Murals, Signs and Artwork on Route 66
 Amelia Earhart mural in Cuba, Missouri |
Murals painted on the walls of buildings and houses along Route 66 have become a tradition, and a draw for fans of the Mother Road.
These paintings reflect the local history of cities and towns along the route, and provide an artistic outlet for local artisans to showcase their public artwork. The surface on which they are painted provides additional texture and dimension, whether it be on stone, concrete, brick, tile or wood.
The murals are a popular art form that depicts local scenes, history, people, heroes, events, nostalgia and "getting your kicks on Route 66".
All eight states along Route 66 have murals, and classic signs ... shown on this page are a few highlights.
Illinois
Pontiac, IllinoisA popular stop in Illinois along Historic Route 66 is Pontiac, known for the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum, and many murals! Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum More about Pontiac attractions at VisitPontiac.org Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum |
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Bob Waldmire Memorial Mural ... Get Your Kicks on Route 66Robert "Bob" Waldmire was an American artist and cartographer who is well known for his artwork of U.S. Route 66. This mural in Pontiac, Illinois features a map of the entire length of Route 66. It is 66 feet in length and was designed by Bob from his sickbed just a short time before he passed away in 2009. It was painted in Bob's memory by members of the Waldmire family and about 500 of Bob's friends from along the entire Mother Road. When one stands close to the mural, they will notice hundreds of hand prints. Each person who worked on Bob's mural, and who felt they had been touched by Bob's art, left a hand print. The mural was completed in May of 2011. His official website, BobWaldmire.com, remains in operation and is currently being maintained by his brother Buz Waldmire.
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Atlanta, IllinoisMidway on Illinois' Mother Road mural |
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Virden, IllinoisThe beautiful new "Virden History Mural" has been completed downtown, documenting much of the history of the city since its establishment in 1852. It is located on the wall of the Sav Mor Pharmacy located on Historic Route 66 (Rt4). More information about the design at VirdenMural.com |
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Missouri
Sullivan, Missouri ... On Historic U.S. Route 66Sullivan Missouri Travel Guide and list of things to do at TripAdvisor |
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Mural City
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Today, twelve officially commissioned murals have been painted around the town, the result of the Viva Cuba organization. Other murals can also be seen around town. The Cuba Chamber of Commerce offers a well done walking tour brochure.
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People's Bank Mural |
The Frisco Mural |
Danny's Gas Hole Mural at the Fanning 66 Outpost in Missouri |
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Route 66 Mural Park - Joplin, MissouriShown here is the mural in downtown Joplin, Missouri at Pearl Brothers Hardware Store. This is only one of many murals painted throughout the downtown area. The Route 66 Mural Park in Joplin features two nostalgic murals and an oversized 45-record imprint of "Get Your Kicks on Route 66". The upper mural is called "Cruisin’ into Joplin", and showing a vintage Buick arriving in Joplin on Route 66 from the west. The lower mural is called "The American Ribbon", tracing the route of the Mother Road from Chicago to Los Angeles. Jutting out in three dimensions from the mural is a mock 1964 red Chevrolet Corvette. This is a favorite stop for Rouge 66 travelers in Missouri for photo-ops! The mural is located at 619 S. Main Street in Joplin. Read about other attractions and things to do at the Visit Joplin Website |
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"Butterfly Effect: Dreams Take Flight" Mural in JoplinShortly after an EF5 tornado demolished many structures in Joplin in 2011, a sign of hope appeared on one building that had withstood the storm. More than 300 community volunteers came together to help award-winning muralist Dave Lowenstein paint an image of beauty amid the brokenness, a message of optimism for the city’s future. A quote from Joplin native Langston Hughes is included in the mural: “In time of silver rain the butterflies lift silken wings to catch a rainbow sky and trees put forth new leaves to sing in joy beneath the sky.” The mural is located at the northwest corner of 15th and Main Streets. Read about the many other Joplin murals at the Visit Joplin Website. |
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Kansas
The well known mural ... Greetings from Galena, Kansas, on Historic Route 66
Located at the corner of Main Street and West 7th Street (Route 66)
"Route 66. Just the name is magic. Route 66. It will always mean going somewhere" ... Michael Wallis
Oklahoma
Catoosa: The D.W. Correll MuralThe main building of this museum in Catoosa has a beautiful, painted mural on the outside (see photo below) done by the award-winning artist Lance Hunter that honors the late D.W. Correll, the museum's benefactor and a beloved Catoosa resident. The brightly colored, attention-getting mural, is 8 feet tall and 72 feet wide. read more about the Correll Museum in Catoosa
