The 2026 Oklahoma Route 66 Trip Guide is now available! This year not only marks the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road but also marks the 30th year of our annual Trip Guide, which is the largest ever at 144 pages.

“We are incredibly proud of this edition of our Trip Guide, which is cited by travelers from across the globe as an invaluable resource for traveling our favorite highway,” said Rhys Martin, President of the Association. “They can be ordered from our website today and will be available from Business Member locations across the region as we get them distributed.” Guides are free in person and only cost shipping if ordered online.

The booklet features maps of each community along Oklahoma’s 400+ miles of Historic Route 66 along with historic information, business listings, road trip games, and more. Although the guide focuses on Oklahoma, the Association has members in nearly 30 states and multiple countries. “When you look through the guide and plan your trip, please support our members. Without their membership and advertising, we wouldn’t be able to advocate for preservation or promote the many wonderful things happening along the Route 66 corridor in our state.”

The cover artwork this year is a commissioned piece by Oklahoma artist Jessica Stout. “We wanted something a little more special for the Centennial year,” Martin continued. “Jessica created a wonderful piece for our cover that we’re also offering as an 11x14 poster for people that want something to display to mark this once-in-a-lifetime occasion.” The artwork pulls from familiar Oklahoma iconography to present a timeless image of the open road. The limited-edition poster can also be ordered online (shipped separately) or available in-person at Meadow Gold Mack in Tulsa.

Guides can be ordered at www.oklahomaroute66.com or picked up at Business Member locations across the state, which should be delivered by our Board and volunteers over the next few weeks. Jessica Stout’s work, which includes murals throughout eastern Oklahoma, can be seen at www.jessicastout.com.

After more than 30 years of darkness, the iconic Cotton Boll Motel neon sign in Canute, Oklahoma is alight once more. The sign relighting is the first phase of multiple projects the community has in the works to highlight their local history and celebrate their place on the Mother Road.

The Cotton Boll opened in May 1960. Woodrow and Viola Penick, who had been cotton farmers, had the 16-room motel built alongside US Highway 66. Joe Mahl of Elk City was the builder of the structure and Seright Neon of Elk City created the stunning sign. The motel advertised air conditioning, vinyl tile, and a TV set in each room. Ten years later, the I-40 bypass was completed, severing Canute from the flow of most tourist traffic. But the Cotton Boll survived on oilfield and agricultural business. The Penicks sold the motel in 1979 and it continued to operate until the early 1990s.

Pat and Cheryl Webb bought the motel in 1993 as a private residence shortly after it closed. By then, the sign was no longer operable. However, the distinctive porcelain cabinet had already become a popular photo stop for travelers from around the world. People in the town had reached out to the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and the State Historic Preservation Office at the time about preserving the sign and making it a monument, but those efforts were unsuccessful. Joe Kisicki, President of the Association at the time, told The Daily Oklahoman that the Association didn’t have the resources to finance such projects, but that it was certainly, “part of the attraction of Route 66.”

When the State of Oklahoma created the Oklahoma Route 66 Revitalization Grant in 2023, preservationists in the town of Canute took notice. Their local CPR Group (Canute Preservation and Restoration) applied for a grant that would bring new life to Old Route 66 in their town - and got it. The Cotton Boll project is just the first phase and will be followed by work to other structures, including the Washita Motel sign to the west and the former Hi-De-Hi Drive-In to the east.

Pat Webb, who still owns the motel, gifted the sign to the City of Canute so that the project could take place and the work was completed by Just-In-Time Signs out of Sayre. In fact, the sign cabinet itself wasn’t even repainted - the porcelain was simply cleaned and polished.

On the evening of March 21st, a crowd of 130 people gathered in Canute (population 494) on the side of Historic Route 66 to be there when the switch was flipped. People from as far away as Houston, Texas and Tucumcari, New Mexico came to be a part of the special occasion. In attendance were the presidents of both the Texas and Oklahoma Route 66 Associations and numerous Route 66 roadies from around the region, but the stars of the evening were the Penick daughters, Marilyn and Shirley, who came in from southeast Texas.

After speeches from the mayor and a few others, the neon was turned on just before 7:00 PM to great fanfare. People from near and far continued to snap photos as the sun set behind the concrete roadway and many revelers migrated to the nearby Friends Pub & Pizza, where they visited until well after 10. The motel is still a private residence, but in this Centennial year the sign will call to Route 66 travelers as both a reminder of yesterday and a dream of tomorrow.

Rick Koch, owner of ASAP Energy Inc., is celebrating his 66th birthday in 2026 by giving away a 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle. It’s a way to celebrate the Route 66 Centennial for a man whose story has been intertwined with the Mother Road for his entire life.

“My grandfather owned East Side Salvage on Route 66,” Rick said in a phone interview as he reminisced about his time growing up in Weatherford. He was just a boy when I-40 was being completed, but he had a distinct memory of being on Route 66 when parts of it were still the main highway. He remembered thinking, “Who would ever design such a bumpy road?” as they passed over the concrete panels that are still prevalent in many parts of Western Oklahoma today. “They might have built it bumpy, but they built it to last.”

Rick opened his first service station in 1979 with his brother, right on Route 66. Then, they opened a second one. Rick remembered when he managed a station next door to a small Valentine diner on Main Street that is now on display at the Heartland of America Museum. Back then, it was known as the Cliff House. “The thing that most people don’t realize is that they didn’t have bathrooms,” he said, noting that he always took good care of the restrooms at the station. “Edna and Annie, the two ladies that worked there, they had an extra key.” The waitresses paid him and his staff back with a free cheeseburger on Saturdays.

