Tulsa will be losing yet another landmark off of route 66 forever. On August 28th, The Metro Diner will be closing its doors for good, just so TU can have a "front" lawn, even though their address is 408 S Harvard and their main entrance is on Delaware.

Next time you get the urge, google "route 66 tulsa" and see how many of the landmarks that draw in tourists no longer exist... Meadowgold sign... gone... Starship Records and Tapes.... gone... and now the Metro Diner... gone...and  who knows what will be happening to the rose bowl.

Building by building we are throwing away our history (and not just on Route 66 either). The developers around town dont care about Tulsa, they care about the bottom line and will do anything they can to line their pockets (just look at the south Tulsa bridge)... after all they can always move (that is if they dont already live in the suburbs)
 

the Rose Bowl, a route 66 icon, was set on fire... again...

This will be the 3rd suspicious fire in about a year. The first one was traced to the pin setting mechanism, the second one was definitely arson, set by the owner of Mickie's in Eastland Mall, because he said they were hurting his business, and now thisone...

maybe those proposing the Route 66 museum in Claremore didn't like my idea and figured they would follow Michael Sparks' lead and eliminate any potential competition...

They shouldn't have to worry, Tulsa always let the "other guy" get the big project... Jenks with the River Walk & Aquarium (and soon Bell's), OKC & the Native American Center, Broken Arrow & Bass Pro... the list goes on...

I hope this fire wasn't enough to finish her off...

Goodbye Starship Records (yeah they are moving, but more of the nostalgia of the mother road is being bulldozed by irresponsible, short-sighted, people who obviously dont care about Tulsa's past)

BTW, if it is so important that TU has a "front" why don't they do so where their "front" is?
TUs address... 408 S Harvard

About a year ago, Chris Nikels Autohaus on 11th & Lewis purchased some property on the southwest corner of old route 66. on this property was an old brick building. In and of itself there wasnt anything about the building itself that was all that important. what was important was the giant MeadowGold sign that dated back to the 30s that was perched upon its roof. Chris tore down the building so his car lot could cover all four corners. (To his credit he allowed the old landmark to be removed so it could be restored before the wreckingball came in).

Chris Nikels on 11th is now boarded up, he has moved his dealership out to Broken Arrow, leaving a large 4 corner empty lot, which is now absent one of its landmarks.

With stewardship like this is it any wonder Tulsa is having an identity crisis?

Rose Bowl to Close Saturday

A route 66 Icon is closing Saturday, the Rose Bowl on 11th Street in Tulsa, Ok is closing its doors and is looking for a buyer. The Rose Bowl being on Route 66 and its unique architecture make it too important to lose. The Rose Bowl was even in in Weird Al Yankovic 's UHF!

I propose that they take the Vision 2025 money at apply it to something that would actually benefit Tulsa. Purchase the Rose Bowl and turn it into a Route 66 Museum. Tulsa has a rich Route 66 history. The Route's creator, Cyrus Avery, is from Tulsa, so it makes perfect sence that we honor the man, his dream, the cars, and "America's Main Street" in its hometown.

We need to quit destroying our history, otherwise we will have nothing to offer except the same cookie cutter buildings found all across this nation. Let instead build upon it, rebuild 11th street, restore its greatness, and give people a reason to come to Tulsa!