8 Iconic Cultural Locations on Route 66-- Part 2: 'The Outsiders' and 'Breaking Bad'

Here are those eight locations:

1.  "THE OUTSIDERS" HOUSE MUSEUM, Tulsa, Oklahoma

From the 1983 film adaptation of "The Outsiders" directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on the novel by E.S. Hinton.  After decades of disrepair and near demolition it was purchased in 2016 and restored, opening as a museum in 2019.  

Lots of memorabilia from the movie and drop-ins from actors and even Hinton, who is a native of Tulsa.

2.  CENTRAL AVENUE, Abuquerque, New Mexico

Central Avenue is an alignment of Route 66 and is still,lined with motels, diners and neon signs, many of which can be seen in AMC's "Breaking Bad" (2008-2013).

The Dog House has been serving chili-topped footlong hot dogs for over 70 years, and its tail-wagging, suasage-eating neon dachshund makes a few appearances in the show's early years,as does the Crossroads Motel.

--RoadSider

Along66, Jan. 2023: Ike's in Tulsa Celebrating 115 Years in Business

JANUARY 6

Oke's Chili in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is marking its 115th year in business this year.

It originally opened in 1908, one year after Oklahoma's statehood.  It was in an alleyway in downtown Tulsa near East Second Street and South Boston Avenue.

In 1913 Ike's moved to 312 Main Street then was in several different locations after that.  The 1913 menu lists chili at 15 cents a bowl.  Their prices have changed, but their chili has not.  What you got in 1913, you get in 2023.

It is now at 1503 11th Street (Route 66) and has been there for 8 years.  Previously it was at  Admiral Place, which was an early alignment of Route 66.

Don't you know that the father of Route 66, Cyrus Avery must have eaten there.

I had never heard of it before, but it is now on my list of places to visit the next time I am there.

Does this make Ike's the oldest continually operating restaurant in Oklahoma?

--RoadIke's

All Lit Up: Tulsa's Stretch of Route 66 Now Features Over 50 Neon Signs

From the January 26, 2023 Tulsa People by Ethan  Veenker.

I have been following these neon signs in Tulsa on the Route 66 News site.

Route 66 has attracted travelers from around the world in its near  century of existence.  Lately, those cruising  through Tulsa's 28-mile stretch  of the Mother Road will notice a fresh glow of neon lights adorning local businesses.

Like Ken Busby,  executive director and CEI of the Route 66 Alliance said, "Oh, neon signs!  We have some, but we could sure use more."  As I have often said, "You can never have too much neon."

The Route 66 Neon  Sign Grant, the brainchild of the City of Tulsa's  Route 66 Commission, began granting funds in 2019 for businesses along the road to to install or refurbish their own neon  storefront signs.

Tulsa, a Town That Knows Its Heritage.  --RoadDog

Along66, October 2022: Eatin' Corn Dogs and Neon Signs

OCTOBER 3

Corndog eating record broken during Mobil 1's Route 66 tour stop in Albuquerque.

Geoff Esper of Massachusetts ate 11 big corndogs in three minutes and broke the old record which was 8.

Of course, Cozy Dog in Springfield, Illinois, would not agree with this because they were NOT Cozy Dogs!!  I bet Geoff ate them plain when everybody knows a properly clad corn-err Cozy dog should have mustard and raw onions (with a side of Cozy Dog fries).

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OCTOBER 5

The newest neon sign in Tulsa's Route 66 neon sign grant program is at the Chicken and the Wolf restaurant at Harvard Avenue and 11th Avenue (Route 66).

As I Have Often Said, You Can't Ever Have Enough Neon Signs.  --RoadDog

Along66, June 2022: A New Neon Sign in Tulsa and the Will Rogers Museum

JUNE 8

Josey Records' animated neon sign in Tulsa is the 40th business to receive a grant under the city's Route 66 grant program.

It is at 1020 S. Rockford Avenue at East 11th Street (Route 66).

That Tulsa is one gung-ho Route 66 city!!  It is always GOOD to have more neon!!

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JUNE 9

The Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma, is to undergo a $14 million expansion and renovation.  It opened in 1938 and this is the first time this has happened since then.

It will feature new exhibits.  One is a poster collection from the 1920s and 1930s including some of his films.

They are trying to have it completed by 2026, the 100th anniversary of the road.

