About the Blog: We started RVing in 2019, but did not decide to start blogging about our experiences until 2021. So, we have some catching up to do. We’ll sprinkle in some new present-day stories as they happen. But if you have time, start at the beginning. You’ll learn (and hopefully laugh) a lot.
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Route 66 in Tulsa — Top Things (Tulsa - Part 2 of 4)
Having fell in love with Route 66 en route to Tulsa, we decided to spend an entire day driving along that road in Tulsa city proper.
When: Monday October 19, 2020 to Saturday October 24, 2020 (five nights)
Where: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Bucket List: Route 66 Monoliths; Neon Signs; Golden Driller Statue
Having fell in love with Route 66 en route to Tulsa, we decided to spend an entire day driving along that road in Tulsa city proper. We started by having (a big!) breakfast at Ollie’s Station (4070 Southwest Blvd) – a restaurant and railroad museum. This is a classic mom-n-pop diner, and the comfort food is just as good as one would expect. The restaurant is located in the famed Red Fork Corner in Tulsa, where the oil and railroad industries merged with Route 66. It is easy to spend an hour or more just looking at all of the railroad memorabilia on the walls.
Just north up the road is the Route 66 Village (3770 Southwest Boulevard), a still-under-construction tourist destination with an oil derrick, several railroad cars, and a Phillips 66-style gas station visitors center (closed for covid-19). We had the place to ourselves, and took a few cheesy pictures.
As we traveled further north, we saw what we think is the largest Goodwill store ever (covering literally 3 blocks!). Shortly thereafter, in Howard Park, we located the Route 66 Monoliths. Constructed in 2016, these three nine-foot stone limestone sculptures created by Patrick Sullivan have the following themes: Transportation, Industry/Native American, and Art Deco/Cultural. They don’t look like much driving up. However, once I got close, I spent quite a bit of time reveling in their simple informative beauty. As I wrote this blog, I discovered that the monoliths were one of my favorite works of art on this trip.
Howard Park in Tulsa - Monoliths
Just before the 11th Street Bridge over the Arkansas River on Route 66 (west side), there are three Retro Neon Signs on a brick plaza just constructed in late 2020. The three signs represent (1) east Tulsa – the Will Rogers Motor Court, (2) west Tulsa – the Oil Capital Motel, and (3) the Admiral Place sections of Tulsa – the Tulsa Auto Court. They all make for good selfies. A chain link fence separates the park from part of the original Route 66 road. There is not much to see there as pavement is not that inspiring.
Tulsa Retro Neon Sign (installed in the fall of 2020)
A Pedestrian/Bike Bridge can be used to cross the Arkansas River. The path contains the names of some of the major stops along Route 66 in faded white paint, and was perhaps one of the most interesting finds of the trip. The decay of the paint perhaps symbolized that of the Mother Road itself. I went back to the bridge later and took photos of each of the city names. Those photos are in the map below. I later incorporated that near the end of my “Tulsa is Okay” song and video.
After crossing the Arkansas River on Route 66 is the Cyrus Avery Plaza, named for the “Father of Route 66”. The parking is across the street (access by car from Riverside Drive), but there is a pedestrian walkway that crosses the busy road that makes the walk worth doing.
Downtown Tula features a lot of art deco, and the path along Route 66 is no exception. However, I think the coolest part starts near the Medal Gold District, which includes the iconic sign of the same name, the Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios statue and signs. A few blocks later, you can see Tulsa University to the north, which is worth parking to explore the beautiful private institution.
Tulsa Golden Driller - with a Mask! I’m as big as this guy’s shoe!
A trip to Tulsa would not be complete without the infamous Golden Driller Statue to the south of Route 66, located in the Expo Square. This 75-foot-tall (23 m) 43,500-pound (19,700 kg) monstrosity is a must do. The engineering to cover this golden boy in a mask was inspiring as well.
If you like to explore, this route will fill up close to an entire day.
The map below contains additional photos that we took on Route 66 in Tulsa. Please enjoy!
Other Blogs in the Tulsa Series:
Route 66 Near Tulsa (Miami to Sapulpa) -- Top Things to See
Route 66 Attractions through Tulsa
Route 66 near Tulsa— Top Things (Tulsa - Part 1/4)
We took our time traveling from Miami to Tulsa, taking Route 66 instead of the interstate. This was our first time taking the historical highway, and it was worth every minute. Inspired by that dawdling, we also spent a morning traveling further south from Tulsa to Sapulpa on Route 66 to check out some other tourist attractions.
