Welcome to Oklahoma!

A cool historical mural in Quapaw OK.

Definitely on track through Commerce OK.

Pretty north Oklahoma countryside approaching Miami OK.

An amazing stretch of original 1922 9' Route 66 pavement crumbling away with the years south of Miami OK.

Abandoned Shop with its neon reading 'Wardrobe', Miami OK.

The Coleman Theatre, Miami OK; a 1929 Spanish Mission beauty!

Main Street, Miami OK.

The entrance to the famous Buffalo Ranch, Afton OK.

Restored DX Gas Station 'Afton Station', Afton OK.

Restored DX Gas Station 'Afton Station' DX gas pump, Afton OK.

Guests are not welcome anymore at the abandoned Raimer Hotel, still with its neon sign, Afton OK.

The abandoned Rest Haven Motel Neon Sign, Afton OK. Full house here too.

Dead Mans Corner and LONG abandoned gas station ruin, north of Vinita OK.

While I didn't come to Vinita OK to see the world's Largest McDonalds (spanning I-44), it certainly was worth photographing!

View of I-44 from world's largest McDonalds, Vinita OK.

Center Cinema, Vinita OK.

The historic 'Empire Block' building, Vinita OK.

Interesting 1884 building & old faded signage, Vinita OK.

The abandoned Country Court Motel's neon sign is a landmark at White Oak OK.

The decayed buildings of the abandoned Country Court Motel, White Oak OK.

1932 Pony Truss Bridgeon on the way into Chelsea OK, right next to the ......

1926 Iron Bridge on the other road into Chelsea OK.

This 1913 Sears & Roebuck Pre-Cut house in Chelsea OK is an unusual attraction.

This old neon sign still shows the location of the abandoned Chelsea Motel, Chelsea OK.

The abandoned Chelsea Motel, Chelsea OK.

An abandoned house slowly falling in, Chelsea OK.

Don't rely on getting your car fixed at this abandoned garage in Chelsea OK.

Your clothes will get dusty in this abandoned Laundromat, Chelsea OK.

An abandoned Chelsea OK historic building, one of dozens crumbling away downtown.

City Hall, Chelsea OK. The Sheriff must have seen us photographing because he immediately pursued us in his police car and demanded to know why we were taking photos of City Hall. I thought he must be joking but he wasn't. BTW, why is there a shipping container outside City Hall? Extra office space? They're getting into import/export?!

More closed businesses in Main Street, Chelsea OK.

An interesting mural in Chelsea OK. Perhaps the declining oil industry was what led to the sad decline here.

City Hall, Foyil OK. 'Nuff said.

The abandoned Country Cafe, Foyil OK, right next door to the ......

...... excellent Top Hat Diner, Foyil OK.

Foyil OK was the birthplace of the runner Andy Payne.

The Totem Pole Park with its 90' Totem Poleis a tourist attraction in Foyil OK.

The former Will Rogers Hotel (now Will Rogers Center) still graces Claremore OK.

Back street alley, Claremore OK.

The former El Sueno Courts (now Adobe Village Apartments), once of Route 66 fame, Claremore OK.

Typical town street near downtown, Claremore OK.

Will Rogers Memorial and Museum Building, Claremore OK. We were made extremely welcome here.

Visiting Will Rogers, Claremore OK.

A rail bridge, part of the McClellan-Kerr Navigation System near Verdigris OK.

McClellan-Kerr Navigation System twin road bridges, Verdigris OK.

The famouse Blue Whale, Catoosa OK. This is probably my favourite Route 66 icon. What a charming story there is behind its building.

(Blue) whale taming, Catoosa OK!

The former Arrowood Trading Post is another Route 66 icon at Catoosa OK.

Tulsa OK city skyline.

First Christian Church, Tulsa OK, right near ......

...... First Church of Christ Scientist, next to ......

...... the VERY impressive First Methodist Church, Tulsa OK.

"The Golden Driller", a giant oil worker at Tulsa Fairgrounds, Tulsa OK.

Road food has its compemsations! Tallys Cafe Chicken Fried Steak Dinner, MMMmmmm, Tulsa OK.