Eventually, Rick founded ASAP Energy Inc. Today, they operate twenty convenience stores in Oklahoma and distribute fuel across eight states. But the company does more than provide fuel: it preserves a part of Oklahoma’s Route 66 history. In the early 2000s, Rick purchased Lucille Hamons’ old service station out on Historic Route 66. Lucille was a beloved figure in the greater Route 66 community for decades and an inductee into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame.

“When I was going to high school, we all knew who Lucille was,” Rick said. His family would stop at the station often on their way to and from Oklahoma City. Shortly after Lucille passed away in 2000, her station went up on eBay. It didn’t sell. Rick contacted Cheryl Nowka (Lucille’s daughter and the first webmaster for the Oklahoma Route 66 Association) and in 2002 became the new owner of the station. A small article in our December 2002 newsletter states: Rick’s immediate plans are to ensure the old gas station is structurally sounds, then restore the outside to a specific era, antique gas pumps and all. It also mentioned his plans to build a 1950s-style diner at his truck stop in honor of Lucille. Of course, that’s exactly what happened.

“When I bought it, it was covered in vines,” Rick remembered. “They were invading the building. The wood was dry and somewhat rotting … me and my son Brian thought we’d just tackle that one summer day. We went to cut it down and, well, it was poison ivy!” The old motor court building was about to fall down, so they took it down and rebuilt a new version of it on-site. They keep the historic building painted, the roof in good order, and tend to the grounds. Recently, a new selfie stand was installed and a 1954 Chevrolet pickup was parked out there. They’re working on plans for an outdoor picnic pavilion and a recreation of the Hamons Court neon sign that hangs in the Smithsonian today. The operation of the Lucille’s Roadhouse Restaurants in Weatherford and Clinton as well as Lucille’s Hotel help fund the preservation and enhancement of the original station.

This year not only marks the Centennial of Route 66 and America’s 250th Birthday, but Rick turns 66 years old. To celebrate the the occasion, he is giving away a 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle through ASAP’s Kickback Rewards program. The car will be given away on Rick’s birthday, August 6th, at the Lucille’s Roadhouse restaurant in Weatherford. People can learn more at: https://asapenergyinc.com/giveaway/.

What does Rick want people to take away from Route 66’s Centennial? “How important our history is and how important it is to preserve our history. Route 66 was all about … connectivity and connecting people together. Making things easier to traverse from one part of the country to the other. Because of the success of Route 66, the interstate was just an expansion of that. When you saw how you could connect Chicago to California, how to connect the rest of the United States…it shrunk the world. It made it where [people] could help each other.”

TULSA, OK - The Admiral Twin Drive-In announced their opening date for the season as Friday, April 3rd. 2026 is not only the Centennial of Route 66, but it’s the 75th season of this local icon. The Admiral Twin opened in 1951 as the Modernaire, but a year later they added a second screen and adopted the name that Tulsans are now familiar with.

Owner Blake Smith shared, “2026 should be a great year! We have a lot planned for the season. We kick things off on April 3rd with ‘Super Mario Galaxy Movie.’ But the big 75th anniversary celebration happens on May 29th, featuring a ribbon cutting ceremony, live music, and, most importantly, screenings of ‘The Outsiders’ and ‘Cool Hand Luke!’ We’re inviting all of Tulsa to join us for this special event.” The Admiral Twin was famously featured in the 1983 Outsiders film.

Speaking of the Centennial of Route 66, the Admiral Twin also announced an afternoon car show on May 30th to coincide with the Route 66 Capital Cruise, which plans to bring in 3,000 cars to Tulsa to break a Guinness World Record. Blake and the rest of the crew at the Admiral Twin encourage guests to bring their vehicles and enjoy the festivities at one of the city’s most enduring landmarks.

More details on both events will be announced soon. For more information, contact info@admiraltwindrivein.com.

In 2005, the theater was recognized by Hampton Inn’s Save-A-Landmark program and received their Route 66 Roadside Attraction signage, which was recently refreshed by the Oklahoma Route 66 Association. Although the original screen burned to the ground in a devastating 2010 fire, grass-roots fundraising helped get the screens rebuilt two years later.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Keep Oklahoma Beautiful was honored with the National Innovation Award during the 2026 Keep America Beautiful Summit in New Orleans, Louisiana. This prestigious award recognizes organizations that develop and lead groundbreaking, creative solutions to environmental challenges within their communities. Keep Oklahoma Beautiful received this distinction for its innovative initiative, Keep Route 66 Beautiful, which empowers communities to remove litter and enhance the beauty of the iconic 400+ miles of Route 66 in Oklahoma. The initiative provides vital resources to support local efforts in beautification and environmental stewardship along the historic highway.

The award ceremony featured Lucinda Robb, granddaughter of Lady Bird Johnson, who presented the award and shared inspiring remarks. “If my grandmother was here, I know she would be very pleased and proud of the work you’re doing in Oklahoma,” Robb stated, reflecting on Lady Bird Johnson’s enduring legacy in environmental beautification.

Evelyn Schaefer, Executive Director of Keep Oklahoma Beautiful, accepted the award on behalf of the organization. “Our mission only works because of the heart and hard work our Affiliates pour into their hometowns every single day,” said Schaefer. “As we all prepare for the influx in tourism in Oklahoma communities, we will continue to work with local leaders to build community pride and a much more beautiful, sustainable state.”

In 2025, Keep Oklahoma Beautiful was awarded a grant through the Route 66 Revitalization Program, an initiative of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. The grant enabled the organization to collaborate directly with communities on projects including painting, planting trees, installing pollinator gardens, removing roadside litter, and other beautification efforts in preparation for the highway’s centennial anniversary. This program has helped the Oklahoma Route 66 Association with beautification efforts, such as the cleanup at Kobel’s Station in Foss in 2025.

