that the Tulsa Route 66 Commission has installed along the road; there are nearly 30 scattered across the alignments 8
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V I S I O N T U L S A 2 0 22 tulsacouncil.org
Tulsa musician Casii Stephan performs at a 2021 Kendall Whittier After Five event. The historic district sits on an original alignment of Route 66.
PHILLIPS 66, SIGN: GREG BOLLINGER; AFTER FIVE: MICHELLE POLLARD
If you’ve ever driven over potholes, you can certainly appreciate the value of a good road. In the early 20th century, there was an active Good Roads movement to improve the many dirt lanes across the country to prepare for the coming of the automobile. After all, getting your fancy Model T stuck in muddy ruts didn’t do much to dissuade people from trading in their old horseand-buggy.
