Oklahoma City installs Route 66 shields ahead of centennial
Travelers walking through Oklahoma City’s historic corridors will notice a fresh visual marker. As the city prepares for the November 11 centennial of Route 66, officials have debuted custom Route 66 shields at four specific locations, anchoring districts along former alignments of Route 66. The project aims to encourage travelers to move beyond the highway and engage with the local economies of the districts they pass through. The new shields are positioned in the following areas:
- Asian District: West side of Classen Blvd., near N.W. 24th St.
- Britton District: SE corner of Britton and Western Ave.
- 9th Street District: 39th St. between Youngs and Flynn.
- Western Ave.: NW corner of N. Western Ave. and the I-44 Service Rd.
Each district worked with Hampton Creative to ensure the designs reflected their specific character while maintaining a cohesive look across the corridor.
“Oklahoma City’s unifiers are four stops on a statewide selfie trail of 48 unifiers, each one an invitation for travelers to pull over, snap a photo, and discover a new Oklahoma town,” said Kerry Barrick, State Director of Route 66. “By blending a unifying visual theme with locally inspired designs, the project celebrates both the collective identity of Oklahoma’s Route 66 corridor and the individuality of each town along its path.”
Cayla Lewis, Senior Planner with the City of Oklahoma City, emphasized that the goal is to drive engagement.
“These shields celebrate the distinct character of our districts and the local businesses and community members who bring Route 66 to life,” Lewis said. “We hope they inspire visitors and locals to explore beyond the photo stop – visit a shop, enjoy a meal and experience what makes each district special.”
The timing of the installation is deliberate. With the 100th anniversary of Route 66 falling on November 11, the city is positioning these districts to be part of a larger, state-wide celebration.
