Route 66 Centennial Monuments Coming To 46 Oklahoma Communities
- mike33692
- 3 hours ago
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Route 66 Centennial Monuments Coming To 46 Oklahoma Communities
As Oklahoma prepares to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66, communities across the state will soon receive permanent monuments honoring the history, culture and landmarks that helped make the Mother Road one of America's most iconic highways.
The Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission is funding the installation of 46 commemorative monuments stretching across Oklahoma's entire Route 66 corridor. Each monument celebrates the unique history of its hometown while encouraging travelers to explore local attractions ahead of the highway's centennial celebration in 2026.
Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission Funds Statewide Project
The six-foot-tall monuments are designed to resemble the historic Route 66 highway shield while showcasing artwork unique to each community.
The project is being funded through the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission in partnership with the Route 66 Revitalization Grant Program.
Allen Sign Studio, based in Miami, Oklahoma, is fabricating and installing the monuments, while Hampton Creative, a Tulsa-based design firm, created the custom artwork featured on each display.
Each monument also includes a QR code that allows visitors to instantly access information about the community's history, attractions, restaurants and local landmarks.
Officials say the project is designed to encourage travelers to spend more time exploring Oklahoma's Route 66 communities while preserving the stories that helped shape the state's portion of the legendary highway.
Route 66 Centennial Monuments Span The Entire State
The monument project includes communities from the Oklahoma-Arkansas border to the Texas state line.
Among the locations receiving monuments are Miami, Commerce, Vinita, Claremore, Catoosa, Sapulpa, Stroud, Chandler, Arcadia, Edmond, Oklahoma City, El Reno, Clinton, Weatherford, Elk City, Sayre, Erick and Texola, along with dozens of additional Route 66 communities.
Several monuments have already been installed in communities including Miami, Sapulpa, Chandler, Edmond and Yukon, with additional installations continuing across the state.
The artwork on each monument reflects the local history and identity of its community, making every stop along the route unique for visitors traveling Oklahoma's 400-plus miles of historic Route 66.
Celebrating The Mother Road's Historic Legacy
Oklahoma contains more drivable miles of Historic Route 66 than any other state, making it one of the centerpiece destinations for next year's international centennial celebration.
State tourism leaders expect the anniversary to draw thousands of visitors from across the United States and around the world as travelers retrace the famous highway through Oklahoma.
The new monuments are intended to serve as lasting landmarks that celebrate each community's contribution to the Mother Road while creating new opportunities for tourism and local economic growth.
As preparations continue for the 2026 centennial, the monument project represents one of the state's most visible investments in preserving Oklahoma's Route 66 heritage. Officials hope the displays will inspire both longtime Route 66 enthusiasts and first-time visitors to stop, explore local businesses and discover the unique stories that have made Oklahoma an essential part of America's most famous highway for the past century.
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