City Lights Up New 'Welcome to Tulsa' Sign at Route 66 Historical Village

City Lights Up New "Welcome to Tulsa" Sign at Route 66 Historical Village

5/27/2026

East/West Signs to Welcome Visitors During Route 66 Centennial Year

(Tulsa, OK) - As Tulsa prepares to celebrate the Route 66 Centennial and its designation as the Capital of Route 66, City leaders, community partners, and residents gathered Tuesday evening at the Route 66 Historical Village for the official lighting ceremony of Tulsa's new Welcome to Tulsa signage.

The new neon-inspired signs are designed to create bold and memorable entry points into Tulsa while celebrating the city's rich history, architecture, and connection to the Mother Road. The project reflects the collective vision of the City and Tulsa City Council's vision to establish significant and attractive signage at key entry points into the city ahead of the international attention expected during the Route 66 Centennial in 2026.

"This lighting ceremony marks another exciting step toward the Route 66 Centennial and the opportunity we have to showcase Tulsa on an international stage," Mayor Nichols said. "These gateway signs are designed to celebrate who we are as a city, from our Route 66 legacy and Art Deco architecture to the creativity and energy that continue to shape Tulsa today. As the Capital of Route 66, we want every person arriving in Tulsa to immediately recognize they are entering a place with a unique history and an exciting future."

The west sign is located near the historic Route 66 Historical Village near Yukon Avenue and Southwest Boulevard, just south of Interstate 244, while the east sign is being installed near the Interstate 44 and Interstate 244 split, east of 129th East Avenue.

The structures feature an inverted triangle with sides rising skyward at a 66-degree angle - a symbolic nod to Tulsa's historic ties to Route 66. Standing approximately 42 feet tall, each sign incorporates the Tulsa flag shield outlined with illuminated acrylic designed to mimic the appearance of classic neon signage. The "Welcome to Tulsa" message is also backlit, creating a striking visual display both day and night.

The project was made possible through collaboration among the City of Tulsa Planning Office, Public Works Department, Tulsa City Council, and a Council working group that helped advance the vision for a coordinated gateway signage program across the city. Both signs were designed in house by Daniel Jeffries - Principal Planner in the City of Tulsa Planning Office.

District 8 City Councilor Phil Lakin served on the Council's working group and his efforts were instrumental in bringing the project from concept to construction.

"For as long as I can remember, I've wanted people to feel something special the moment they enter Tulsa," Councilor Lakin said. "Whether they live here, work here, or are visiting for the first time, I've wanted our city limits to deliver a true 'WOW!' arrival moment. That idea is now a reality. Working with my Council colleagues and the Mayor, we created an opportunity to improve and beautify Tulsa's entrances and exits, and Tulsa voters overwhelmingly supported it. These monuments are bold, creative, unmistakably Tulsa, and incredibly cool. They create the kind of first impression our city deserves, and they will make residents and visitors proud every time they pass them."

Additional partners in the effort include:

• Claude Neon Federal Sign Co. - Tulsa sign company who fabricated the signs
• KFC Engineering - Oklahoma firm who assisted with project engineering
• LandPlan Consultants - Tulsa-based company that coordinated the overall project
• DeVinci Precast - Oklahoma company made the concrete bases for the signs
• Local electricians also helped power the signs

The signage project builds on Tulsa's long-term investment in beautification, tourism, and economic development along Route 66. As part of the 2016 Vision Tulsa economic development package, Tulsa voters approved $11 million for citywide and Route 66 beautification and reinvestment projects. Of that funding, approximately $3.7 million was designated for the city's gateway signage program.

Additional design elements blend Tulsa's iconic Art Deco architecture with midcentury aesthetics. The tri-band wing design flanking the welcome message represents both the city's architectural heritage and Tulsa's longstanding role as a leader in aviation. Each sign is supported by a decorative concrete base stamped with the Tulsa flag star and surrounded by landscaping.

Ultimately, the project is intended to create memorable entry points into Tulsa while honoring the city's historic ties to Route 66 and enhancing the visitor experience for residents and tourists alike. The broader signage initiative could ultimately include as many as 42 signs throughout Tulsa, depending on future construction costs and funding availability. Priority was placed on the two Welcome to Tulsa signs, followed by additional Welcome Monuments and Local Monuments planned for other locations across the city.

For more information about the City of Tulsa's efforts to enhance the Mother Road, or to see a list of Route 66 attractions, visit: https://www.cityoftulsa.org/route66