Today, the City of Claremore unveiled the first Route 66 Centennial monument in Northeast Oklahoma—and the second in the state—in celebration of the 98th anniversary of the Mother Road. This historic event launches a nationwide initiative to honor and preserve the legacy of Route 66. Timed with Veterans Day, the unveiling also pays tribute to the route’s early role as a vital military convoy path.

The monument, designed by Oklahoma artist Stan Carroll, is endorsed by the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission as an official project of the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Celebration to commemorate Route 66’s enduring legacy, tourism and community pride throughout America’s most famous highway. The Claremore monument is located at J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum, 330 N. J.M. Davis Blvd.

“As the proud first host of this remarkable tribute, Claremore is opening a new chapter in the story of Route 66,” said John Feary, Claremore City Manager. “We are grateful to BancFirst for their generous support. This landmark will not only honor the Mother Road, but also invites a new generation of travelers to experience and connect with our community.”

With the generous support of BancFirst, monuments appearing across Oklahoma will create attractions designed to inspire travelers to explore, learn and engage with the historic highway. Upcoming installation sites include Stroud, Chandler, Luther, Oklahoma City, El Reno and Weatherford.

“We began working on this project more than a year ago, so we’re extremely excited to announce its birth today in Claremore, fittingly on the birthday of Route 66,” said Brian Brown, Project Director. “We have several more installations happening in the next few weeks across the state, and look forward to future installations across the United States from Illinois to California.”

Each monument is fitted with a unique QR code that links visitors to historical insights and tourism information for that specific location, creating an interactive experience for Route 66 enthusiasts and local visitors alike.

Endorsed by the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission, the Route 66 Centennial Monument Project is a collaborative endeavor between VOX Industries and Oklahoma City artist Stan Carroll, co-designer of the renowned Skydance Bridge in Oklahoma City. Each monument stands 16 feet tall, is double-sided, crafted from routed steel, and illuminated with LED lighting to ensure visibility day and night.

For more information about the Route 66 Centennial Monument Project, visit https://oklahomaroute66monuments.com.