Route 66 Road Trip to Sapulpa, Oklahoma
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U.S. Route 66 was one of the United State's first continuous stretches of paved highway, and served as a major path for those who migrated west.
"The Mother Road" was established on November 11, 1926, and ultimately stretched 2,448 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles.
In Oklahoma, Route 66 covered 432 miles. After traveling through Illinois, Missouri and Kansas, the Mother Road entered Oklahoma near Commerce, and headed southwest through Miami, Chelsea, Claremore, Catoosa, Tulsa and into Sapulpa. In general, it followed the route of present-day Interstate I-44. From Sapulpa, Route 66 continued west to Oklahoma City and eventually into Texas.
Sapulpa, Oklahoma
Sapulpa is the county seat for Creek County and is located in northeast Oklahoma’s Green Country, about 14 miles southwest of downtown Tulsa. The city is located on old U.S. Route 66, now SH-66 and Historic Route 66 (a/k/a the West Ozark Trail), through town. The city is home to more than 20,000 residents.
Sapulpa is a popular stop for travelers on Route 66. Sapulpa’s historic downtown district is in the heart of historic Route 66 path and was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 2003. The City features an active Main Street Program.
Besides checking out Route 66 icons and museums in the city, be sure to enjoy the natural beauty found at Pretty Water Lake, featuring trout fishing opportunities and the half-mile Pretty Trail. And don't miss the historic Rock Creek Bridge No.18 on Route 66 at the western edge of the city.
Route 66 Christmas Chute
From November to January, be sure to enjoy the Route 66 Christmas Chute. It is the brainchild of a group of business owners and city officials to bring families to downtown Sapulpa to enjoy a unique, walkable Christmas experience.
Walk historic Route 66 under 800-foot-long canopies filled with Christmas ornaments and decor in ten magical Christmas themes. With events every weekend and pop-up-shops, restaurants, and downtown retailers, the Route 66 Christmas Chute is sure to become a holiday destination!
In 2024, the popular event hosted a record number of visitors to the Christmas Chute, including visitors from more than 40 states and over a dozen countries around the world.
It opens again on November of 2026. Sapulpa’s Route 66 Christmas Chute has announced it will not reopen for the 2025 season, opting to “push pause” in light of the City’s upcoming Dewey Street redesign.
Route 66 Christmas Chute website and Christmas Chute on Facebook ... also on Instagram Local businesses prepare for third year of Sapulpa's Route 66 Christmas Chute Sapulpa’s Route 66 Christmas Chute will “take a pause” for 2025
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Map of Historic Route 66 in Oklahoma showing the location of Sapulpa |
Sapulpa: "Crossroads of America"Scene in downtown Sapulpa, Oklahoma
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Gasoline Alley ClassicsGasoline Alley Classics, a longtime manufacturer of game room, garage, and man cave automobilia décor, has launched its first retail shop in a former Model T assembly plant and dealership on Route 66 in Sapulpa. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on September 9, 2022. Gasoline Alley has quickly become a "must see" stop for Route 66 travelers in the Sapulpa area. Roadtrippers enjoy checking out the signs, Route 66 memorabilia and vintage Ford autos inside, and take advantage of the many photo ops at "The Official Home of Lady Luck"! It is located at 24 N. Main Street in Sapulpa, and also offers an extensive online store featuring apparrel, signs, stickers, oil cans and so much more. Read more ... website of Gasoline Alley Classics and Gasoline Alley Classics on Facebook ... phone 918.806.1000 |
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Sapulpa MuseumsThe Sapulpa Historical Society operates the Historical Museum, the Sapulpa Fire Museum, and the Waite Phillips-Barnsdall Filling Station Museum. Housed in the historic Lee Hotel, the Society opened the Historical Museum in the early 1980s. Today, the Museum occupies all three floors of the old hotel. The hotel rooms and dorm rooms are now home to the the Historical Museum's offices and exhibits. A small village showcases some of Sapulpa 's early businesses. Included are an early-day blacksmith shop, a sheriff's office, the John F. Egan General Merchandise Store, Rock Creek Indian Methodist Church, Euchee Mission Boarding School , and a diorama of the Frisco Railroad shops that were located here in the early 1900s. A nicely stocked gift shop is also onsite! The museum is located at 100 East Lee Avenue in Sapulpa. Visit the website or phone for opening hours and tour information for all three museums. Read more at the website of the Sapulpa Historical Society & Museum or phone 918.224.4871 |
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Historical Museum |
Fire Museum |
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Waite Phillips-Barnsdall Filling Station MuseumLocated at 26 East Lee Avenue
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The Murals of SapulpaThis mural contains a dozen symbols of Sapulpa’s rich history, from the “Guardian of the Plains” Buffalo that sits on New Sapulpa Road, to the famed Harvey House, to the Burnett Mansion, which now houses the offices for The Make Sense Foundation. It is located near the corner of Dewey Avenue (Route 66) and Main Street.
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This mural is located near 15 East Hobson Avenue on the Reed Architecture & Interiors Building.
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This mural on a City of Sapulpa Water Tank features the Oklahoma state wildflower, the Indian Blanket Flower.
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Gulf Oil Service StationThis restored Gulf Oil Service Station is owned by a Sapulpa businessman who uses it as a personal office and storage space for his eclectic collections. It is located at 106 E Hobson Avenue. |
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More Scenes Around Sapulpa |
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The Sapulpa Trolley on Historic Route 66 |
The Sapulpa Interurban Trolley |
The Time: In Sapulpa |
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Rock Creek Bridge No.18This bridge was built in 1921 to serve the Ozark Trail. It became part of U.S. Highway 66 in 1926 when the Chicago to Los Angeles route was initiated. The bridge served motorists traveling on U.S. 66 until a new highway was built to the south in 1952. It is located near the junction of U.S. 66 and W. Ozark Trail in Sapulpa, just west of the city. |
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Heart of Route 66 Auto MuseumThe Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum in Sapulpa features the world's tallest gas pump, at 66-foot-tall, a prominent Route 66 landmark. It also includes an extensive indoor collection of historic automobiles and other historical treasures. The Museum is on the grow, with an all new expansion planned for 2023. See photo below right, courtesy of Reed Architects, the designers of the new expansion. This will be a 60% expansion to boost its visibility, exhibit space, and revenue streams. The project includes 5,000 square feet under roof and a 2,400-square-foot outdoor plaza. It promises a dramatic increase in the museum’s 36-vehicle inventory and other exhibits. This expansion parallels a neighboring park development by the city of Sapulpa. The Route 66 Rock Creek Park will provide a tourist-friendly playground and rest stop connected to the museum. The Museum is located at 13 Sahoma Lake Road, Sapulpa, OK 74066. For more information, phone 918.216.1171, or visit .... The Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum website and The Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum on Facebook |
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Lodging, Dining and Attractions in the Sapulpa Area
Hotels in/near Sapulpa with traveler reviews at TripAdvisor Sapulpa restaurant reviews at TripAdvisor Attractions and Things to Do in Sapulpa |
Interactive Map of Sapulpa Oklahoma
MORE OKLAHOMA ROUTE 66
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