CHANDLER, OKLAHOMA - After a year of discussion, advocacy, and legal battles, Chandler’s historic St. Cloud Hotel is coming down.

In March of 2025, the roof of the St. Cloud Hotel in Chandler was severely damaged in a storm, compromising the building. The City of Chandler held a meeting on April 8th of that year and deemed the building a hazard and voted for demolition. The owner argued that the City had blocked his application for permits to repair the building and that a permit was not required for some of the work that needed to be completed. The City denied this and stated that the permits were not completed correctly and had provided a list of necessary changes for approval. This escalated all the way to the Oklahoma Supreme Court on appeal, but according to a KFOR report in January a bond was not paid and the city’s plans could proceed.

“Preservation is one of the primary parts of our mission,” said Association President Rhys Martin. “So when a historic structure is endangered, we do what we can to call attention to it and connect people with resources. The St. Cloud Hotel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but, unfortunately, that does not offer protection from demolition. In this case, the Association was never able to engage the owner to talk directly.”

In an email, the State Historic Preservation Office said that they had been in contact with the owner multiple times, as had Preservation Oklahoma, but that since it was an issue between the city and the property owner there were limited solutions available and that all of them would require significant financial investment. Larry Donbraswell, co-owner of the building, said on Facebook that the city did not give him due process to make the needed repairs.

Chandler is known for its high concentration of structures on the National Register, both on and off Historic Route 66. The St. Cloud Hotel opened on April 20th, 1904 and was known for the ghost murals on the side of the building. The St. Cloud and Coca-Cola murals were restored in 2006 by Dean Godner and Shaun Colbert of Oklahoma City with funding from the Great Plans Coca-Cola Bottling Company. The project, which restored the faded murals while retaining a weathered, vintage look won the SHPO’s Citation of Merit Award in 2007. Owner John Givens operated a muffler shop in the building at the time and even then it was noted to be struggling with condemnation by the city.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - After nearly two decades of sitting, Bob Waldmire’s U-Haul truck is being restored.

If you’re not familiar with the story of artist Bob Waldmire, you can ask just about any roadie that was around in his lifetime and they’ll have a story about him. Bob was a traveling artist that had a passion for history, nature, and beauty. You can learn more about Bob with our Google Arts and Culture article here, but one part of the story that ties directly to Oklahoma is a retired U-Haul truck he acquired in 2007.

Bob painted a mural on the left side of the truck and put it up for sale, but those plans didn’t come together before his death in 2009. Ken and Marian Clark of Tulsa, who had helped Bob purchase the truck, donated it to the National Route 66 Museum and Transportation Museum in Elk City, but they didn’t have room for it. That’s how it eventually ended up with Laurel Kane at Afton Station in Ottawa County, where it remained until 2019.

The Oklahoma Route 66 Association acquired the truck late that year and stationed it in Chelsea for travelers to enjoy and always planned to restore it to working order. “We thought it would be a wonderful tribute to Bob’s legacy to turn it into a mobile museum of sorts,” said Association President Rhys Martin. “It would give us a way to deploy at events on-and-off Route 66 and hopefully inspire people to travel the road themselves.” The restoration project was designated as an official Route 66 Centennial project by the US Route 66 Centennial Commission and a full inspection was performed with the assistance of Association members Billy and Pam Stanbro of Chelsea…but the price tag to return the truck to the road was high.

At the Association’s Annual Membership Meeting in January, a teacher with the Francis Tuttle Technology Center in Oklahoma City approached the organization and pitched the idea of making the restoration a student project. “When Rhys was talking about the Bob Waldmire U-Haul project, I immediately thought, this would be an awesome project for my automotive collision repair class,” said Clint Drabek. “I knew it would be a great opportunity for my students to take part in the restoration of a historical piece of rolling art. We are extremely excited to be a part of the Bob Waldmire project and look forward to seeing it make its way back to service during the Route 66 Centennial Celebration!”

Getting the truck from northeast Oklahoma to Oklahoma City was another matter, but LD’s Wrecker in Chandler, a member of the Association since 1990, stepped up to help. In fact, they were so excited to be a part of the project that they made a special trip to a few Route 66 landmarks as they made their way across Eastern Oklahoma on Wednesday, February 25th. Bob had been a fixture at the Rock Café in Stroud and still has a booth specially decorated with his artwork. The truck stopped briefly at the Rock due to this history and the manager, Beverly Thomas, stepped outside for a moment to see the truck as it continued west.

Now, students at Francis Tuttle will restore the mechanical parts of the truck. Other arrangements are being made locally to restore the exterior and interior of the cab. Bob’s artwork has faded over the last twenty years and the Association would like to restore it, too, but they are also highly aware of the potential for damaging it. “We want to honor Bob’s legacy, not ruin his work,” Martin said. “We have to figure that part out but we’re committed to doing it right.”

Once the truck is back on the road, the Association will begin seeking funding to build out the back of the truck with a customized, deployable educational experience. But in the meantime, it will give the Association some additional visibility at events and along the road itself.

SAPULPA, OKLAHOMA - Registration is now open for the Oklahoma Route 66 Association’s Centennial Car Show. The event will take place on September 26th, 2026 at Sapulpa’s Tee Pee Drive-In. The car show will be followed by a separate event that evening: a screening of Pixar’s film Cars, which celebrates 20 years alongside Route 66’s 100th anniversary.

“The Oklahoma Route 66 Association has been an advocate for preservation and history of the road for 37 years,” said Association President Rhys Martin. “We thought an event focused the vehicles themselves during this momentous year would be a great way to celebrate the road’s ongoing legacy. And holding that event at a historic venue like the Tee Pee is even better!”

The Tee Pee Drive-In opened in 1950, during the road’s so-called heyday. It closed in 1999 after years of decline, but five years ago the Kante Group purchased the property and began renovations. It opened to great fanfare in 2023, its story mirroring that of Route 66 itself.

