The eastern portions of 11th Street in Tulsa (also known as Route 66) resemble more of a rural highway than a city road. Homes and empty fields make up most of the landscape with an occasional church or small business hanging on to life. Near 133rd East Avenue, a sign on the south side of … Continue reading The Story of Thrifty
While researching my book, Lost Restaurants of Tulsa, I met and interviewed a lot of people. During that process, I learned a lot about various family histories tied to eateries of the city's past. One of my favorite stories is that of the Eng Family. Their journey weaves in and around generations of family, friends, … Continue reading The Eng Family
If you missed my previous post that covered the journey from Paris Springs to Joplin, Missouri -- check that out here. As I ate my breakfast and visited with my New Zealand traveling companions in Joplin, I noticed they were all wearing small red pins. At first I thought they were little guitars, but I … Continue reading Gilligan’s Spring Tour (II)
In the summer of 2018, I was put in touch with a man named Robert Brooks. Robert is a successful spinal surgeon in the Tulsa area...but I didn't need surgery. I did have a great desire to speak with him about history. Robert had a connection to an eastern landmark on Tulsa Route 66 that … Continue reading The Brookshire Motel
In August of 2016, I wrote a blog post that would have a greater impact on my life than I could ever have imagined. Two months after that visit to the Charcoal Oven in Oklahoma City, I received a call from a publishing company in Chicago; they'd come across what I'd written. A short time … Continue reading A Successful Launch
Hello friends! This is a short post to let everyone know that my book, Lost Restaurants of Tulsa, has a release date! It will be available for sale on December 3rd at a variety of local shops in the city (Magic City Books, Ida Red, etc.) as well as Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Amazon … Continue reading Lost Restaurants of Tulsa – Release Info
I haven't taken as many road trips in 2018 as I have in years past - there's been so much going on around here it's been tough to get away. Thankfully, though, I've been able to check a few things out here locally that I would've missed out on otherwise - one of which took … Continue reading CAF AirPower History Tour
On the way home from Missouri this weekend, I stopped for lunch in Vinita, OK. Normally, I'd stop in at Clanton's...but today I opted for the Hi-Way Cafe just west of town. I'd heard good things and the timing was right. I'm very glad I did. I pulled in to the gravel lot to find … Continue reading The Hi-Way Cafe
There's a new mural along Route 66 in Tulsa. Many travelers and locals know of the Meadow Gold sign near 11th and Peoria. Right next to the brick pavilion that serves as a home to that iconic neon structure, on the east side of the building that houses the Corner Cafe, a colorful artistic work … Continue reading You Said We Couldn’t Do It, But We Did
I came across an old Tulsa World article in the archives at the library recently. It was written a few months after Route 66 was federally de-certified and I found it quite interesting. I have transcribed it below (exactly as written) with the photos from the article. I'll chime in a bit at the end. … Continue reading Along Route 66
Rhys' Pieces 