Inside Tallys Cafe, Tulsa OK. Very retro!

The neon clock says it all, Tallys Cafe, Tulsa OK.

We saw some great neons in Tulsa, here are a few.... Tallys Cafe Neon Sign......

The VERY old neon sign for Midway Timber and their Kitchenettes is now barely legible.

Abandoned Rancho Grande Mexican Restaurant neon sign, Tulsa OK.

Desert Hills Motel neon sign, Tulsa OK. What a beauty!

The much photographed Meadow Gold neon sign, Tulsa OK. legible.

The Oasis Motel neon sign could use some maintenance, Tulsa OK.

Giant Coke Bottle on the way into Sapulpa OK.

A bizarre sight in Sapulpa OK is this old Diner incorporating boats into its structure.

Old signs gradually being repainted in Sapulpa OK.

Update Feb 2012: The Granny's website isn't working any more - hope they're still operating.... Make sure you drop into Granny's on Route 66 in Sapulpa OK. Constructed in 1927 and recently renovated, it's just opposite City Hall on old Route 66. It's owners are Jim Meyer and his wife who made us very welcome and served up some GREAT pie - the rest of the menu looked equally delicious. Their web site is also worth a visit. Please say hello if you're passing through Sapulpa. Gidday from Australia, Jim!

Granny's on Route 66 features some interesting wall art, Sapulpa OK.

City Hall, Sapulpa OK.

The Happy Burger Diner is another Route 66 icon, Sapulpa OK.

Main street, Sapulpa OK.

A former Cotton Gin then Diner now Antiques store, Kellyville OK. That's versatility!

Former Cotton Gin then Diner now Antiques store former Route 66 Diner building, Kellyville OK.

No Through Road - the place where scenic and interesting loops of old original Route 66 begin near I-44, winding from Kellyville through Bellvue and on toward Bristow, OK. The most unkind cut of all!

A number of old oil pumps of this iconic "nodder" variety are passed along the way, along with their associated......

tanks and other gear.

An interesting original concrete section of the old Route 66 loop, Bellvue OK.

Old Route 66 "tank farm" loop scenic section near Bellvue OK.

Main Street, Depew OK. The EZ 66 Guide recommends driving an old 1926-28 loop through downtown here, calling it a time capsule. It's a fascinating place but, alas, crumbling away fast.

Main Street businesses, Depew OK.

Spanglers is still operating in downtown Depew OK, but what a surprise next door....

The outside of a quaint old store next to Spanglers in Depew OK, cleverly painted to disguise the desolation within....

.... wouldn't you love to know the history behind this old building, this street, this town, Depew OK?

More murals on an abandoned building, Depew OK.

Abandoned restaurant, Depew OK.

Another abandoned ruined building crumbling away in Depew OK. It looks like it's been like this since Old Route 66 was diverted in the 1920s.

An interesting old stone building in Depew OK.

Our final glimpse of Depew OK - more fascinating abandoned ruined building art.

The approach to Stroud OK and the surrounding area are dotted with stretches of abandoned Route 66 pavement.

Main Street, Stroud OK.

Old building partly boarded up with an old faded sign, Stroud OK.

A Cool park & eagle statue, Stroud OK.

An old Coke advertisement brought back to life, Stroud OK.

Interesting historical rail mural, Stroud OK,

The Rock Cafe has long been a Route 66 icon in Stroud OK but was under renovation when we passed through.

What a beauty - the Skyliner Motel neon sign, Stroud OK.

Gar Woolys Food-N-Fun, Davenport OK.

Restored 1933 Texas Co Gas Station, Davenport OK.

Former Gas Station with 'Mother Road' mural, Davenport OK.

Abandoned old buildings and businesses, Chandler OK.

Abandoned 1939 Lincoln Motel neon sign, Chandler OK.

Restored 1930 Phillips 66 Gas Station, Chandler OK.

The Route 66 Interpretive Centre is in a restored 1937 Armoury building in Chandler OK.

Main Street, Wellston OK.

Neat little 1933 bridge over Captain Creek, west of Wellston OK.

