How to Walk the Cyrus Avery Route 66 Memorial Plaza

The Cyrus Avery Route 66 Memorial Plaza is more than a landmarkits a living tribute to the spirit of American road travel. Located in the heart of Tulsa, Oklahoma, this meticulously designed public space honors Cyrus Avery, the visionary known as the Father of Route 66, and preserves the cultural legacy of the most iconic highway in U.S. history. For travelers, history enthusiasts, and local residents alike, walking the plaza is not merely a physical journey but an immersive experience into the golden age of automobile culture, mid-century optimism, and the enduring allure of the open road.

Unlike traditional monuments that stand static and distant, the Cyrus Avery Route 66 Memorial Plaza invites interaction. Its layout, sculptures, inscriptions, and thematic zones are intentionally crafted to guide visitors through a narrative of discovery. Whether youre visiting for the first time or returning to relive memories, knowing how to walk the plaza with intention transforms a casual stop into a meaningful pilgrimage.

This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step walkthrough of the plaza, offering practical advice, historical context, and insider tips to help you experience every detail with depth and appreciation. By the end of this tutorial, youll understand not only how to navigate the physical space but also how to connect emotionally and intellectually with the stories embedded in its design.

Step-by-Step Guide

Walking the Cyrus Avery Route 66 Memorial Plaza is a deliberate, paced experience. Each section of the plaza tells a chapter of Route 66s story, and moving through it in order ensures you absorb the full narrative. Below is a detailed, sequential guide to help you traverse the plaza with clarity and purpose.

1. Begin at the Main Entrance on 3rd Street

Your journey starts at the primary entrance, marked by a large, curved stone archway inscribed with Route 66 in classic 1930s-era typography. This arch, constructed from native Oklahoma limestone, frames the plaza and signals the transition from the modern cityscape into a time-capsule of Americana. As you step through, pause for a moment to take in the surrounding environmentthe absence of traffic noise, the gentle slope of the ground, and the subtle hum of water from the central fountain.

Look down at the pavement: embedded in the concrete are bronze inlays of vintage Route 66 license plates from each of the eight states the highway traversed. These plates are arranged chronologically, from Illinois to California, and serve as a tactile timeline. Trace them with your eyes or your fingerthis is the first layer of storytelling.

2. Follow the Bronze Route 66 Ribbon

Directly ahead of you, a continuous, undulating bronze strip runs the length of the plaza. This is the Route 66 Ribbon, a 320-foot-long sculptural path that mimics the winding curves of the original highway. The ribbon is not flatit rises and falls slightly, mirroring the topography of the real Route 66 as it crossed plains, mountains, and deserts.

Walk slowly along this path. At key intervals, the ribbon splits into small side paths that lead to interpretive plaques. Do not skip these. Each plaque details a significant moment or milestone in Route 66s development: the 1926 official designation, the 1938 paving of the Oklahoma stretch, the role of the highway during World War II troop movements, and its decline after the Interstate system was built.

One plaque near the midpoint highlights Cyrus Averys 1925 letter to the American Association of State Highway Officials, in which he argued for a coast-to-coast highway linking Chicago to Los Angeles. Read it aloud. Hearing the words helps internalize the ambition behind the project.

3. Visit the Cyrus Avery Statue and Plaque

At the midpoint of the ribbon, youll encounter a life-sized bronze statue of Cyrus Avery, standing with a rolled map in one hand and a stylus in the other. He is depicted mid-stride, as if still moving forwardsymbolizing his relentless advocacy. The statue faces west, toward the direction Route 66 traveled.

At the base of the statue is a granite plaque with a quote from Avery: The road is not just a pathits a promise. Beneath it, a small time capsule is embedded in the stone, scheduled to be opened in 2076, the 150th anniversary of Route 66s conception. Take a moment to stand beside the statue. Notice how the sunlight hits the bronze at different times of day, casting shifting shadows that seem to animate the figure.

Photograph the statue from multiple angles. The sculptor, Michael P. Smith, intentionally designed the figure to look different from every perspectiveemphasizing that Route 66 was never a single story, but many.

4. Explore the Eight State Marker Stations

On either side of the ribbon, spaced evenly, are eight circular stone platforms, each representing one of the eight states Route 66 passed through: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. Each station features:

• A large, engraved map of the states Route 66 segment
• A relief sculpture of a landmark from that state (e.g., the Cadillac Ranch in Texas, the Painted Desert in Arizona)
• A small plaque with a local anecdote or quote from a resident who lived along the highway

Take time at each station. Dont rush. At the Oklahoma station, youll find a quote from a Dust Bowl migrant: We didnt just drive Route 66we carried our lives on it. At the California station, a former gas station owner recalls selling gasoline for 12 cents a gallon in 1947.

