Roadside Attraction Sign Replacement Project
In the early 2000s, Hampton Inn’s Save a Landmark program launched a 66-day caravan along the Mother Road to highlight various sites along the famous highway. Led by preservationist and historian Jim Conkle and other advocates like Guy Randall, the tour was responsible for various cleanup projects and the installation of “Roadside Attraction” signs. Volunteers refurbished sites to varying degrees with sponsorship and support from AAA, TA Travel of America, Route 66 Associations, and other organizations. You can more read about that caravan here.
These signs, now decades old, became worn and weathered over the years. Some even went gone missing entirely. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association proud started a program in 2022 to replace the faded and missing signs across the state! Over a dozen locations were originally signed by Hampton Inn (some before the caravan, even) and the Association identified each location, the current status of the signs, and any updates to the text that were needed to represent the last twenty years of progress.
The first replacement signs went up in August 2022 at the Blue Whale of Catoosa after the old signs were hit by a car:
Most of the other signs in Oklahoma have also been delivered and installed! Below are a few before/after photos and a list of the project’s current status:
Many thanks to the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona for their help on the sign templates and to Peak Sign and Design of Catoosa for the fabrication work!
If you are a business or attraction on Route 66 that wants your OWN Roadside Attraction sign set, we are happy to announce that we have expanded this program to include purchasing a set directly from the Association! Signs are $250 a set and some restrictions apply to ensure that the signage continues to highlight historic properties. We will work with you on verbiage for the informational sign so that it best matches the existing signage along the route. More information is listed on the application form:
Please fill out this form to get started!
We are working with the other State Associations and the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership to help expand this effort to other states as a Centennial project; stay tuned!
Hampton Inn-era Signage
Phillips 66 Station in Chandler
Old signage partially missing
Seaba Station in Warwick
Replaced
Round Barn in Arcadia
Old signage present and in good condition
Ann’s Chicken Fry in Oklahoma City
Site closed, old signage kept by family
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton
Replaced
National Route 66 Museum in Elk City
Replaced (new signage not yet installed)
Sandhills Curiosity Shop in Erick
Replaced (original signage still present also)
Coleman Theatre Beautiful in Miami
Replaced
Afton Station in Afton
Site closed, old signage preserved by the Association
Blue Whale in Catoosa
Replaced
Mojo’s Famous BBQ in Catoosa
Building repurposed, status of original signs unknown
Admiral Twin Drive-In in Tulsa
Replaced
11th Street Bridge in Tulsa
Replaced (new signage not yet installed)
Rock Cafe in Stroud
Replaced
New Signage Locations
Pappy Litch Park in Galena, KS
(originally part of the Hampton Inn-era signage program)
Rockwood Motor Court in Springfield, MO
Gary’s Gay Parita Station in Paris Springs, MO
Spencer Station in Spencer, MO
Gearhead Curios in Galena, KS
Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios in Tulsa, OK
Suptertam on 66 in Carterville, MO
Hi-Way Cafe in Vinita, OK
Boots Court in Carthage, MO
Red Oak II near Carthage, MO
Western Motel in Vinita, OK
1889 Territorial Schoolhouse in Edmond, OK
Blue Hippo in Edmond, OK
Oldham County Courthouse in Vega, TX
(originally part of the Hampton Inn-era signage program)
Dot’s Mini Museum in Vega, TX
(originally part of the Hampton Inn-era signage program)
Texas Ivy Antiques in Amarillo, TX