When: Monday October 19, 2020
Where: Route 66 (Miami to Sapulpa)
Bucket List: Catoosa Whale (Catoosa, Oklahoma); Totem Pole Park (near Foyil, Oklahoma)
In the mid 1990s, Kasie had lived in Tulsa for a brief period of time. Because we had already traveled to two of my former homes (Manhattan KS and Lawrence KS) this summer, I thought it would be fun to visit some place she had once lived. Plus, we could spend a couple of days with her folks in Miami, Oklahoma (pronounced “My-AM-ah” by the locals) on the way down.
We took our time traveling from Miami to Tulsa, taking Route 66 instead of the interstate. This was our first time taking the historical highway, and it was worth every minute. Inspired by that dawdling, we also spent another morning a few days later traveling further south from Tulsa to Sapulpa on Route 66 to check out some other tourist attractions.
Going from northeast to the southwest, we made stops at:
Route 66 Original Highway Marker
o Located between Miami and Afton, Oklahoma.
o This "Ribbon Road" (competed in 1922) is the only remaining 9-foot wide segment of what would later become part of Route 66 The Mother Road began construction a few years later in 1926. For more information, check out this link. There isn’t much to see, but the landmark made me want to further read about and explore the highway.
Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park
o Located near Foyil, Oklahoma.
o Built in the late 1940s, this unique park features 90-foot tall totem pole having a 30-foot wide turtle base. For more information, check out Wikipedia link or NPS article.
Standing Brave Statue
o Located at the Travel Plaza in Big Cabin, Oklahoma.
o Estimated to be about 50 feet tall, this statue was built by Wade Leslie from 2000-2001. There are reportedly 105 feathers in Standing Brave’s headdress, of which the largest is 5 feet long. The Oklahoma state flag is integrated into Standing Brave’s shield. For more information, check out this article.
Original Route 66 Highway Marker — Between Miami and Afton Oklahoma
Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park - Foyil Oklahoma
Route 66 Tunnel
Route 66 Tunnel in Chelsea Oklahoma
o Located in Chelsea, Oklahoma
o This pedestrian tunnel goes under Rule 66. In 2016, a local artist Ken Hollingshead painted the mural, while the other side has been filled with space for Route 66 travelers to sign their names.
Catoosa Whale
o Located in Catoosa, Oklahoma.
o In the early 1970s, Hugh Davis built an 80-foot-long whale out of pipe and concrete in a little pond on their property. The whale is still floating strong, but a nearby abandoned replica of Noah’s Ark built a few years later did not fair so well. The property also featured about a dozen artistic domed metal mushrooms that once encircled a pond.
o As of this post, the Blue Whale Facebook page captures a lot of visitors and events happening at this attraction. There is a little visitors/shop area as well.
Bronze Buffalo
o Located at 1245 New Sapulpa Road in Sapulpa, Oklahoma (just between Route 66 and I-44)
o This “Guardian of the Plains” was Sapulpa’s contribution to the 2007 Oklahoma Centennial. It reportedly measures 8 feet long, five feet wide and 12 feet tall. The concept was created by local Russell Crosby and the sculptor was Jim Gilmore of Alamosa, Colorado.
Gulf Oil Station
o Corner of Water and Hobson in Sapulpa (just a block from Route-66)
o Worth a snapshot.
World's Tallest Gas Pump
o Located just south of Sapulpa
o Built in 2018, this was commissioned by the adjacent Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum
This trip really inspired me to learn more about Route 66 and explore it in greater detail. It would be cool start at the beginning in Chicago and travel all of the way to California. I now have a “bucket list” goal of driving the entire Route 66 road in 66 days. There is just so much to see and do!
If you want the route, check out the map below. Feel free to have a look!
Bronze Buffalo outside of Sapulpa, Oklahoma
Gulf Oil Station in Sapulpa, Oklahoma
World’s Larges Gas Pump in Sapulpa Oklahoma
Other Blogs in the Tulsa Series:
Route 66 In Tulsa -- Top Things to See