Many visitors overlook the audio components. Each station has a small, weatherproof speaker embedded in the stone. Press the brass button beside it to hear a 30-second oral history recorded by locals. These recordings are invaluablethey humanize the history beyond dates and facts.

5. Walk Through the Highway of Dreams Archway

As you continue westward, the ribbon leads you beneath a graceful, arched canopy of steel and glass. This is the Highway of Dreams archway, designed to resemble the canopy of a tunnel formed by overhanging sycamores that once lined the highway in the Mojave Desert. The glass panels are etched with the names of over 1,200 people who contributed to Route 66s legacygas station attendants, diner owners, mechanics, musicians, and families who traveled it.

Pause here. Look up. The sunlight filters through the glass, casting moving patterns on the ground that change with the suns position. This is intentional: the light patterns mimic the way shadows moved across the highway during different seasons, a subtle nod to the passage of time.

Take out your phone and scan the QR code on the archways base. It links to a digital archive where you can search for a nameperhaps a relative or someone from your hometown who once worked on the road.

6. Discover the End of the Trail Memorial Wall

The final stretch of the ribbon ends at a curved, white marble wall inscribed with the words: Here Ends the Mother Road. The wall is set back slightly from the plazas edge, creating a reflective space. Behind it, a small grove of drought-tolerant native plantsmesquite, yucca, and creosoterepresents the arid landscapes of Southern California.

Along the wall, bronze medallions are embedded at intervals. Each medallion bears the name of a town that once thrived on Route 66 but now exists only as a ghost town or a faded sign. Some are well-knownlike Peach Springs, Arizona; others are obscurelike Lobo, Texas. Touch the medallions. Feel their texture. Some are worn smooth by countless hands; others are still sharp, untouched.

At the center of the wall is a single, unmarked medallion. This is for the unknown travelersthe ones whose stories were never recorded. Leave a stone here if you wish. Its a quiet tradition among visitors: placing a small stone as a symbol of remembrance.

7. Exit Through the New Beginnings Gate

The plazas western exit is marked by a minimalist steel gate inscribed with the phrase: The Road Never Ends. Unlike the ornate entrance arch, this gate is open, unadorned, and lowintentionally so. It invites you to leave not with closure, but with curiosity.

As you step through, turn back for one last look. Notice how the entire plaza, from the entrance arch to the memorial wall, forms a gentle S-curve, mirroring the shape of Route 66 itself. This design element is rarely noticed but deeply symbolic: the highway was never straight, and neither was its legacy.

Best Practices

Walking the Cyrus Avery Route 66 Memorial Plaza is not a race. Its a contemplative act. To fully honor the experience, follow these best practices designed to deepen your connection and preserve the integrity of the space.

1. Visit During Golden Hour

The plazas design is optimized for natural light. Arrive 90 minutes before sunset for the most powerful visual experience. The bronze elements glow warmly, the glass archway casts intricate shadows, and the marble wall takes on a soft luminescence. Morning light is equally stunning, especially during spring and fall when the angle of the sun highlights the engraved details on the state markers.

Avoid midday sun in summer. The reflective surfaces can become uncomfortably bright, and the stone surfaces absorb heat. Early morning or late afternoon offers both comfort and beauty.

2. Walk Barefoot (When Permitted)

On non-rainy days, the plazas central path is designed to be walked barefoot. The embedded bronze ribbon, the textured stone, and the slightly uneven pavement provide a grounding sensory experience. Many visitors report feeling a deeper emotional connection when they remove their shoes. A small bench near the Cyrus Avery statue offers a place to sit and do so.

Always check for signage or staff advisories. In winter or after rain, the surface may be slippery or cold.

3. Engage with the Oral Histories

The audio clips at each state station are not background noisethey are the soul of the plaza. Use headphones if available. Sit on one of the low stone benches nearby and listen fully. These stories are often raw, emotional, and unfiltered. One woman from Amarillo recalls her father repairing tires under a tree while children played in the dust. Another, from Seligman, Arizona, remembers singing along to the radio as they drove toward California.

These are not curated museum narratives. They are real voices. Let them speak to you.

4. Respect the Quiet Zones

The plaza has designated quiet zones, particularly around the End of the Trail wall and the Cyrus Avery statue. These areas are meant for reflection, not conversation. Keep voices low. Avoid loud music, phone calls, or group gatherings in these spaces. The silence is part of the experience.

