The Mother Road officially has a capital. Tulsa, Oklahoma.
After a dedicated journey of more than two years, filled with rigorous research and surveys, the Tulsa Route 66 Commission successfully secured a copyright on the phrase “Capital of Route 66.”
The iconic highway, spanning 2,238 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, was first proposed in the early 1900s to improve transportation from the Midwest to the West. Conceived by entrepreneurs Cyrus Avery of Tulsa, OK, and John Woodruff of Springfield, MO, they hoped to pave a pathway to prosperity in the West.
“Route 66 is an integral part of Tulsa’s identity and we’ve long been known as the Capital of Route 66. To have this official designation is an exciting day for Tulsa, our region, and the state of Oklahoma,” says Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum in a press release.
In fact, 28 miles of Route 66 runs through the heart of the city, and the first U.S. 66 Highway Association was also founded in Tulsa.
“My husband and I live in Tulsa and love exploring historic Route 66. There are some really neat shops, art murals, and restaurants that go right through town,” says Ashlee Fechino, Tulsa-based travel writer and founder of The Happiness Function. “It’s great to see Tulsa getting the national recognition it deserves.”
Officially established in 1926 and fully paved by 1938, the highway passed through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. It quickly became a symbol of freedom and adventure, capturing the essence of the American road trip. Today, the route remains a cultural icon attracting travelers and history lovers from all over the world.
Tulsa’s Route 66: Neon Lights and Quirky Sites
Along Tulsa’s stretch of Route 66, you’ll find neon signs, quirky photo ops, murals, souvenir shops, landmarks, and tons of good eats within eight different Route 66 Districts.
Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios is known for its 21-foot-tall Buck Atom Muffler Man and his newest gal pal, the Stella Atom Space Cowgirl. DECOPOLIS Discovitorium and TulsaRama offer immersive experiences, including an Art Deco-themed town square, mini-museums, and the Mesmer Island dig site where you can sift for treasures.
The Route 66 Historical Village is an open-air museum offering visitors a look into Tulsa’s history in oil and transportation history. Here, you’ll find a replica of a 1920’s Phillips 66 gas station, a restored steam engine, the tallest oil derrick in North America, and other historic attractions.
USA TODAY named the Mother Road Market the number one food hall in America for the second year in a row. The market hosts everything from Route 66-themed food trucks and unique retail shops to mini golf and live music events.
Whether you’re looking to learn more about the route’s storied past or searching for something strange and unusual, the Capital of Route 66 promises to surprise and delight at every turn.
A Commitment to Preserving the Mother Road
But it doesn’t stop there. The City and its Route 66 Commission are committed to enhancing the route, encouraging businesses to participate in its restoration and beautification through grant programs.
“Working tirelessly behind the scenes, Tulsa’s Route 66 Commissioners continue the same forward-thinking momentum Cyrus Avery began almost 100 years ago,” said Chairman of the Tulsa Route 66 Commission Josh Stout. “We are restoring and reinventing the Capital of Route 66 for the next century of dreamers, preserving the history while simultaneously investing in new growth across Tulsa’s corridor.”
Route 66 will celebrate its 98th anniversary on November 11, 2024.
Alexandrea Sumuel Groves is a nationally syndicated travel writer and founder of the Wander With Alex travel blog. Her work has appeared on MSN, YAHOO!, Euronews, and FOX, ABC, and NBC affiliates across the United States.
Alex travels to experience, eat, explore, and occasionally escape! She collaborates with destinations, vacation property management companies, and hospitality technology firms to provide her readers with exclusive insights and information.