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Route 66 - America's Main Street


category : Landmarks
Route 66 - America's Main Street It is known as the Main Street of America - The Mother Road - The Free Road - even the Will Rogers Highway. And it evokes images of roadside diner's, mom-and-pop truck stops, old-fashioned service stations, motor courts, neon signs, and classic American automobiles.

It is the famous Route 66, officially dedicated on November 11, 1926, 2,440 miles long joining Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California. This revolutionary new road spanned eight states and three time zones, crossing rural countrysides, small towns, and major metropolitan hubs.

Oklahoma, the state where East meets West, stood at the heart of Route 66. For down-and-out sharecroppers, it was the road of opportunity. For travelers, it was a highway that bid America to "Get Your Kicks." From Quapaw to Texola and more than 400 miles between, the spirit of Route 66 came alive.

Through the past seven decades Route 66 has remained a reflection of America's ever-changing culture. it spawned a new breed of roadside diners, encouraged innovations in lodging and tourist attractions, and suymbolized the American ideals of high adventure and free-wheeling mobility. And it has left us a timeless reminder of our nation's heritage.

  • In Sayre, the original route of Route 66 jogs off the renamed I-40 just north of town at the Bus. 40 junction by the Vo Tech and continues south through Sayre as 4th Street, then turns west just south of town as it becomes I-40 once again until it jogs again before approaching Erick.

  • Come visit us in Sayre, Oklahoma

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Route 66 - America's Main Street

It is known as the Main Street of America - The Mother Road - The Free Road - even the Will Rogers Highway. And it evokes images of roadside diner's, mom-and-pop truck stops, old-fashioned service stations, motor courts, neon signs, and classic American automobiles.

Sayre, OK Landmarks

Beckham County Courthouse

The impressive Beckham County Courthouse was built in 1911. If you have watched the movie, "The Grapes of Wrath," it may look familiar to you. It appeared in the brief 30-second montage of shots depicting the beginning of the Joad family's westward journey along Oklahoma Route 66

Sayre, OK Historic Courthouses

Shortgrass Country Museum and Historical Society

The Shortgrass Country Museum is one of the important historical landmarks of Sayre. In 1930 the Rock Island Depot was moved from its original site to the center of downtown.

Sayre, OK Museums

Downtown Mural

The mural reflects downtown Sayre facing east towards the courthouse. - Artist, B. Cochron, '84

Sayre, OK Arts

Post Office Mural

Displayed on the lobby wall of the art deco post office is a WPA commissioned mural capturing a moment of the infamous Oklahoma Land Run. - Artist, Vance Kirkland, 1940

Sayre, OK Arts

Things to do Landmarks near Sayre, OK

California Road Trail

Red Rock Canyon became a landmark on the California Road, the pioneer trail that led westward from Ft. Smith, Arkansas to San...