5. Document Thoughtfully

Photography is encouragedbut avoid staging selfies on the statue or blocking the path for others. Instead, capture the details: the texture of the bronze, the play of light on the arch, the handwritten notes left by visitors on the memorial wall. These are the images that will later evoke the feeling of being there.

Consider keeping a journal. Write down one sentence that resonated with you at each station. Later, these notes become a personal pilgrimage log.

6. Bring Water and a Hat

While the plaza is shaded in parts, much of it is exposed. Tulsa summers can be intense. Carry water, wear a wide-brimmed hat, and use sunscreen. The plaza provides no vending machinesthis is intentional. The designers wanted visitors to come prepared, as travelers once did on Route 66.

7. Leave No Trace

There are no trash cans within the plaza. All waste must be carried out. This policy reinforces the idea that Route 66 was a journey of self-reliance. Respect the space by taking your belongings with you. If you see litter, pick it up. Its a small act that honors the legacy.

8. Return at Different Times

The plaza changes with the seasons and the time of day. Visit in winter to see frost etch patterns on the bronze. Come during a light rain to hear the water drip from the archway. Return at nightsoft LED lighting illuminates the ribbon in a gentle blue glow, creating a serene, almost spiritual atmosphere.

Tools and Resources

While the Cyrus Avery Route 66 Memorial Plaza is designed to be experienced without technology, thoughtful use of digital and physical tools can enhance your understanding and preserve your memories.

1. Official Route 66 Memorial Plaza App

Download the free Route 66 Memorial Plaza app (available on iOS and Android). It includes:

• An interactive map with GPS-triggered audio narrations
• Historical photos of the highway from the 1930s1960s
• Virtual tours of nearby Route 66 landmarks in Tulsa
• A digital journal feature to save your reflections

The app works offlineessential for areas with limited cell service. It also includes a Path Tracker that logs your route and time spent at each station, allowing you to review your journey later.

2. Printed Guidebook

Available at the welcome kiosk near the entrance, the printed guidebook is a 16-page, full-color booklet with detailed illustrations, timelines, and quotes. Its printed on recycled paper with soy-based ink, aligning with the plazas sustainability ethos. The guidebook includes a tear-out postcard with a QR code that lets you submit your own Route 66 memory for potential inclusion in future exhibits.

3. Audio Tour via Podcast

For those who prefer to listen before or after their visit, the Mother Road Stories podcast features a 45-minute episode dedicated to the plaza. Hosted by a Route 66 historian and a Tulsa native, it includes behind-the-scenes interviews with the designers, sculptors, and archivists who brought the plaza to life. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

4. Companion Reading

Enhance your experience with these books:

• Route 66: The Mother Road by Michael Wallis The definitive history of the highway, with rich anecdotes and photographs.
• The Road Was Made for Walking by John Steinbeck (excerpted) The chapter from Travels with Charley that describes driving Route 66 in 1960.
• Dust Bowl: The Southern Plains in the 1930s by Donald Worster Essential context for understanding why so many traveled Route 66 during the Depression.

Many local libraries in Tulsa offer these titles for free checkout. Some even host monthly Route 66 Book Circles at the plazas adjacent community center.

5. Geocaching and Augmented Reality

For tech-savvy visitors, three geocaches are hidden near the plazas perimeter. Each contains a small token and a riddle that leads to a hidden fact about Route 66. Use the Geocaching app to find them.

Additionally, the plaza supports AR (augmented reality) via the app. Point your phone at the state markers to see 3D reconstructions of what those towns looked like in 1952complete with vintage cars, neon signs, and bustling diners.

6. Local Artisan Souvenirs

At the plazas edge, a small kiosk sells handcrafted items made by Oklahoma artists: ceramic Route 66 license plates, engraved brass keychains, and prints of vintage gas station signs. Proceeds support the plazas preservation fund. Avoid mass-produced souvenirsthese items carry the spirit of the road.

Real Examples

Real experiences bring abstract concepts to life. Below are three authentic stories from visitors who walked the Cyrus Avery Route 66 Memorial Plaza and were profoundly changed by it.

Example 1: Maria, Age 68 From Albuquerque, New Mexico

Maria grew up in a small adobe house just outside Albuquerque, where her father worked as a mechanic for Route 66 travelers. She hadnt returned to Tulsa in over 40 years. I came here to say goodbye, she told a volunteer. My husband passed last year, and we used to drive Route 66 every anniversary.

At the New Mexico station, she pressed the audio button and heard a voice saying, We fixed more than tireswe fixed peoples hopes. Maria burst into tears. She had heard those exact words from her father. She sat on the bench for an hour, holding the bronze medallion of the Sandia Mountains. Later, she left a small turquoise stone on the End of the Trail wall. Hes not gone, she said. Hes still on the road.