A section of old Route 66 is now on privately owned land - the owner is selling ownership over small parcels of the old concrete road, Luther OK.

The private Route 66 pavement is in pretty good condition still, Luther OK.

Private Route 66 end of the line, Luther OK, cut by a newer state road.

The long, LONG abandoned Little Brothers Station, Luther OK.

The famous 1898 Round Barn is a Route 66 landmark in Arcadia OK.

The Round Barn upstairs floor is rented out for functions, Arcadia OK (but only if you don't jump up and down too much!).

Art Deco skyscraper decorating the skyline, Oklahoma City OK.

First United Methodist Church, Oklahoma City OK.

Federal Oklahoma County Court Building, Oklahoma City OK.

Main Library, Oklahoma City OK.

Municipal Building, Oklahoma City OK.

National Cowboy Museum, Oklahoma City OK.

National Cowboy Museum Buffalo Bill Statue, Oklahoma City OK.

OKC University Spire, Oklahoma City OK.

OKC University ornate tower, Oklahoma City OK.

Crazy Parking Station system had everyone bamboozled, Oklahoma City OK.

Post Office, Oklahoma City OK.

Southern Christian University giant globe, Oklahoma City OK.

Our first sight of Bricktown was the water tower, Oklahoma City OK.

Bricktown entrance, Oklahoma City OK.

Old coverted warehouse, Bricktown, Oklahoma City OK

Bricktown street scene, Oklahoma City OK.

Anns Chicken Fry House is an OKC and Route 66 icon, Oklahoma City OK.

Anns Chicken Fry House restaurant interior - very retro indeed, Oklahoma City OK.

Anns Chicken Fry House street art, Oklahoma City OK. Wow, we're really here, alright.

Capitol, Oklahoma City OK.

Closed 1924 Lake Overholser Bridge, Oklahoma City OK.

The sad memorial at the Federal Building bomb site, Oklahoma City OK.

Federal Building bomb site pond, Oklahoma City OK.

St Josephs Old Catholic Cathedral, Oklahoma City OK.

Western Motel neon sign, Oklahoma City OK.

Will Rogers Theatre, Oklahoma City OK.

Maes Home Cooking neon sign, Yukon OK.

Abandoned Deer Diner, Yukon OK.

Beef industry mural, Yukon OK. town.

Old closed Standard Station, Yukon OK.

Yukons Best Flour Grain Elevator, Yukon OK.

Old 'Watch Your Curves' beef sign near Yukon OK.

Old WW2 Bomber as street art, El Reno OK.

Huge Grain elevator & abandoned video business, El Reno OK.

Abandoned Los Campanarios Restaurant, El Reno OK.

Interesting and ornate worked iron cemetary sign, El Reno OK.

Prison Chapel, built by German Prisoners of War, Fort Reno OK.

Fort Reno OK Visitor Centre in the old Officers Quarters.

Welcome to Calumet OK!

Main Street, Calumet OK.

Still tracking on old concrete Route 66, Calumet OK.

Old shop & mural, Calumet OK.

Closed Moberleys Grocery, Calumet OK.

Picturesque concrete Route 66 out of Calumet OK - "the road goes ever on".

This mural is one of the few things I could find to photograph in poor Geary that isn't closed or abandoned. Route 66 came through here before 1933.

I'm not sure of the history around this Rock Island Rail Car in Geary OK. If any reader knows then I'd love to hear about it.

Abandoned business, Main Street Geary OK.

Abandoned Desmonds Supper Club Restaurant, Geary OK.

Abandoned Rusty Bucket Cafe, Geary OK.

Closed Roadhouse, Geary OK.

A lonely stretch of old Route 66 near Geary OK.

Lucille's is a Route 66 icon near Hydro OK, now replaced by a new Lucille's slightly further west.

Old Phillips 66 pumps at the original Lucille's near Hydro OK.

The original Lucille's east of Hydro OK once boasted this old motel - however it doesn't appear to have accepted guests for QUITE some time.

This long abandoned Texaco Station is a forlorn sight in Hydro OK.