“Route 66 represents the very best of the American spirit - entrepreneurs who build something meaningful, communities that welcome travelers, and dreamers who believe in creating a better future,” said Ben and Joni Kante, owners of the drive-in. “The Tee Pee Drive-In serves as a breeding ground of creativity, imagination, and thoughts of what has yet become for hundreds. When we had the opportunity to restore it, we felt a deep responsibility to honor those dreamers who came before us. This isn’t just about preserving a screen - it’s about a reflection of the courage, optimism, and the ‘get it done’ determination mind set while upholding a sense of community that defined Route 66. To see the Tee Pee once again filled with families, classic cars, and shared experiences is incredibly moving for us. We are grateful to play a role in ensuring this special place continues inspiring others for the next 100 years.”

The Oklahoma Route 66 Association is partnering with AmericaCarShows.com for the event, a Tulsa-based company with decades of experience. Registration is $25 per car; all proceeds go towards the Association’s mission to preserve and promote Route 66 throughout the state.

As Route 66 celebrates its centennial in 2026, Martin wants people to know that the road is still alive and still evolving. “People come to Route 66 for all kinds of reasons, but it’s the people they meet that stick in their memory and bring them back. Classic cars and their owners are a great example of the passion you can find from small business owners, preservationists, and others that you can find along the road. And, of course, the movie Cars brought the story to a whole new generation.”

The screening of the movie in the evening is also being organized by the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, in partnership with the Kante Group, and they are working on bringing out a few special guests for the occasion. “Many of the characters in the movie are based on real people and there’s an incredible story about how the real towns inspired Radiator Springs. We’re excited to make this showing a little more special and will have more details to announce as we get closer to the event this fall.”

Registration can be completed online at OK66CarShow.com and more information about the event can be found there.

CLAREMORE, Okla. – A dynamic new exhibit on US Route 66 opens on Friday, February 27, at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore. Visitors will be immersed in the highway’s unique history and cultural legacy, told through vibrant imagery and storytelling. Special guests Michael Wallis, voice of the sheriff in “Cars,” and Ken Busby, executive director of the Route 66 Alliance, will be on hand to discuss the highway and the making of the film.

In the 1930s, people wanted to rename the highway after Will Rogers, who enjoyed national fame. After he died in 1935, efforts to honor him increased, and the US Highway Association later that year designated Route 66 as “Will Rogers Highway.”

The exhibit explores the various dedications of the highway in memory of Will Rogers from the 1930s to the 1950s and discusses the Will Rogers Highway in pop culture, from a cameo appearance in “The Grapes of Wrath” to Woody Guthrie’s folk music.

The opening begins at 5 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting, followed by a Q&A session at 6 p.m. with Busby and Wallis to discuss current efforts to celebrate the route and the creative process that went into the making of the film “Cars.” At 7 p.m., there will be a screening of the Disney/Pixar film “Cars.” Admission is free to the public.

The Will Rogers Memorial Museum is located at 1720 W. Will Rogers Blvd. in Claremore. Call 918-341-0719 for more information.

The Will Rogers Memorial Museum is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications, the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit okhistory.org.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City has published a new report examining how small towns have successfully used route-based tourism as a valuable strategy for economic development.

The report, titled “The Byways Report: The Scenic Route to Rural Prosperity” frames the issue through the 100th anniversary of Route 66, the epic 2,448-mile road trip that crosses eight states from Chicago to Los Angeles. Four of those states – Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico – lie in the Tenth Federal Reserve District, which the Kansas City Fed serves. While focused on Route 66 in Oklahoma, the report includes interviews with national experts on rural development and byways tourism, as well as the experiences of people involved with byways around the U.S.

“The major theme and biggest surprise from this research is that long-time residents of small towns often can’t see what might draw visitors,” said Jennifer Wilding, community engagement advisor at the Kansas City Fed and the report’s author. “Newer or younger residents have helped others see the town with fresh, appreciative eyes and have led the way in spurring unique approaches to economic development in many communities.”

The National Travel Center found that a byway can feasibly generate between $250,000 and $450,000 per mile per year in visitor spending when it features heritage and cultural locations, offers visitors plenty of places to visit and opportunities to spend money, includes destination-distinctive accommodations and local cuisine, and is well-promoted.

The report also finds that byways can be an especially good fit for small towns and rural areas for several reasons:

• There are often miles between small towns, usually in the countryside. These can be attractive places for people to visit because of the surrounding geography.

• A group of towns can create their own byway based on their specific regional heritage and assets.

• No single town needs to be responsible for all the work. In fact, a byway works best when each town along a route plays to its individual strengths.

Stories in the report feature young entrepreneurs preserving the past in Miami, Okla.; the Cherokee Nation telling its story and a vintage café creating memorable experiences in Vinita, Okla.; a group of creative residents bringing new life to Route 66 in Clinton, Okla.; an 80-year-old artist using art as economic development in tiny Sayre, Okla.; and other stories from Oklahoma, Red Cloud, Neb., and the Crooked Road Music Trail in Virginia.

“The Byways Report” also highlights an array of technical resources that can help states, regions and towns leverage route-based tourism as part of their efforts to build rural prosperity. It shares ten themes based on interviews for those wanting to strengthen or start a byway, including embracing entrepreneurism as an economic strategy, preserving the history and heritage of the town, thinking in terms of collaboration not competition, and reaching out to destination marketing and regional development organizations for support.

To download a PDF version or request a free printed copy of the report, visit https://www.kansascityfed.org/the-byways-report.

As part of its work to support financial stability, the Kansas City Fed works to connect with communities in its region to promote economic development, access to credit and public understanding.

