Happy 100 Route 66! Twenty Twenty Six marks the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road Route 66.
Happy 100 Route 66!
Steve and I were so happy to be able to spend so much time traveling and exploring Route 66 on its centennial celebration.
We’d already explored Oklahoma City a few years back. So this time we stayed in El Reno, about 30 miles away.
Site where Sir Paul McCartney stopped to ask for directions!
It turned out to be a great place to stay. The Old Route 66 RV Park was conveniently located making for easy drives to all of the attractions we wanted to visit. And it gave us the opportunity to spend lots of time getting our kicks on Route 66!
While visiting John’s Place, that quirky museum in Arcadia OK, owner John Hargrove told us about a mile long portion of Route 66 that was part of the original road. So naturally we had to drive it.
An historic marker along an historic road
A couple of things are unique about this short portion of highway. The first is that it’s paved with concrete. It actually feels different than the black top roads of today.
The other thing that sets it apart it that Sir Paul McCartney, of Beatles fame, stopped on this stretch of road to ask directions! It was such a momentous occasion that a sign was erected to commemorate the event.
Just hangin’ around
Can’t you just imagine it? It’s August 5, 2008. You are a local resident, named Toby Thompson. You are working outside when a green, 1989 Ford Bronco stops in front of you. The driver nonchalantly asks you if it was Old 66 that he was on.
It took a few moments for Toby to realized that the man he was talking to was non other than that legendary member of the Fab Four Paul McCartney!
Map of Oklahoma with locks attached
Paul, and his future wife Nancy Shevell, were taking a leisurely driving trip. They started out from his holiday home in the Hamptons, New York. They picked up Route 66 in In Illinois and continued traveling that route through Oklahoma.
Along their way, though they’d hope to remain incognito, many people spotted the couple throughout their entire tour.
Relaxing in El Reno on Historic Route 66
Following our short, but memorable drive on this historic portion of Route 66, we headed to downtown El Reno.
It was such a perfect photo op! First and foremost, we got to actually sit in the sixes! But in addition to that there were many other markers for this famous road celebrating its 100th year of existence.
Historic Marker for Onion Burgers created in El Reno
And, since I’m always on the lookout for interesting food tidbits to share with you, it was eye opening to see an historic marker for the onion burger.
Yup. The Onion Burger was created in El Reno OK, by Homer and Ross Davis in 1922 at the Hamburger Inn restaurant on Route 66. Designed during the Great Railroad Strike to be a cost-saving trick to stretch expensive beef. Ross Davis pile a massive amount of cheap, thinly sliced yellow onions into a small ball of ground beef. Then he smashed them flat to combine them on a hot griddle. They were originally given the nickname of the Depression Burger and cost a whopping five cents!
Nowadays the Onion Burger remains a staple in El Reno. They even host an annual Fried Onion Burger Day festival.
Corner Sign
Steve and I were so glad to have been able to explore so much of Route 66 in Oklahoma. Now we want to explore as much more of it as we can. Here’s to many more trips on Route 66!!!
