Route 66 Centennial Monuments

As Route 66 approaches its 100th birthday, communities across Oklahoma are marking the milestone in a big and bright way. Route 66 Centennial Monuments are being installed all along the historic highway, standing as vibrant visual tributes to a century of open-road adventure, roadside hospitality, and Americana charm.

These towering 16-foot structures are impossible to miss. Each features a glowing, double-sided Route 66 shield lit with internal LED lights, proudly displaying the two-letter abbreviation for the state and the centennial years: 1926–2026. A display box on the pole identifies the specific location—whether a city, town, or attraction—and includes a QR code linking to local stories, history, and visitor information.

The monuments are the result of a collaboration between Oklahoma-based VOX Industries and artist Stan Carroll. In 2024, they received the official endorsement of the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission. With installations continuing across the state, and the entirety of the Mother Road, these markers are becoming must-see stops for travelers retracing the route’s path.

Here’s a look at some of the key Route 66 Centennial Monuments already in place across Oklahoma and other states on the Mother Road. You can learn more about these on the Route 66 Centennial Monument Project’s website.

Route 66 Centennial Monuments

Route 66 Centennial Monuments in Illinois

Countryside, Illinois

The Route 66 Centennial Monument in Countryside marks a key transition point on the Mother Road, just east of the intersection of Joliet Road and La Grange Road. This spot once signaled the moment when travelers left Chicago behind and officially headed west, moving from city traffic into open road. The monument recognizes Countryside’s unusual history as a town that developed because of Route 66 rather than before it, earning its place along the highway after the road was already established.

Route 66 Centennial Monuments in Oklahoma

Bethany and Warr Acres, Oklahoma

Sitting in the median of NW 39th Expressway, the Bethany–Warr Acres Route 66 Centennial Monument marks the border between two Oklahoma City suburbs and highlights a stretch of the Mother Road that’s still busy today. The sign is a nod to the area’s long connection to Route 66, pointing travelers toward two communities shaped by education, local businesses, and everyday life along this historic corridor.

Lake Overholser Bridge in Bethany, Oklahoma

The Route 66 Centennial Monument at Lake Overholser marks one of the Mother Road’s most memorable crossings. Set at the western edge of Oklahoma City and Bethany, it stands beside the 1924 steel-truss bridge that carried early road-trippers, Dust Bowl migrants, and countless modern travelers over the North Canadian River.

Route 66 Interpretive Center in Chandler, Oklahoma

Housed in a beautifully restored 1930s National Guard Armory built from local sandstone, the Route 66 Interpretive Center in Chandler offers an immersive look into the Mother Road’s legacy through multimedia displays. Once threatened with demolition, the building now stands as a testament to local determination and is the perfect spot to learn about Chandler’s role on Route 66.

J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma

In Claremore, the Centennial Monument sits in front of the J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum, home to the world’s largest privately owned firearm collection. Dedicated on Veterans Day 2024, the monument pays tribute not just to the town’s historical roots, but also to Route 66’s role in transporting veterans and military supplies in the post-war years.

Davenport Welcome Center in Davenport, Oklahoma

Set in a town built on early settlement, rail history, and one of Oklahoma’s best surviving brick stretches of Route 66, this monument highlights Davenport’s place in the highway’s early development. The monument, located at the Davenport Welcome Center gives travelers a simple point of orientation before they explore the town’s vintage murals, original brick pavement, and long-running traditions.

Petree Plaza in El Reno, Oklahoma

El Reno’s Centennial Monument marks a major crossroads. Located in Petree Plaza, next to the El Reno Mother Road Monument and the Hungry For History Onion Burgers Historical Marker, it stands at the intersection of Route 66 and U.S. Route 81, both of which were commissioned in 1926. This corner of downtown El Reno has long been known as the “Crossroads of America,” and the monument highlights the town’s significance in transportation history. Visitors can explore nearby railroad heritage sites, enjoy one of the city’s famous fried onion burgers at Sid’s Diner, and reflect on the trails that have passed through for generations.

Lucille’s Historic Highway Gas Station in Hydro, Oklahoma

Few names on Route 66 carry as much heart as Lucille Hamons, the “Mother of the Mother Road.” In Hydro, a Route 66 Centennial Monument stands next to her historic service station, where she once welcomed travelers for over six decades with gas, sandwiches, and a smile. The restored Craftsman-style station, with vintage pumps and period details, is a living tribute to Lucille’s legacy.