As the regional headquarters of the nation’s central bank, the Kansas City Fed and its branch offices in Denver, Oklahoma City and Omaha serve the seven states of the Tenth District: Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Wyoming, northern New Mexico and western Missouri.

Two distinctly different memorial services at Fort Reno in November and December honored two groups of veterans buried at the Post Cemetery to ensure their service was not forgotten. Debra Kauffman, President of Historic Fort Reno, Inc., hosted both events. Fort Reno sits four miles from El Reno on Route 66.

German Memorial Day

On November 23 at the Visitors Center, attendees stated the importance of remembering the dead from wars– not just Prisoners of War (POWs) at Fort Reno – but from any country and from any war. Captain Rolf Niemezewski, Commander of the German Air Force unit at Fort Sill’s Air Defense Training Center, said, “I really appreciate the honor to attend the German Memorial Day inside the United States to think about all the fallen soldiers, no matter which country, and also think about the children and women that died and were wounded.”

The service moved to the Post Cemetery, where a stone wall separates the majority of the buried (veterans, civilians, American Indians) from POWs buried there. Moving slowly through the German and Italian POW Cemetery to the song, “Amazing Grace,” the German national flag, Deutschlandfahne, was carried by one of three uniformed German Air Force Honor Guard. Ten more German Air Force servicemen stood at attention in the cemetery. Then, Hildegard Effinger and Jutta Tankersley of Tulsa and two German Air Force members placed five wreaths next to tombstones as thirty people watched.

Finally, Susan Calvert led the group singing “The Good Comrade” in German, a song written by German poet Ludwig Uhland in 1809.

Fort Reno’s POW History

Fort Reno’s POW Camp was constructed in 1943 and German prisoners began arriving July 4, 1943, according to a Fort Reno Visitors Center handout, “World War II German Prisoner of War Camp.” Up to 1,335 POWs were held at one time. Seventy World War II POWs are interred at the Fort Reno cemetery. “There are 62 Germans and 8 Italians, the majority of those interred at Fort Reno were held at POW Camps in Oklahoma and Texas.” 

Wreaths Across America

A mix of long rifles, muskets and pistols fired together at the Post Cemetery on December 20 – not in anger, but in honor of veterans - during the nationally held Wreaths Across America Ceremony. It was sponsored by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). 

Once 60 visitors assembled at the Post Cemetery, Leslie Dietrich, Regent of the Fort Reno Chapter of DAR, welcomed everybody and asked for the Colors to be posted. Allegiance was given to our flag, followed by a prayer of remembrance for deceased veterans.

Dietrich said the group lays wreaths “to remember, honor and teach about those who served in the military and protected our freedoms…and teach the next generation the value of freedom.” Their purpose is “not to decorate graves…” but express a “symbol of honor for their (veterans) sacrifice.” The National DAR has given service to living and deceased veterans since 1890.

Attendees then picked up the green wreaths that the DAR brought and put them on veteran’s headstones while reciting their name as a way to publicly show they are not forgotten. After Dan Wilson of Wakita laid a wreath, he said, “I love to see the respect given to those who have gone before us.” German and Italian soldiers buried at the P.O.W. Cemetery did not receive wreaths.

Members of the Sons of the American Revolution and The Guthrie Gunfighters, dressed in historical period clothing, formed a line and fired three volleys. Then, Chad Kautz played a mournful Taps. The Guthrie Gunfighters’ Trail Boss, Kent Smith, said, “We come out to support the museum in a unique way to honor our veterans.”

In 2022, the Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine, placed wreaths on 2.7 million veteran’s headstones at 3,702 locations in all 50 states and abroad with the help of two million volunteers and organizations providing support.After both events, Kaufman opened the museum for individual tours and a reception, offering engaging conversation and a variety of food and beverages. She summarized the events by saying, “We are fortunate to have a cemetery that has a long period of history tied to it. With the German-Italian Memorial Service and the DAR’s Wreaths Across America service, they provide opportunities to honor servicemen buried there.”

“To be killed in war is not the worst that can happen. To be lost is not the worst that can happen…….to be forgotten is the worst.” Piere Claeyssens (1909-2003).

Fort Reno is directly on Route 66, four miles west of El Reno. It is open 10:00 to 4:00 Tuesday through Saturday. Admission prices range from $4- $6. The Visitor Center is in the former officer's quarters. The Post Cemetery is one mile away. The staff in the U.S. Cavalry Association's house, next to the Visitor Center, encourages visitors to see them too.

S&H Green Stamps has launched an official Route 66 Centennial Celebration Project, bringing together two powerful icons of Americana in a true case of nostalgia meeting nostalgia.

S&H Green Stamps were a familiar staple along Route 66 during its heyday, with many businesses offering stamps as a reward for loyal customers.

“S&H Green Stamps and Route 66 are two enduring symbols of mid-century America, evoking memories of family road trips, roadside diners, and the simple joy of earning rewards for everyday loyalty,” said Carl Norloff, CEO of S&H Green Stamps.

The S&H Route 66 Centennial Celebration Project reimagines that legacy for a modern audience while honoring the brand’s historic connection to the Mother Road.

“As we approach the Route 66 Centennial, we're thrilled to reunite these nostalgic icons, while supporting the communities, businesses, and travelers that keep its legacy alive,” said Carl.

Through the Route 66 Centennial Celebration Project, S&H Green Stamps will provide communities along Route 66 with a suite of engagement tools and support, including promotional events, consumer rewards, social media exposure, and access to thousands of existing S&H Green Stamps members. The initiative is designed to help businesses, attractions, and local nonprofit causes engage consumers in a unique and exciting way, while highlighting the national value and enduring legacy of Route 66.