But, You Knew That Already.  --RoadDog

Along66, March 2022: Ike's Chili Featured on TV

I take these posts from the Route 66 News Blog.  I just pick the ones of most interest to me.  The site has at least one post most every day and has pictures and much more information than I give.   But, if you rally want to know what is going on along the Mother Road, you want to go to this site.  (Plus, my posts are a month old usually.)

MARCH 2, 2022

Ike's Chili of Tulsa, Oklahoma, will have an appearance in the "Drew Barrymore Show."  Ike's is a famous chili which has been served for over a century since 1908.  It has been at its current location at 1503 and 1509 11th Street (Route 66) since 2013.

Earlier it was at Admiral Place (an older alignment of 66) from 1966.

The TV show is a competition and it will be up against two other chili places.  I'll be pulling for it unless one of the other chili places features Cincy Chili.  We have never eaten Ike's Chili, but will be doing so the next time in Tulsa.

I'm also a huge chili fan.  Chili cookoffs help get me through winters.

Good Ike's.  --RoadDog

Along66, Feb. 2022: Route 66 Black Experience Grants, More Neon in Tulsa and Bringing Back the Ghost in Glenrio?

FEBRUARY 8

Key organization launches Route 66 Black Experience Grant Program.

The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership and the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission have provided a $250,000 grant to help give the Black Experience on the Mother Road.

FEBRUARY 15

Another neon sign turns on in Tulsa, Oklahoma's Route 66 Corridor.  This one is at the Dental Design on East 11th Street (Route 66).

A great program.  You can never have too much neon.

FEBRUARY 15

Bringing back the ghost.  A coffee shop, gift shop and possibly a motel is being planned for the Longhorn Cafe and Motel property in our favorite ghost town, good ol' Glenrio.

Like I Said, You Can Never Have Too Much Neon.  --RoadDog

Oklahoma Getting New Route 66 Signage

From the February 17, 2022,  6 KPVI NBC News "new signs  guide travelers on Oklahoma's  Route 66" by Kimberly James.

They are being placed in conjunction with the upcoming centennial celebration of the Mother Road in 2026.

Ken Busby of the Route 66 Alliance said:  "One of the biggest complaints that we receive from travelers is that it is difficult to stay on Route 66 because of the various alignments in some cities and maps are sometimes difficult to follow.

A resurgence of interest in Route 66 came about in  the 1990s with Michael Wallis' book "Route 66:  The Mother Road" and the 2006  Disney/Pixar film "Cars."

Route 66 has played a major role in the history of Oklahoma since its beginning, largely thanks to  Cyrus Avery, "The Father of Route 66."  Without him, it is highly likely that the road never would have come through the state or Tulsa.

When Route 66  first opened in 1926, he convinced the Federal Highway Department that the  11th Street Bridge (built in 1917 and the first concrete, steel-reinforced bridge) in Tulsa was a good way to get across the Arkansas River.

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Illinois and Missouri both have great Route 66 signage to follow.  I'm looking forward to the time all states to the west have similar signage.  It can get confusing.

You Can Never Have Too Much Signage, Neon or (Many) Museums.  --RoadDog

Along66 Dec. 2021: Facades in Tulsa and Illinois State Museum Looking for 66 Stuff

DECEMBER 27

Tulsa Route 66 Main Street organization offering up to $1,000 for facade repairs.  Keep those buildings looking good.

DECEMBER 29 

Illinois State Museum seeking Route 66 items to bolster collection.

They have already gotten a lot of Bob Waldmire items.  This is in preparation for Route 66's 2026 Centennial celebration.  (Let's hope that virus is gone by then.)

They are especially seeking anything to do with the Black Experience on Route 66.

--RoadDog

Along66, Dec. 2021: Something About Coney Dogs and Tulsa

DECEMBER 4

Carl's Coney Island in Tulsa marks its 50th year.

On October 21, they served 50 cent Coney digs all day at its location in Crystal City Shopping Center.

Owner Mike and Janet Cook have sold it, but the new owners say they will keep things the same.

Carl Kennedy founded it in 1971.

Tulsa has a long history with Coney dogs.  One of the regional chains featuring it is the I-Lander which started in 1926.  There is also a Coney Island restaurant downtown.

These were founded by Greek immigrant Christ Economou.

Next time in Tulsa I am going to have to check one of these out.  I am a huge Coney Dog fan and really like the ones at the local Dog 'N Suds that we have around here.  (Three of the seven remaining Dog 'N Suds are located within twenty miles of us here in northeastern Illinois.)

