Claremore Unveils Route 66 Centennial Monument, First In Northeast Oklahoma

It’s the first of its kind in Northeast Oklahoma and only the second in the entire state.

“Today, we’re extremely proud, we’re going to unveil a Route 66 monument sign,” said John Feary, the Claremore city manager.

Claremore is now home to a brand-new landmark. Feary says it's a fitting place for the sign.

“Oklahoma has the most amount of miles of Route 66 than any other state, and Rogers County has more miles of Route 66 in it than any other county in Oklahoma,” he said. 

The 16-foot monument, designed by Oklahoma artist Stan Carroll, is the beginning of a nationwide celebration dedicated to honoring the legacy of Route 66.

"This project has an Oklahoma stamp on it,” said Brian Brown. 

Brown is the project director for the Route 66 Centennial Monument project. He says a similar sign was just put up in Weatherford, Oklahoma, and there will be 7 others in the state. He's starting a campaign to build them nationwide.

“It’s great that we have the Blue Whale, and all of these unique things, but it's also cool to have this sort of continuous placemaking monument that will go across the whole route,” he said.

“Everything about this screams Oklahoma, screams Route 66, and these signs are going to be across the country on Route 66,” said Feary. 

Feary says the new addition will draw people in and the outside dollars will help the city.

"We hope to see everybody here in Claremore the next couple of years,” he said. 

A tribute to the past but also a celebration of what Route 66 continues to bring.