“Route 66 has always been about connection — between people, places, and communities,” said Bill Thomas, Chair of The Road Ahead Partnership and Commissioner of the Route 66 Centennial Commission. “As an official Route 66 Centennial project, this initiative honors the shared history of the Mother Road while creating new opportunities for businesses and nonprofits to connect with travelers and supporters nationwide. It’s a powerful example of how nostalgia can be transformed into meaningful economic and community impact.”

The S&H Green Stamps Route 66 Centennial Celebration Project supports the broader goals of The Road Ahead Partnership and the Route 66 Centennial to celebrate, preserve, and promote the cultural, economic, and historic significance of the Mother Road as the Centennial approaches.

For more information visit the S&H Green Stamps Route 66 Centennial Celebration Project.

For the first time in over more than a decade, a new Will Rogers Highway monument is coming to Oklahoma Route 66…and supporters can add their name to this historic installation.

Route 66 has had many nicknames over the last 100 years: the Main Street of America, the Mother Road…even Route 66 itself is a nickname. But in 1935, to honor the recent passing of cultural icon Will Rogers, the highway that connects Chicago to Santa Monica was given the name The Will Rogers Highway. The cross-country roadway became forever tied to the cross-country star of stage, radio, writing, and film. Nearly two decades later, the name was immortalized with a caravan that installed bronze plaques at state borders to let the world know that Will was not forgotten.

That association was resurrected in the late 1990s by a man from Joplin, Darrell Ray, and other partners including Willis Granite in southwestern Oklahoma. A new marker was designed using the 1935 Will Rogers Highway emblem created by the US 66 Highway Association, with the first marker dedicated in Vinita, Oklahoma in October of 1999. For more than a decade, additional markers were installed in Claremore, Clinton, Tulsa, Texola, and Hydro. Markers were also built in Galena, Kansas, and Joplin, Missouri. The most recent marker was installed in Afton, Oklahoma in November of 2011, next to a small segment of Ribbon Road. Many of these markers were made possible by fundraising and partnerships established with the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and passionate supporters like Carol Duncan of Clinton.

“When we were looking at ways to commemorate the Centennial of Route 66, we looked at the existing Will Rogers Highway markers and realized there was a pretty big gap between Tulsa and Hydro,” said Rhys Martin, President of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association. “We also saw an opportunity to tell a story about the history of the road and tie it into Will’s strength of connecting people.” Working with the Butcher BBQ Stand in Wellston, the Association identified a spot along the highway that would tell a story about citizen engagement and civic pride.

“Back when Highway 66 was being paved, a decision was made at a state level to bypass downtown Wellston and pave a straighter path, where State Highway 66 runs today,” Martin continued. “Of course, that left main street in the dirt. The townspeople and local leaders advocated to have the original part of the road paved, too, and were successful…thus closing the so-called Wellston Gap.”

The Oklahoma Route 66 Association received a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to help shoulder the cost of this new marker, but additional fundraising is needed to, once again, close the gap. “We are so grateful to the National Trust for this award, which will cover about half of the cost of having this new marker created, shipped, and installed. We are making sure it’s done right and will be here for travelers to experience for decades to come.”

For parties that donate $750 or more, their name or business name will be inscribed on the back of the marker. Interested parties should reach out to the Association directly OR you can make a donation directly on our website here. The Association plans to have the marker installed and unveiled on June 18th, 2026, as the Route 66 Centennial Caravan comes through Wellston.

The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership announced their latest round of grant recipients this week as Route 66 celebrates its 100th birthday. Their Route 66 Preservation & Economic Development (PED) Grant Program, made possible through generous support from American Express, recently awarded more than $40,000 to Route 66 businesses and attractions.

The 2025 Route 66 PED Grant Program awards go to 19 organizations in Arizona, California, Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Each recipient receives $2,125 for their qualifying project as recommended by an independent Review Committee from across the eight Route 66 states.

Oklahoma’s grantees include the Bristow Historical Society, which will install benches and commission a Route 66 mural at their Town Square. Magpie & Mulberry Market in Sapulpa will build a farmer’s/vintage market at the corner of Route 66 and Highway 75. The Arcadia Round Barn will reprint its 12 historical panels and create brochures that tell the barn's story. The grant will fund professional architectural and structural planning for Saint Cate's Route 66 Folk Art Cathedral, a 1924 former church, in Yukon. And in Tulsa, the iconic “COLD BEER” neon at Arnie's Bar along the original Route 66 will be repaired.

In Arizona, the VFW POST 6306, located on historic Route 66 in Topock, will commission the painting of the Route 66 shield on the pavement at their address and plan a community centennial celebration. Area 66 Outreach and Marketing will facilitate advertising efforts of the world-famous "Golf Ball" located in Yucca. Kingland Studios Fun Center in Joliet is creating brand-new characters inspired by Route 66 and its communities. Additionally, Zettler’s Market will apply the reward toward much-needed repairs to its National Historic Register site in Ash Fork.

In California, two projects will benefit from the PED Grants. Melting Pot Food Tours, in the Old Pasadena business district of West Hollywood, will invest in tour guide training and update its website to highlight the 100-year anniversary of Route 66. Cucamonga Service Station is reconstructing its garage, completing the restoration of the historic site.

Two Illinois restaurants will also receive awards. Joliet’s White Fence Farm on Route 66 plans to paint and replace fascia boards as needed following storm damage. In Virden, Jo's Place will restore its floors to improve safety. In Rolla, Missouri, Soda & Scoops and Red Door Gifts will each be investing in building improvements to enhance the Route 66 experience. The third Missouri recipient, Campbell Express Trailer Museum, will have a new Campbell Trucking Mural painted in Lebanon Park.