Love Them Coney Dogs!!  --RoadConey

Along66, Oct. 2021: More Neon Please and the Gardenway

OCTOBER 18

Howdy Burger is the 31st sign to benefit from Tulsa's Route 66 Neon Sign grant.

It is on the 11th Street alignment of Route 66 at 1516 E. 11th Street.

As I have oft said, you can never have too much neon.

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OCTOBER 20

The rooftop letters have been taken down from the old Gardenway Motel in Villa Ridge, Missouri.

They, along with the structure were getting increasingly dilapidated.  Plans are to eventually display them at the forthcoming museum and visitor center at the Red Cedar Inn in nearby Pacific, Missouri,

The Gardenway Motel closed in 2014 after years of decline.  Two years ago, its front neon sign was taken down.  It was built in 1946 and apparently demolition is near.

We always enjoyed driving by this lace, but at least they are keeping those giant letters.

--RoadDog

Along 66, June 2021: Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway Grants and Tulsa's Route 66 Neon Sign Grant Program

JUNE 26

Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway awards $50,000 in grants to various projects

Shyview Drive-In Theater in Litchfield received $1,000.

Old Joliet Prison  $1,000

Atlanta   #1,000

Henry's Rabbit Ranch in Staunton  $750

Elkhart   $750

Edwardsville   $500

Among them.  Money makes the places glow, you know.

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JUNE 27

Decropolis becomes the24th recipient of Tulsa's Route 66 Neon Sign Grant Program.  It is located on East 11th Street, the old Route 66.

You can never have too mush neon in my estimation.  Tulsa sure knows how to push its Route 66 heritage.

--RoadDog

Along 66, May 2021: The U-Drop Inn Cafe in Shamrock and More Tulsa Neon

MAY 20

The U-Drop Inn in Shamrock, Texas, will reopen its restaurant.  This will be the first time in a quarter century that it will be open..  The city owns the U-Drop Inn, but will lease the restaurant to Baldo de Leon who will call it the U-Drop Inn Cafe.

He and his parents have operated the El Sombrero restaurant in Shamrock for many years.

Looking forward to eating in that unique structure.

MAY 21

The 20th sign has been installed as part of Tulsa, Oklahoma's Route 66 Neon Sign Grant Program.

The newest one is at the Vault Restaurant at 620 S. Cincinnati Avenue, part of the original Route 66.

As I have often said, you can never have too much neon.

--RoadNeon

Along 66, May 2021: Tulsa's Route 66 Neon Park and Stuckey's

MAY 16

Discover Oklahoma features Tulsa's Route 66 Neon Sign Park.  A segment of this series was done on this new park on Southwest Boulevard (Route 66) near West 17th Street in Southwest Tulsa.

The park features three marge motel signs from the Will Rogers Motor Court on Tulsa's east side, the Oil Capital Motel on the city's west side and the Tulsa Auto Court on Admiral Place.

As I have said many times before, you can never have too much neon in your life.

MAY 18

Stuckey's heiress aims to revive her family's brand..

Stephanie Stuckey, the granddaughter of the company's founder, W.S. "Sylvester" Stuckey, has some mighty high ambitions.  Her grandfather started the business in 1937 and the chain eventually grew to 350 stores, including many on Route 66.

But, the years have been rough on the chain and it declined at one time to just 75 stores, but now it is up to 115.

I Need Me a Pecan Log Roll.  --RoadLog

Along 66, April 2021: Eat-Rite Diner and More Neon

I take these from the Route 66 News blog.  I only take the ones of most interest to me, but if you really want to know what is going on along our Mother Road, this is the source you need to check.  There is something everyday and often more.  Plus pictures and a lot more information.

APRIL 1

The Eat-Rite Diner in St, Louis, Missouri, has a new operator and may reopen by May after closing a few months ago.

I'm excited about this especially because my boycott against St. Louis because of the Confederate statue formerly in Forest Park was removed.  But they did the removal with dignity, a far cry from what those people in Richmond have done.

Plus, I can now get my concrete from Ted Drewe's.  I missed that.

APRIL 2

The 18th sign aided by Tulsa's Route 66 Neon Sign Grant Program has gone up.  It is on the Wildflower Cafe on the corner of Peoria and 11th Street (Route 66)  The cafe is not open yet.

More Neon, More Cafes.  --RoadNeon

Along 66, March 2021: Valentine Diners and House of Pain Neon 'Jump Around'

MARCH 28

Albuquerque Police Substation on Nob Hill was once a Valentine diner.

