Endangered Buildings & Places

Route 66

The Mother Road runs right through Tulsa, with its motor inns, travel courts, diners, diminutive service stations and neon signs marking the way. Tulsa has 40-some properties along the way in various states of repair, but they are fast disappearing from neglect or abandonment to make way for new construction. A recent icon lost is the Shady Rest Motor Court, demolished in 2006.

Awareness of our Route 66 heritage is on the rise. The City of Tulsa and Tulsa County have recently dedicated funds through Vision 2025 for the Route 66 Master Plan and are working to implement their strategies.