In New Mexico, grants will support the "66 Artists on 66" Art Show and Handmade Souvenir Shop at ART123 Gallery in Gallup, and in Grants, the award will help replace and upgrade the electrical panel box at St. Teresa's Community Center. And in Amarillo, Texas, the grant assists in educational materials for a secure exhibit space and long-term conservation of the Helium Times Columns Monument and plaza at the Don Harrington Discovery Center.

Eligible activities included capital improvements, historic preservation planning or work, and accessibility or community outreach for businesses and attractions located on Route 66 that employ fewer than 20 full-time employees or are a small, locally owned franchise with five or fewer locations. The PED Grant Program is an Official Route 66 Centennial Project as recommended by the Route 66 Centennial Commission. Future awards will be contingent on fundraising efforts to support the ongoing Route 66 PED Grant Program. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association publishes any regular grant opportunities on its website here.

Considering the fact they only had ten days to get from the Pacific Ocean to Lake Michigan, they made the most of their time in the Sooner State. The group crossed into Oklahoma from Texas on January 8th, making their first stop at the Sandhill Curiosity Shop in Erick. There, the cruisers were warmly welcomed and entertained by the one and only Harley Russell. In Clinton, they stopped and received a tour from the folks at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum and ended the day with a visit to Weatherford’s new Spaceman statue downtown.

After a night at Lucille’s Hotel, they continued east. Their first stop on January 9th was Lucille Hamons’ historic station in Hydro. They were later met by the Route 66 Cruisers at Pops Soda Ranch in Arcadia before stopping again in Luther to visit with Ed Threatt and hear the story of the Threatt Filling Station. Their final stop of the day was in Tulsa’s Meadow Gold District, where they met Buck Atom and his giant friends.

By the time the caravan reached Tulsa, a few of their vintage automobiles were in need of adjustment. Their 1960 Chrysler 300F needed a local expert to help with part that had taken the car offline in Amarillo and they found what they needed at Atlas Automotive, right on Route 66.  “Their generosity, hard work, and expertise got us back on the road […] headed east as we continue down Route 66 to Chicago,” the Automotive Trust said in a Facebook post. “These are the moments that make our Drive Home so special - all of the amazing folks who have helped and supported us along the way really exemplifies how the Mother Road and car culture brings us all together.”

The caravan’s final day in Oklahoma took them to Claremore, where they stopped at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, and then on to Miami’s Coleman Theatre before having lunch at the Main Street Café. For several members of the group, it was their first time in Oklahoma and they said they were they can’t wait to return and spend more time.

The next centennial caravan recognized on the US Route 66 Centennial website is the Main Street of America Caravan in June. That cruise is being organized by statewide Route 66 organizations, including the Oklahoma Route 66 Association. The schedule is still being finalized, but that motor tour will take 20 days to drive from Santa Monica to Chicago. People interested in learning more about that event can sign up to receive updates at www.route66caravan.com.

Oklahoma now has a Route 66 Centennial soda can honoring the road’s 100th anniversary. Okolahoma Soda Co. announced the launch of their highly anticipated Route 66 “Centennial Edition” Anniversary Collectable Can right after the new year and anticipates it being available in locations across the state in the coming weeks.

”Since announcing Okolahoma Soda Co. was named ‘Official Craft Soda Supplier’ to the OKLAHOMA ROUTE 66 CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION by Oklahoma Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell, we have been slammed with calls and emails asking “WHEN” our “Centennial Edition Okie Kola” design will be unveiled & cans on shelf,” said John Occhipinti in a social media post along with the announcement. The company is shipping out 12oz 6-Packs and 16oz singles cans across their network.

“As Oklahoma prepares to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road, we're proud to partner with the Okolahoma Soda Company as the Official Craft Soda Supplier for the Route 66 Centennial,” said Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell in a statement. “As our state's first and only family-owned craft soda company, they represent the kind of homegrown innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that makes Oklahoma special. Their story is one of family, community, and pride in Oklahoma: values that perfectly align with the Route 66 legacy.”

Occhipinti commented on how the statewide recognition strengthened their company’s legacy and how it impacts the next generation. “We extend our sincere gratitude to Lt. Governor Pinnell, Kerry Barrick, and the entire Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Anniversary Committee for their trust and support. We are honored to participate in the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Anniversary Celebration, which will showcase both Oklahoma and Okolahoma Soda Company to the millions of tourists expected to visit Oklahoma and other states along the infamous, mother of all roads, Route 66 in 2026.”

Okolahoma Soda was founded in Edmond, Oklahoma State n 2017. Their products can be found in thousands of locations across Oklahoma and neighboring states and internationally throughout Germany and soon in The Netherlands, Austria, France, & Northern Italy.

The first major commemorative event of the Route 66 Centennial will be coming through Oklahoma next week. The Drive Home VII caravan will be cruising through Oklahoma on January 8th, 9th, and 10th.

America’s Automotive Trust has assembled a selection of cars ranging from a 1934 Buick to a 2025 Ford Expedition for a national cruise to celebrate Route 66 during its centennial year. The group leaves Santa Monica, California the morning of January 3rd and makes their way to Chicago on the 12th before driving on to the Detroit Auto Show where they will be on display. The cruise and the auto show have both been highlighted by the US Route 66 Centennial Commission.

The group is planning out multiple stops each day as they make their way east and their itinerary currently outlines the following stops in the Sooner State:

• Thursday, January 8th

  • Starting the day in Amarillo, TX with lunch at the U-Drop Inn in Shamrock, TX

  • Photo Stop in Erick at the Sandhills Curiosity Shop

  • Museum Tour in Clinton at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum

  • Dinner in Weatherford at Pecina’s Mexican Café in Weatherford

• Friday, January 9th

  • Photo Stop in Hydro at Lucille’s Historic Gas Station

  • Photo Stop in Arcadia at Pops 66 Soda Ranch

  • Photo Stop in Luther at the Threatt Filling Station

  • Lunch in Chandler at Route 66 Bowl

  • Photo Stop in Tulsa at the Meadow Gold Neon Sign and Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios

  • Dinner in Tulsa SMOKE Woodfire Grill

• Saturday, January 10th

  • Updated: Photo Stop in Claremore at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum.