Valentine diners were prefabricated  mail order small diners produced in Wichita, Kansas, after the Great Depression.  They were produced into the 1970s and a small number remain as  operating businesses (some even as restaurants).

Wikipedia says a few are popular roadside attractions along Route 66.  There are two in Winslow, Arizona  and one in bad shape at Twin Arrows, Arizona.

MARCH 31

Savior of "The Outsiders" house in Tulsa rescues the 11th Street Cleaners neon sign.

Danny Boy O'Connor is a member of the House of Pain rap group (best known for their "Jump Around" song) has bought it.  

He plans to restore it and hang it by his "Outsiders" house.

While on the subject of House of Pain's "Jump Around" you need to go to You Tube and watch videos of the beginning of the 4th quarter of University of Wisconsin football games.  There is also a good one taken at commencement exercises.

"Pack It Up, Pack It In, Let Me Begin, I Came To Win.... Jump Around.  --RoadJump

Along 66: The Golden Driller in Tulsa and Cool Springs' MIA Memorial

MARCH 5

The Golden Driller Plaza in Tulsa, Oklahoma is undergoing a $3 million renovation project.

The Golden Driller is a 76-foot tall, 43,500 pound statue of an oil field roughneck created in 1966 about two miles off 11th Street (Route 66).  This would have explained why I hadn't seen it.  This is considerably larger than the ever-popular Muffler Men.

Reputedly, it is the 6th tallest statue in the United States.

The Oklahoma legislature in 1979 declared it a state monument.

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MARCH 7       More details have been found about the World War II MIA whom is memorialized at Cool Springs Camp in Arizona.

Tech Sergeant Thomas Walker went MIA in 1944.  There is a section on an inside wall as a tribute to him.  He helped his family run the business there before the war.

--RoadDog

Along 66, Jan. 2021: More Neon in Tulsa and Joplin's Black Heritage

JANUARY 10

The 16th neon sign has been completed in Tulsa, thanks to the city's Neon Sign Grant Program.

This sign is at Justin Thompson Catering located near 11th Street, which, of course, is none other than good ol' 66.

Like the guy on SNL said, to paraphrase him, "We need more neon."  You can never ever have too much neon.

JANUARY 11

A new exhibit in Joplin, Missouri examines Route 66's impact on culture.  The exhibit is called "Route 66:  Crossing Lines" and is at the Spiva Center for the Arts and runs through March 6.

Just in time for Black History Month, it focuses on black baseball players and jazz artists.  

Jackie Robinson and Satchel Paige, while in the old Negro Baseball League, played in Joplin's Miners Park.

Jazz performers Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie and Duke Ellington also performed in Joplin.

More Neon!!  --RoadDog

Along 66, October 2020: Tulsa Race Massacre, Litchfield Veterans and the Amboy Crater

OCTOBER 22

Ten coffins were found in a mass grave which may have been victims of the 1921 Tulsa, Oklahoma Race Massacre.  

A sad chapter of Route 66 history along with the way black motorists were treated.

See my Cooter's History Thing blog for more information.

OCTOBER 23

Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center wins a $30,000 grant to expand their veterans exhibit.  They have lots of information on Litchfield and area veterans who served.  The last time through there, we stopped and I asked about War of 1812 veterans buried around the town and they had several pages worth of names and information.  You don't usually think of War of 1812 veterans and Illinois.

OCTOBER 25

Amboy Crater in California is among the newest additions to the National Trail System.  It is located in California's Mojave Desert

Some 30 sites were added to the list.

The crater, located near Amboy (Roy's), population 5, is 1.5 miles long and984 feet high at the rim and has quite a view, or so I have heard.

That Had to be Quite an Impact When That Meteor Hit.  Wondering How Roy's Survived?  Probably Why Gas Is So Expensive There.    --RoadIte

Along 66, October 2020: Tulsa's Neon Sign and the Brookshore Motel Is No More

OCTOBER  4

The 15th neon sign either built or restored along Tulsa, Oklahoma's Route 66 Corridor has been turned on.  It is at the Mother Road Market & Shops at 11th Street (Route 66) and Lewis Avenue.

I've said it before and will say it again, you can NEVER have too much neon.

OCTOBER 14

The long-troubled Brookshire Motel in Tulsa has been torn down.  It has been vacant a long time and lots of suspicious stuff happening there.  Most recently they had the fourth fire at the site with one body found.

It used to be at 11017 E. 11th Street (Route 66)

The sign is the only thing left standing and I hope it can be saved.  Add it to all that  great neon stuff Tulsa has going on these days.

--RoadDog