The Importance of Route 66 Historical Village in Tulsa, Oklahoma

The historic Route 66 is one of America’s most iconic highways, a sprawling rib­bon of asphalt evoking memories of the open road and a better future. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, the spiritual heartland of Route 66, the importance of the road and its culture is celebrated each year at the Tulsa Route 66 Historical Village, a museum campus dedicated to preserving the heritage and stories of the famous highway. Visit this link for more information.

The first stretch of Route 66 was commissioned in 1926 and was later extended from Illinois to the Pacific Coast, linking Chicago to Los Angeles. Route 66 was an engineering marvel, tying the various highways that made up the original US highway system into one continuous 2,400-mile stretch. For over half a century, Route 66 was the main artery for cars seeking to go West. Route 66 quickly became embedded in American culture. It inspired numerous books, songs, and movies, such as the Will Rogers Follies and the classic 1960s television series Route 66. It was also the precursor for the modern interstate system, ushering in a new era of transportation efficiency. See here for information about The Attractions of Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

By 1991, the historic charm of Route 66 was quickly fading into a forgotten relic of the past. To counteract this, the Tulsans for Historic Preservation began developing a plan to preserve the iconic highway and Tulsa’s particular connection to it, launching the Route 66 Historical Village in 1993. The Route 66 Historical Village is an eight-acre museum campus located in downtown Tulsa. It features a 3,000-foot stretch of the original highway and showcases over a dozen vintage cars, representing nearly a century of automotive history.

The campus also features numerous educational exhibits detailing the history of Route 66 and its transformation over the decades. There are also several interactive displays where visitors can get hands­on with the various artifacts, such as a replica of the first motel that served travelers along the highway. The Route 66 Historical Village is dedicated to preserving the unique culture surrounding the iconic highway. The Village hosts an annual ‘Route 66 Days festival, celebrating the diverse cultures and stories that define the highway. Visitors can enjoy an authentic taste of the road, with music, food, and activities from the era.

In addition, the historical village strives to preserve the roadside culture of Route 66. This includes restoring and maintaining the original vignettes and signs that can be found scattered along the highway, allowing visitors to experience the authentic atmosphere of a working Route 66 business. The Route 66 Historical Village in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a living embodiment of America’s past, weaving together the stories, cultures, and artifacts of the iconic highway into one cohesive narrative. Every year, visitors to the village are able to learn more about the history and culture of Route 66 while also experiencing a little bit of the American dream. This makes the Tulsa Route 66 Historical Village an important part of preserving the legacy of the iconic highway.