  • Photo Stop in Miami at the Coleman Theatre

  • Lunch in Miami at the Main Street Café

  • Ending the day in Lebanon, MO

The schedule and specific timing is still being finalized, so there may be changes between now and the dates of the event. For the latest information, including stops in the other states, check out their website at:

https://www.americasautomotivetrust.org/thedrivehome

Anyone can join the caravan for as long as they like, though additional cruisers must cover their own transportation, food, and lodging. There’s a sign-up link on the same webpage for interested participants to get more information.

A year-long Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series has been announced by Research Route 66, with each virtual session scheduled to take place the second Tuesday of each month in 2026.

Research Route 66 is a collaboration of national archives, libraries, museums, with support from the National Park Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program and the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership. The speaker series takes advantage of the relationships that have been built over the last several decades and includes authors, historians, photographers, and more.

“Throughout the speaker series, participants will hear about diverse topics that highlight Route 66’s impact and legacy,” the group shared with their announcement. “Sessions will cover the history of foodways along the road, American Indian perspectives, the connection between baseball and the highway, atomic history on the route, and much more. These stories will illustrate how Route 66 has helped shape the United States in the 20th century and continues to influence the nation today.”

Attendance is free; registration for sessions through June are open now on their website at: https://speakers.researchroute66.org/. Other session information is being added regularly. All sessions will take place at 1 PM Central Time; each one will be recorded and made available on their YouTube channel at a later date.

The speaker series has also been certified as an Official Route 66 Centennial Activity by the federal U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission. If you’d like to share flyers promoting the series, those are available for download here.

The City of Tulsa has been awarded a $90,000 grant from the latest round of the Oklahoma Route 66 Revitalization Grant Program to install a musical road along a stretch of Tulsa’s Mother Road. The road will be the first musical road installed in Oklahoma.

“I want to thank the Oklahoma Route 66 Revitalization Grant Program, the Tulsa Route 66 Commission, and the many partners who helped us secure this award and continue to advance projects along the Mother Road,” Mayor Monroe Nichols said. “Their commitment has been vital to our Centennial preparations and to strengthening Tulsa’s role as a key destination on Route 66. This installation represents another important step forward in that work.”

A musical road is a stretch of road engineered to produce specific musical notes when vehicles pass over it at a certain speed. This effect is achieved by creating grooves or rumble strips into the pavement at varying intervals. When a vehicle's tires hit these grooves, vibrations generate sound waves that translate into a recognizable melody inside the car.

Musical roads are installed all around the world, including along other stretches of Route 66 in Winslow, Arizona and Tijeras, New Mexico.

“This is going to be a gamechanger for Tulsa!” said District 6 City Councilor Christian Bengel, Vice Chair of the Tulsa Route 66 Commission. “Not only will this be the first musical road in the state, but it will celebrate an Oklahoma artist and put the city on the map with other worldwide attractions in time for the Centennial!”

Ultimately, the City of Tulsa will work with Route 66 Musical Roads LLC to implement the installation.

“Music and driving have been perfect partners since the invention of the vehicle. To have multiple musical roads along U.S. Route 66, one in each state, is obvious to us,” said Chris Hill, co-founder of Route 66 Musical Roads LLC. “But more than that, these projects only succeed when local communities take ownership. From the choice of location to the celebration of opening day, it’s the people of Tulsa who will make this installation truly special.”

“Route 66 is not just a highway-it’s a living thread of American culture, built on the stories of the towns it passes through,” added Pete Thompson, co-founder of Route 66 Musical Roads. “Our role is to provide the engineering and the vision, but the community provides the soul. Working with local leaders, schools, and Route 66 groups ensures these musical roads belong to the people who live alongside them.”

Tulsa’s musical road will tie into a national Route 66 Centennial certified project to dedicate a musical road in each of the eight states that Route 66 traverses. The project is part of official Route 66 Centennial celebrations and initiatives recognized by the Federal Route 66 Centennial Commission.

“As a Federal Commissioner and ardent champion of the Mother Road, I am absolutely thrilled by Tulsa’s selection for the state’s first musical road,” says Michael Wallis, author of seminal book, Route 66: The Mother Road and a Federal Route 66 Commissioner. “The chosen location at the spot on the Arkansas River where East Meets West is brilliant, as is the choice of an iconic Oklahoma song for travelers from around the world to hear.”

The musical road in Tulsa will be installed on the Southwest Boulevard Bridge, which runs parallel to the Cyrus Avery Memorial Bridge, an important landmark in Tulsa’s history as the Capital of Route 66. The site is near several other roadside attractions, namely Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza, the East Meets West sculpture, Route 66 skybridge, the neon sign park, and another Oklahoma Route 66 Revitalization Grant recipient, the 66-foot-tall dinosaur roadside attraction coming soon to Howard Park.

This project is also unique because it is the city’s first “roadbed” attraction. The musical road will be created using thermoplastic rumble strips that when driven over play notes of a song. Work is currently underway to secure permissions and copyright to use a song by an Oklahoma musician, highlighting the importance of featuring a song by a local artist.

Spearheaded by the Tulsa Planning Office and Public Works, this project is one of many ways that the City of Tulsa is preparing for the Centennial next year. The musical road is anticipated to be installed in March 2026, weather permitting, in time for the beginning of tourist season and ahead of the National Main Street Conference in April.