The west end was a location in “Grapes of Wrath” starring Henry Fonda, where Grandpa dies and is buried. (The bridge had been there only six years at that time.)
Built by Hugh Davis in the 70s as a surprise (?!) anniversary gift for his wife Zelda, who collected whale figurines. It is one of the best known landmarks on Route 66. The big whale speaks to a simpler time, when a swimming hole didn’t need all kinds of fancy wave machines and gadgetry.
Built in the mid-twenties when Tulsa was a booming oil town and the depression wasn’t even a notion. After going through a number architects, the church committee members turned to University of Tulsa art instructor, Miss Adah Robinson for help.
This Route 66 historian and artist has his gallery just barely a block off of the Mother Road. You can call ahead, or just take your chance and drop in. He would be happy to sign your copy of the Map Series or EZ 66 Guide (plus give you the latest updates). He also sells his original artwork.
In between Miami and Afton is a zig-zaggy stretch of 9 foot wide original Route 66 roadbed, hence the “Sidewalk” moniker. In certain places of this narrow byway, you can see the original white lines on the edges of the Portland concrete road.
Rock of Ages Conoco Station US-66 Arcadia, OK Service station relic Stories have it that the back window was an entrance to a secret room where they counterfeited money. (Oh, and be careful pulling on and off the highway.) It goes like this: Back in…
Sandhills Curio Shop 201 S Sheb Wooley St Erick, OK (580) 526-3738 Souvenirs, Inspiration for “Cars” character Be sure to stop and visit “Mediocre Music Makers” Annabell and Harley Russell and their magnificent collection of everything. Signage decks out the exterior of the building making…
Afton’s Eagle (DX) Service Station 12 SE 1st St Afton, OK (918) 257-4044 Opened in the 30s, the Eagle service station was open for almost 60 years. Today it is a Route 66 visitor center, thanks to the preservation efforts of Laurel and David Kane….
Totem Pole Park – Ed Galloway Hwy 28A Foyil, OK 918-342-9149 Website Sculpture environment In the 1920s and 1930s, Ed taught industrial arts at a nearby state school. But by 1937, in his off-hours, using a lot of concrete and even more ingenuity, he built…
And some new ones, too. The original plan was to find the Tool fence in Collinsville for the upcoming Rare Visions book. Alas, it is gone. And I was befuddled. How does someone get rid of a long welded, heavy, metal fence? But the good…