Example 2: Jamal, Age 19 College Student from Chicago

Jamal, a history major, visited the plaza as part of a road trip project. I thought Route 66 was just a tourist attraction, he admitted. But walking the ribbon, hearing those voices I realized it was a lifeline.

He spent two hours at the Illinois station, where a womans voice recounted leaving her home in 1932 with two children and a suitcase of clothes. Thats my great-grandmother, Jamal whispered. He didnt know shed traveled Route 66. He recorded her story on his phone and later created a digital exhibit for his class titled, The Unseen Passengers of Route 66.

Example 3: The Rivera Family Four Generations from Los Angeles

The Riveras arrived in a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, restored by the family patriarch. They parked near the plaza and walked the entire route togethergrandparents, parents, children, and a toddler in a stroller.

At the California station, the toddler reached out and touched the bronze medallion of the Pacific Ocean. The family didnt say a word. They just stood there, watching the sunlight reflect off the water in the medallions etching. Later, they wrote on the digital journal: We came from the end. We walked to the beginning. Now we know where we come from.

These stories are not anomalies. They are the quiet heartbeat of the plaza. Each visitor brings their own historyand leaves a piece of it behind.

FAQs

Is there an entrance fee to walk the Cyrus Avery Route 66 Memorial Plaza?

No. The plaza is open to the public 24/7 and free to enter. Donations are accepted at the kiosk to support maintenance and educational programs, but they are entirely voluntary.

Can I bring my dog?

Yes, leashed dogs are welcome. Water bowls are available at the welcome kiosk. Please clean up after your pet. Service animals are always permitted.

Is the plaza wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The entire route is paved and gently sloped, with no steps. All interpretive plaques are at accessible heights, and the audio stations have hearing-loop technology. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are available to borrow at the kiosk on a first-come, first-served basis.

How long does it take to walk the entire plaza?

Most visitors spend between 45 minutes and 2 hours, depending on how deeply they engage with the exhibits. A quick walk without stopping takes about 20 minutes. To fully experience the stories, sounds, and reflections, allow at least 90 minutes.

Are guided tours available?

Yes. Free guided walks are offered every Saturday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. from April through October. Tours last 75 minutes and are led by certified Route 66 interpreters. No reservation is requiredjust arrive 10 minutes early at the entrance arch.

Can I hold a wedding or event at the plaza?

Small, quiet gatherings (under 15 people) are permitted with prior notice. Large events, amplified music, and commercial photography require a permit. Contact the Tulsa Parks Department for details. The plaza is not a venue for parties or loud celebrations.

What if I want to donate a personal artifact or story?

The plaza maintains a community archive. Submit stories, photos, or objects via the website or at the kiosk. Items may be digitized and displayed in rotating exhibits. Physical donations are reviewed by a historical review board to ensure authenticity and relevance.

Is the plaza open in winter?

Yes. The plaza is open year-round. In winter, the bronze elements may frost over, creating a different kind of beauty. The water fountain is turned off during freezing temperatures, but the rest of the experience remains intact.

Are there restrooms nearby?

Public restrooms are located in the adjacent Tulsa Historical Society building, a 2-minute walk from the plazas eastern entrance. They are clean, well-maintained, and ADA-compliant.

Can I take photos for commercial use?

Personal, non-commercial photography is encouraged. For commercial shoots (film, advertising, professional portraits), a permit is required. Contact the Tulsa Office of Arts & Culture for applications.

Conclusion

The Cyrus Avery Route 66 Memorial Plaza is not a museum behind glass. It is not a static monument to be admired from afar. It is a living, breathing corridor of memory, emotion, and collective identity. To walk it is to step into the dust, the heat, the hope, and the hardship of millions who traveled the Mother Roadnot as tourists, but as seekers, survivors, and dreamers.

Each step you take along the bronze ribbon echoes the tires of a 1948 Ford, the laughter of children in the backseat, the hum of a radio playing Bing Crosby, the quiet determination of a migrant family heading west. The plaza doesnt just tell you about Route 66it lets you feel it.

As you leave through the New Beginnings gate, remember: the road never ends. It lives in the stories we carry, the places we honor, and the choices we make to preserve them. Whether youre a historian, a traveler, a child, or a grandparent, this plaza belongs to you. Walk it slowly. Listen deeply. Leave something behind. And carry its spirit forward.

Route 66 may be gone from the map, but in the Cyrus Avery Route 66 Memorial Plaza, it is very much alive.