Consider this your big, bright, flashing sign to pay a visit to Tulsa on Route 66.
Neon signs were first brought to the US in the 1920s, and they maintained their allure throughout the 1960s. In most places across the country, they’ve been phased out in favor of faster and cheaper signage production. But thanks to The City of Tulsa and the Route 66 Commission’s neon sign grant, the Mother Road still glows in T-Town.
Relive the neon era when you drive Route 66 through Tulsa. Here you’ll find the soft glow of neon, glass carefully crafted into vintage-inspired designs, flashing arrows inviting you to stay a while. It’s all a sight for eyes sore from the LED of it all.
See how many of these iconic neon signs you can spot on your next visit to the Mother Road.
Main Street Welcomes You
This outdoor museum of Route 66 and Tulsa treasures is marked by a glowing, retro-inspired road sign. (As if North America’s tallest oil derrick, standing at 154 feet, wasn’t enough to grab your attention.) The center gives you a taste of life on the road over time, from an old train depot to a 1920s style gas station.
3770 Southwest Boulevard, Tulsa, OK
This one’s a threefer. The neon signs that light up the space just across the river from the Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza are reproductions of classic Route 66 signage. The originals were demolished, but preservation efforts brought the Oil Capital Motel, Tulsa Auto Court, and Will Rogers Motor Court signs back to life.
1450 Southwest Blvd, Tulsa, OK
The Meadow Gold Glow
Of all the neon signs on Route 66, this one might have the most lore. Originally located in the current day Market District at 11th and Lewis, the sign was commissioned by Beatrice Creamery Company. Its distinct angled orientation is rumored to have been designed so that the rival Hawk Dairy Company could see it from their window. It fell into disrepair over the decades, and the building below was slated for demolition in the 2000s. Folks at the Tulsa Foundation for Architecture and the Oklahoma Route 66 Association partnered with the original makers at Claude Neon to restore the sign to its former glory at its new location.
1306 E 11th St, Tulsa, OK
This is the type of retro neon sign that inspires the modern makes. A true relic of the neon era, the El Rancho Grande sign dates back to the 1950s, and features a matador lassoing the restaurant’s name. The sign first appeared when the restaurant moved from its original home in Downtown Tulsa to its current location on Route 66.
1629 E 11th St, Tulsa, OK
Just past the flashing arrow of the Pearl Shops, you can see the red glow of the neon sign at Ike’s Chili, a Tulsa staple going on 118 years. In fact, the old school restaurant has a few signs that light up the side of their building, but the one out front is a brand new addition to the storefront’s recent renovation.
1020 S. Rockford Ave, Tulsa, OK
Market District Marvels
Tucked just behind the Tulsa Market District sign is Oklahoma’s premier food hall, Mother Road Market. It’s marked by a large neon sign complete with the Route 66 shield and a big arrow directing you to the parking lot behind the building. Here, you’ll find flavors to satisfy every craving and shops to stock up on local goods, making it the perfect pit stop on your neon sign tour of Tulsa.
1124 S Lewis Ave, Tulsa, OK
A+ Signs in University District
This motor-court motel, once a staple of America’s Highway, is one of the few of its kind still in operation today. The iconic neon sign lighting up its entrance was crafted in the 1970s by Claude Neon, and its glowing cactus and colorful palette keep this area of Route 66 bright.
5220 E 11th St, Tulsa, OK
The 1950s style diner on Route 66 has always been well lit, but a recent upgrade to the neon sign above Tally’s Cafe has made the spot a landmark. The wildly colorful signage out front is just a taste of the cafe’s retro interior and the warm hospitality served with every classic dish of comfort food.
1102 S Yale Ave, Tulsa, OK
Signage Worth a Detour
Located along the historical alignment of Route 66, you’ll spot the glowing marquee of Circle Cinema. The retro charm isn’t put on. The historic cinema has been standing in the Kendall Whittier District since it showed silent films in the 1920s. Its signage is so iconic, it was even featured in the 1983 film, The Outsiders, based on the book of the same name by Oklahoma author S.E. Hinton.
10 S Lewis Ave., Tulsa, OK
Speaking of cinemas, The Brook Restaurant and Bar was first opened as a theater in 1949, hence the marquee-style of its bright signage. Today, you can stop in for a bite or one of the drink specials advertised on its glowing neon sign that overlooks Brookside.
3401 S Peoria Ave, Tulsa, OK
This list only scratches the surface of retro signage around Tulsa, on and off America’s Highway. In total, there are over 100 new and refurbished neon signs across the city. See how many you can find while cruising by these must-visit neon signs on Route 66.