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"You Said We Couldn't Do It" Mural in TulsaThis mural commemorates a bridge built over the Arkansas River in Tulsa in 1904. The bridge wasn’t for rail traffic, so investors considered it a risky project. The government wouldn’t pay for it either. Instead, three citizens formed a toll company and paid for the bridge, a huge undertaking both financially and logistically due to the shifting river bed. On the completed bridge they hung a sign, “You Said We Couldn’t Do It, But We Did.” Located in the Meadow Gold District - 1306 E. 11th Street at S. Peoria Avenue
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Sapulpa, Oklahoma |
Davenport, OklahomaOne of the many classic murals in Davenport, Oklahoma, on Historic Route 66 |
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The Britton District in Oklahoma CityBritton is a former town in Oklahoma County, annexed by Oklahoma City in 1950. Once part of the historic Route 66 bypass, the Britton District is now Oklahoma City’s newest developing district. It still maintains its small-town Main Street vibe with rows of early 20th-century storefronts. Britton Road connects Highway 235 with Lake Hefner Parkway and passes through old Britton, Cassidy Square, and The Village. |
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Milk Bottle GroceryThe Milk Bottle Grocery is located on a small triangular piece of property at 2426 N. Classen Avenue in Oklahoma City along Historic Route 66. The grocery was built in 1930, and the giant milk bottle was added in 1948. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it is adorned with a milk bottle from Braum's, the well-known Oklahoma-based dairy in Tuttle. On one side of the grocery is the "Oklahoma City ... Where the Thunder Rolls" mural. |
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Yukon, Oklahoma ... The Route 66 Murals, and MoreYukon is full of rich history, Route 66 roots, music heritage, family-friendly attractions, and beautiful art. Explore a while, and see why folks flock from all over to pay the city a visit! |
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El Reno, OklahomaMural in El Reno, Oklahoma ... the Crossroads of America |
WeatherfordThe windmill blade mural in Weatherford |
Erick, OklahomaLocated between Exits 9 and 10 on I-40, the Erick Tourism Information Center offers brochures and travel resources on statewide attractions, events, lodging and more. Enjoy clean restrooms, a vending area, advice from trained travel counselors, a gift shop and hundreds of free brochures and visitor guides. |
Roger Miller mural in Erick, Oklahoma |
Texas
Shamrock, TexasMural in Shamrock, Texas: Crossroads of America ... Home of the Midnight Cowboy Bill Mack
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Jack Sisemore RV Museum in AmarilloThe Jack Sisemore RV Museum is located at 4341 Canyon Drive in Amarillo. The Sisemores began restoring and collecting unusual vintage RVs over 25 years ago.
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Milburn-Price Culture Museum in Vega, TexasThe former Western Lumber Company building is home to the Milburn-Price & Culture Museum, at 1005 Coke Street in Vega. The Museum is a non-profit organization that seeks to educate the public about the history and culture of the Oldham county area. Shown below is the sign and exterior of the Museum, one of the exhibit area and lovely mural on the side of the building. |
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Tucumcari, New Mexico
The "Get Your Kicks on Route 66" mural in Tucumcari, New Mexico
The Route 66 "Texaco" mural in Tucumcari, New Mexico
The "Red Corvette and the Ladies" mural in Tucumcari, New Mexico |
Arizona
Winslow
Standin' on the Corner in Winslow, Arizona
10,000 nice people welcome you to Winslow ... Snake Dance Country
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Route 66 Murals in Flagstaff, Arizona |
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Flagstaff Arizona ... on Historic U.S. Route 66 ... mural at the LumberYard Brewing Co. at 5 S. San Francisco St. |
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Route 66: Will Roger's Highway |
Route 66" America's Highway |
Williams, Arizona
Shown below is the Route 66 mural in Williams ... Last town by-passed by I-40 on October 13, 1984.
Seligman
Kingman |
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Harley-Davidson mural in Kingman |
The mural at Mr. D'z Route 66 Diner |
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Get Your Kicks on Route 66 MuralThis "Get Your Kicks on Route 66" mural is located at 509 East Beale Street in Kingman. |
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Route 66 Mural at the Ramada by Wyndham Hotel in KingmanThe hotel is located at 3100 East Andy Devine Avenue in Kingman. |
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World's Longest Route 66 MapThe World's Longest Route 66 map is located at the El Trovatore Motel in Kingman. It stretches 206 feet along the sides of the motel. |
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California
Needles, California
Route 66 Mural on the side of the Needles Regional Museum
Victorville
Mural at the California Route 66 Museum
The Original McDonald's in San BernardinoNot far from Route 66 in San Bernardino is the site of the original restaurant of fast-food giant McDonald's. A local fast-food franchise company now owns this site and has turned it into a museum, at 1398 North E Street. The museum features an array of memorabilia, menus, toys and other McDonald's artifacts. Also, there is a mural of Richard and Maurice McDonald (below). The address is 1398 North E Street at West 14th Street in San Bernardino. Admission is free.
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Mels Drive-In ... Santa MonicaSeveral Mels restaurants are located in the Los Angeles area. This mural is located at Mels on 1670 Lincoln Boulevard in Santa Monica, near the official ending point of Route 66. Mels Drive-In website |
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