The abandoned Route 66 Soda Fountain in Hydro OK was once a Route 66 icon but we had to slake our thirst elsewhere.

Interesting old building in Hydro OK. Thanks to Regina who advised that "The building you mention in Hydro, OK was hard to find info on, but judging by the look of it, I'd say it was a bank with offices upstairs. most banks built in the Midwest in that era had entrances like that one does. but you were closer to it than me, so I could be wrong. just an educated guess".

The new Lucille's Roadhouse in Weatherford OK has retained much of the vintage "look and feel" of the original one, just a few miles east on the other side of Hydro.

The abandoned Route 66 Drive In's Ticket Booth near Weatherford OK - gradually being reclaimed by nature.

Abandoned Route 66 Drive In Cafeteria and one of the two screen, Weatherford OK.

An old Starfighter (I think) graces the entrance to the Air & Space Museum at Weatherford OK.

Interesting farm entry near Clinton OK.

Route 66 still kicks - now as a frontage road to I-40 near Clinton OK.

The Route 66 Museum is a major tourist attraction in Clinton OK.

The Giant Indian, Clinton OK.

Clinton OK is well guarded by this self propelled artillery!

The Dairy Best Drive In promises "broasted" chicken (whatever that is!) in Clinton OK.

The abandoned Kobels Place, Foss OK.

City Hall, Canute OK.

Former Cotton Boll Motel, Canute OK.

Former Uniroyal Tyres, Canute OK.

Former Washita Motel, Canute OK.

Just west of Canute OK we found this little dead-end bit of old concrete Route 66 - a classic example of how it was chopped into pieces by the interstate highways, I-40 in this case. Beware monsters if you drive straight ahead!

Main Street, Elk City OK.

National Route 66 Museum - very impressive and extensive, Elk City OK.

National Route 66 Museum Corvette - yes please, Elk City OK.

Old T-33 Jet at the airport, Elk City OK.

Sugar Shack - sounds delicious, Elk City OK.

Former Westland Theatre, Elk City OK.

Drilling Rig as a module, Elk City OK.

The former Herring & Young Building (1904), Elk City OK.

Large closed building, Main Street Elk City OK.

Beckham County Courthouse, Sayre OK.

City Hall (Former First National Bank (1905), Sayre OK.

Main Street, Sayre OK.

Interesting old water wheel in a city park, Sayre OK.

Route 66 Bar & mural, Sayre OK.

Bloody ugly ute, Sayre OK.

Western Motel neon sign - what a beauty, Sayre OK.

Abandoned Stovall Theatre, Sayre OK.

Thanks to Jack, Regina and others who have pointed out that the symbols on the old theatre's sign are cattle brands. Jack also tells of watching movies for 10 cents here and of a live appearance by actor Tim Holt in the street outside in the early 1950s.

Abandoned Berts, Sayre OK - what was this place, a bar maybe?

Another abandoned interesting building, Sayre OK.

Abandoned Service Station, Sayre OK.

An abandoned, and yes, ghostly, former Route 66 alignment runs for miles in its concrete glory alongside the existing alignment near Hext OK. I was all for trying to drive a section but Jo sensibly talked me out of it! Apparently this section may become a bike trail.

These street banners pronounce Erick's fame as birthplace of some great 50s and 60s talent, main street Erick OK.

Roger Miller Museum (1929 Building), Erick OK, a fellow King of the (Mother) Road!

Former Elm Motel, Erick OK.

Former Brandin Iron, Erick OK.

Abandoned 'The Dixie' Snow Cones, Erick OK.

Abandoned First National Bank (1907), Erick OK.

Abandoned Cabana Motel, Erick OK.

Former City Meat Market, "redneck capitol of the world", Erick OK.

Main Street, Texola OK. I'm guessing this place was MUCH busier at some time!

Historic Territorial Jail, Texola OK.

Abandoned Water Hole #2, Texola OK.

An abandoned house slowly rotting away, Texola OK.

Long abandoned Gas Station, Texola OK.

An abandoned business with a sign reading "No Place Like Texola", Texola OK.

Another abandoned, boarded-up house, Texola OK. A sad farewell to Oklahoma.