Threatt Filling Station in Luther, Oklahoma

The Route 66 Centennial Monument at the Threatt Filling Station highlights one of the most significant stops on the Mother Road. Set beside the historic sandstone station east of Luther, the monument marks the site of the first African American–owned filling station on Route 66: an essential refuge for Black travelers during the Jim Crow era. It provides a simple point of orientation for visitors learning about the Threatt family’s long stewardship of the property and the station’s role as a safe stop on the old Ozark Trail. As restoration continues, the monument helps recognize the site as both a historic landmark and an important story in Oklahoma’s Route 66 history.

Uptown OKC in Oklahoma City

Located in Oklahoma City’s vibrant Uptown 23rd District, this Route 66 Centennial Monument stands at the corner of NW 23rd and Hudson, right along the original 1926 alignment of the Mother Road. Installed in 2024, it was the sixth monument added nationwide and the first placed in an urban district. The monument celebrates Route 66’s 100-year legacy while highlighting Uptown’s mix of history, culture, and modern flair. From the restored Tower Theatre to the quirky Milk Bottle Building and Gold Dome, Uptown 23rd is a must-stop for Route 66 travelers looking to explore Oklahoma City’s past and present.

Ed Smalley Centennial Park & Rock Cafe in Stroud, Oklahoma

In Stroud, the Centennial Monument is located in Ed Smalley Centennial Park, just a short stroll from the iconic Rock Cafe. Built from native sandstone in 1939, the café is a Route 66 classic that famously inspired the character Sally in Pixar’s Cars. The monument here not only honors the highway’s centennial, but also reflects Stroud’s commitment to revitalization and Route 66 hospitality.

Lucille’s Hotel in Weatherford, Oklahoma

Just down the road from Lucille’s original station in Hydro, the city of Weatherford has its own tribute to her spirit at the newly built Lucille’s Hotel. The Route 66 Centennial Monument stands tall at the entrance, linking past and present in a city that continues to embrace its roadside roots. Paired with nearby Lucille’s Roadhouse, this modern monument is a fitting homage to the woman whose name has become synonymous with Route 66 hospitality.

Space City in Weatherford, Oklahoma

The Route 66 Centennial Monument at Weatherford’s Spaceman highlights the city’s role as both a Mother Road stop and Oklahoma’s “Space City.” Positioned beside the 30-foot astronaut in McPhetridge Centennial Park, the monument marks where the original Route 66 once crossed Broadway and Main and recognizes Weatherford’s long connection to exploration: on the ground and in the stars.

Route 66 Centennial Monuments in New Mexico

Gallup Cultural Center in Gallup, New Mexico

The Route 66 Centennial Monument in Gallup–McKinley County is located at the Gallup Cultural Center along the original Route 66 corridor. Its placement here highlights the city’s long ties to Native American communities, local trading culture, and the railroad history that helped shape travel through this region. Visitors can use the monument as a starting point to explore the Cultural Center’s exhibits, including displays on Navajo Code Talkers and a Route 66 centennial film.

Route 66 Centennial Monuments in California

Azusa, California

Azusa’s Route 66 Centennial Monument is located along Foothill Boulevard near Alameda Avenue, across from the city’s historic 1928 City Hall. Unveiled in January 2026, the monument marks Azusa’s long connection to the Mother Road as it passed through the San Gabriel Valley on its way into Los Angeles. Paired with a large Route 66 mural depicting local landmarks, the monument highlights Azusa’s role as a gateway city, where urban Southern California meets the mountain canyons to the north.

As Oklahoma and other Route 66 states prepare for the centennial celebration in 2026, these Centennial Monuments serve as both commemorations and invitations. They remind us of the stories, towns, and people that make the Mother Road an enduring symbol of freedom, connection, and adventure.

So the next time you’re traveling Route 66, keep your eyes peeled for these glowing markers. Stop, snap a photo, and take a moment to appreciate 100 years of America’s Highway—and the bright future still ahead.

Map of Route 66 Centennial Monuments

Want to see where you can find each of the Route 66 Centennial Monuments? This interactive map highlights every current installation along the Mother Road, making it easy to plan your road trip stops, snap some photos, and celebrate 100 years of Route 66 history on your next road trip.