Route 66 Resources
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66 with the Oklahoma Historical Society. Discover podcasts, archives and collections, destinations, historic properties, and encyclopedia entries!
Featured Exhibits
The Longest Stretch:
Route 66 in Oklahoma
Experience the stories and history of Route 66 with our dynamic new exhibit at the Oklahoma History Center.
Will Rogers Highway: Route 66
The Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore explores various dedications of Route 66—the Will Rogers Highway—in memory of Will Rogers and the highway’s place in pop culture.
Faces of the Mother Road: The Lost Portraits of S. J. Tyler
For nearly 40 years, S. J. Tyler photographed the people who lived, worked, and traveled through Afton, Oklahoma. Tyler’s portraits, created between 1913 and 1950, are a time capsule of everyday lives and the extraordinary diversity that flourished along Route 66.
View the Faces of the Mother Road exhibit at the Oklahoma History Center.
Upcoming Events
Roots & Routes Community Event
October 23–24, The Chisholm
The Chisholm in Kingfisher is hosting a 1930s event on October 23 and 24 that will help you take a step back in time. Friday includes educational activities for school groups and homeschoolers, and Saturday is a family day with a bean supper and concert. Admission to the exhibits is free on Saturday.
View Roots & Routes details
Route 66 Centennial Celebration VIP Party
November 11, OKPOP
On November 11, the Mother Road turns 100, and Oklahoma is throwing a monumental birthday party in Tulsa. The OKPOP Museum VIP Party will be between the street party and the concerts from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Enjoy elevated food and beverages, Route 66 atmosphere, and get a closer look at the people and stories shaping the Mother Road’s next century.
Learn more and get tickets
Overground Railroad: The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America
November 20, Oklahoma History Center
Discover the stories behind The Green Book and its lasting impact on American history and Route 66. Author Candacy Taylor will share about her book and sign copies. Guests are welcome to tour galleries prior to the program.
View Candacy Taylor event details
Crossroads of America: Oklahoma’s Route 66 Documentary
Crossroads of America: Oklahoma’s Route 66 reveals why Oklahoma is the heart of the Mother Road, weaving together the rich history of America’s most iconic highway with the inspiring stories of the people who continue to live, dream, and shape Route 66’s next 100 years.
Upcoming Free Screenings
- October 15 - 7 p.m., Showbiz Cinemas, Edmond
Reserve a free seat - October 22 - 7 p.m., Circle Cinema, Tulsa
- October 27 - 6 p.m., Centre Theatre, El Reno
- November 2 - Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
The event begins at 6 p.m. with a book signing featuring Michael Wallis, author of Route 66, 100th Anniversary Edition: The Mother Road, and Jim Ross and Shellee Graham, authors of Route 66: The First 100 Years. The free film screening begins at 7 p.m. View November 2 event details. - November 8 - 2:30 p.m., Coleman Theatre, Miami
- November 11 - Centennial Celebration, Tulsa
- November 12 - 7 p.m., OETA
Dive into Route 66 History and Culture
Explore the Archives
Find photographs, newspapers, manuscripts, oral histories, film, maps, and so much more.
The Gateway to Oklahoma History - view photographs, newspapers, documents, maps, and more online
Research Catalog - search holdings available in the OHS Research Center
A Very OK Podcast
Check out A Very OK Podcast episodes with a Route 66 connection.
The Chronicles of Oklahoma
Read articles from our scholarly journal on The Gateway to Oklahoma History.
- “Cyrus Avery, the Ozark Trail, and the Birth of Route 66,” Jen Jones, (Fall 2017)
- “‘Proud of What It Means’: Route 66, Oklahoma’s Mother Road,” Jim Ross, (Fall 1995)
- “The Twilight of Route 66: Transitioning from Highway to Freeway, 1956–84,” Frank Norris, (Fall 2015)
The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture
Discover the people, places, and events related to Route 66 in the Sooner State.
Route 66 Topics
Cyrus Avery
Good Roads Association
Highways
Route 66
Okie Migration
Ozark Trail Highway
Transportation
Cities and Towns on the Mother Road
Afton
Arcadia
Bethany
Bridgeport
Bristow
Calumet
Canute
Catoosa
Chandler
Chelsea
Claremore
Clinton
Commerce
Davenport
Depew
Edmond
El Reno
Elk City
Erick
Foss
Foyil
Geary
Hydro
Kellyville
Luther
Miami
Oklahoma City
Quapaw
Sapulpa
Sayre
Stroud
Texola
Tulsa
Verdigris
Vinita
Warr Acres
Warwick
Weatherford
Wellston
Yukon
Visit Oklahoma Historical Society Destinations on Route 66
Clinton
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum
The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum shares the history of the Mother Road through dynamic exhibits.
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma History Center
The Oklahoma History Center is the home of the Oklahoma Historical Society. Visit the Museum, Research Center, and the State Historic Preservation Office.
Claremore
Will Rogers Memorial Museum
The Will Rogers Memorial Museum celebrates the life and contributions of Oklahoma’S Favorite Son, Will Rogers.
Stories and Historic Video
“An Oklahoma Story of Place: Voices of Preservation”
Threatt Filling Station
The family-owned and operated 1915 Threatt Filling Station was located along Route 66 near Luther, Oklahoma. It served African American travelers and local residents.
Ramsey Family Video
This silent film includes Arthur and Estelle Ramsey’s 1942 trip from Oklahoma to California via Route 66. Oklahoman Arthur Ramsey was an early newsreel photographer.
Historic Places
Overholser Bridge
The National Register of Historic Places
Listing in the National Register of Historic Places is an honorific designation that provides recognition, limited protection, and, in some cases, financial incentives for these important properties. The State Historic Preservation Office identifies, evaluates, and nominates properties for this special designation.
Use the links below to access the National Register nomination and learn more about a specific property on okshpo-share.com
- 66 Motel, Tulsa
- Arcadia Route 66 Roadbed, Arcadia
- Avant’s Cities Service Station, El Reno
- Beard Motor Company, Bristow
- Blue Dome Historic District, Tulsa
- Bridge No. 18 at Rock Creek, Sapulpa
- Bridgeport Bridge, Bridgeport
- Bridgeport Hill Service Station, Geary
- Bridgeport Hill-Hydro OK 66 Segment, Hydro
- Bristow Firestone Service Station, Bristow
- Bristow Motor Company Building, Bristow
- Bristow Tire Shop, Bristow
- Canute Service Station, Canute
- Captain Creek Bridge, Wellston
- Casa Grande Hotel, Elk City
- Casa Loma Hotel, Tulsa
- Chelsea Motel, Chelsea
- Cities Service Station, Afton
- Cities Service Station #8, Tulsa
- Claremore Auto Dealership, Claremore
- Crane Motor Company Building, Chandler
- Depew Route 66 Segment, Depew
- Eleventh Street Arkansas River Bridge, Tulsa
- Foyil Filling Station, Claremore
- Horse Creek Bridge, Afton
- Hotel Lincoln, Stroud
- Hotel Vinita, Vinita
- Jackson Conoco Service Station, El Reno
- Lake Overholser Bridge, Oklahoma City
- Little Cabin Creek Bridge, Vinita
- Little Deep Fork Creek Bridge, Bristow
- Magnolia Service Station, Texola
- McDougal Filling Station, Vinita
- Miami Marathon Oil Company Service Station, Miami
- Miami Original Nine-Foot Section of Route 66 Roadbed, Miami
- Narcissa D-X Gas Station, Miami
- Ozark Trails Section of Route 66, Stroud
- Phillips 66 Station No. 1423, Chandler
- Provine Service Station, Hydro
- Pryor Creek Bridge, Chelsea
- Randall Tire Company, Vinita
- Riviera Courts-Motel, Miami
- Rock Cafe, Stroud
- Sayre Champlin Service Station, Sayre
- Seaba’s Filling Station, Chandler
- Sinclair Service Station, Tulsa
- Spraker Service Station, Vinita
- Tank Farm Loop Route 66 Roadbed, Bristow
- Texaco Service Station, Bristow
- Threatt Filling Station, Luther
- Vickery Phillips 66 Station, Tulsa
- West Sapulpa Route 66 Roadbed, Sapulpa
- West Winds Motel, Erick
- Whittier Square Historic District, Tulsa
- Y Service Station and Cafe, Clinton
Historical Markers
Learn about Historical Markers recognizing Route 66 in Oklahoma.
- 1928 Route 66 Footrace, Rogers County
- Arcadia Historical Marker, Oklahoma County
- Coleman Theatre, Ottawa County
- Historic Route 66 Ribbon Road – Sidewalk Highway, Ottawa County
- Pryor Creek Bridge, Rogers County
- Route 66, Oklahoma County
- Will Rogers Highway, Rogers County
Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office Resources
Architectural Survey
Thematic Survey
- “Route 66 in Oklahoma: An Historic Preservation Survey,” 1984 (PDF)
- “Final Survey Report for the Oklahoma Route 66 Historic Resources Survey, 1926–70,” 2002 (PDF)
- “Oklahoma Route 66 Roadbed Documentation Project (1926–1970): A Survey of Roadbed and Integral Structures,” 2001–02 (PDF)
- “Oklahoma Route 66 Roadbed Documentation Project (1926–1970): Part 2: Priorities and Management Strategies,” 2002–03 (PDF)
- “Route 66 in Oklahoma City Historic Context,” 2020 (PDF)
- “Thematic Survey of Route 66, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma,” 2021 (PDF)
- “Thematic Survey of Route 66, Tulsa County, Oklahoma,” 2020 (PDF)
“How to Advocate for Route 66 Resources”
Oklahoma History Center Museum Education Resources
Resources-By-Standard Guides for Educators
Guides correlating to Oklahoma History Academic Standards
View standard OKH.6.8 - Describe the changing perceptions, both internal and external, of the state and its citizens, as reflected in The Grapes of Wrath, the musical Oklahoma!, Route 66, and the professional basketball team the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Continue Exploring with TravelOK
Tourism and Recreation
Find events and attractions across the state and plan your Route 66 road trip at travelok.com . Don’t forget to download or request your Route 66 Guide and Passport .
