Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame

Every two years, the association honors two people — one living and one deceased — for the Hall of Fame. Association Members can nominate people at any time and should include the following information:

  • Full name of nominee (state if living or deceased)

  • Biography of nominee (nominee must live or have lived in Oklahoma )

  • Nominee’s contributions to Route 66

  • Reason the nominee deserves the award

  • A portrait-style picture of nominee

You can submit your nomination by filling out this form. You can also send us an e-mail or send information in to our office by mail. Please include your name and contact information in case we have any questions. Please stop by the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton to see the wall of plaques on display celebrating these inductees for their contributions to Route 66!

Here is a list of our past honorees.

2024

Jeannette “Bunny” Neff
Community advocate and Route 66 booster from Sayre, Oklahoma. Supported the original US 66 Highway Association and helped found the Oklahoma Route 66 Association in 1989.

Jerry Mcclanahan
Artist, historian, cartographer, photographer, and painter from Chandler. Perhaps best well-known as the author of the EZ-66 Guide for Travelers, a turn-by-turn guide that is considered by many to be the best travel resource available. Photo by David Schwartz.

2022

Allen Threatt, Sr.
Founder of the Threatt Service Station in Luther, the first Black owned-and-operated service station on Route 66 and strong community advocate.

Betty Wheatley
Owner and operator of the Dairy Ranch in Afton for over forty years and later a devoted volunteer at Afton Station.

2020

Annabelle Russell
Half of the Mediocre Music Makers in Erick, an unforgettable experience that is forever a part of the road.

Harley Russell
Half of the Mediocre Music Makers in Erick, an unforgettable experience that is forever a part of the road.

2018

Hugh & Zelta Davis Hugh built the Blue Whale in Catoosa as an anniversary present for his wife, who collected whale figurines.

Hugh & Zelta Davis
Hugh built the Blue Whale in Catoosa as an anniversary present for his wife, who collected whale figurines.

Blaine Davis Blaine, son of Hugh and Zelta, served as the caretaker for the Oklahoma Route 66’s most beloved roadside icons for decades.

Blaine Davis
Blaine, son of Hugh and Zelta, served as the caretaker for the Oklahoma Route 66’s most beloved roadside icons for decades.

2016

Laurel Kane
Late proprietor of Afton Station and fierce Route 66 advocate. A stop at the Packard Museum in Afton was a highlight for travelers for many years.

Melvena Heisch
Deputy Director of the Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office and constant voice for Route 66 preservation

2014

J.M. Davis Procured the “World’s Largest Privately Owned Gun Collection” in the United States and built a museum around the collection in Claremore.

J.M. Davis
Procured the “World’s Largest Privately Owned Gun Collection” in the United States and built a museum around the collection in Claremore.

Marian Clark Author of several cookbooks based on her Route 66 travels and friend to many along all of Route 66. We have a page dedicated to her archives, which have been donated to the Association, here.

Marian Clark
Author of several cookbooks based on her Route 66 travels and friend to many along all of Route 66. We have a page dedicated to her archives, which have been donated to the Association, here.

2012

Will Rogers Oklahoma’s favorite son, an actor and humorist that was arguably the most famous person in the world during his heyday. After his death in the 1930s, Route 66 became known as the Will Rogers Highway.

Will Rogers
Oklahoma’s favorite son, an actor and humorist that was arguably the most famous person in the world during his heyday. After his death in the 1930s, Route 66 became known as the Will Rogers Highway.

Carol Duncan A long-time booster of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, Carol has helped support the Association’s mission for decades from her home in western Oklahoma.

Carol Duncan
A long-time booster of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, Carol has helped support the Association’s mission for decades from her home in western Oklahoma. Among her many projects was the placement of granite Will Rogers Highway markers throughout the state.

2010

Lucy Stansberry Curator of Elk City’s Old Town Museum for over 30 years, long-time member of several Western Oklahoma historical societies and museum boards.

Lucy Stansberry
Curator of Elk City’s Old Town Museum for over 30 years, long-time member of several Western Oklahoma historical societies and museum boards.

Marion Davidson
Route 66 advocate, car collector, and founder of Route 66 Thunderbirds in Weatherford. Marion helped develop the Heartland of America Heritage Museum and spoke publicly often about the importance of Route 66 and preserving it for future generations.

2008

Luke “Luke” Robison
Builder from Oklahoma City that led the charge to rebuild the Round Barn in Arcadia after it collapsed in 1988.

Kathy Anderson Historian and former President of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association. Produced “Cruisin’ Oklahoma 66” video in 1994.

Kathy Anderson
Historian and former President of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association. Produced “Cruisin’ Oklahoma 66” video in 1994.

2005

Lyle L Overman Elected as the President of the US Highway 66 Association in 1949. Owned and operated the Carlyle Motel in Oklahoma City and led the famous “Will Rogers Highway” caravan that ended in Santa Monica, CA.

Lyle L Overman
Elected as the President of the US Highway 66 Association in 1949. Owned and operated the Carlyle Motel in Oklahoma City and led the famous “Will Rogers Highway” caravan that ended in Santa Monica, CA.

Wanda Queenan Opened Queenan’s Indian Trading Post in Elk City in 1948 and served as the curator of the National Route 66 Museum for many years. (Image courtesy of Joe Sonderman)

Wanda Queenan
Opened Queenan’s Indian Trading Post in Elk City in 1948 and served as the curator of the National Route 66 Museum for many years. (Image courtesy of Joe Sonderman)

2003

Cyrus Avery ”The Father of Route 66” - Cyrus was a supporter of the Good Roads movement and was instrumental in the creation of US Highway 66 in 1926. He also formed the US Highway 66 Association and helped secure the road’s place in cultural histor…

Cyrus Avery
”The Father of Route 66” - Cyrus was a supporter of the Good Roads movement and was instrumental in the creation of US Highway 66 in 1926. He also formed the US Highway 66 Association and helped secure the road’s place in cultural history.

Doc Mason
Dr. Walter S. Mason, Jr. was a veterinarian-turned-hotelier that operated the Tradewinds Motel in Clinton for four decades. He advocated to keep I-40 close to town, helped create the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in 1995, and was one of the people interviewed for the Pixar film Cars.

2001

Gladys Cutberth
Known as “Mrs. 66” Gladys served as the Secretary of the US Highway 66 Association in Oklahoma for over two decades. Along with her husband Jack, she was a tireless advocate for the road. (Image courtesy of The Oklahoma Historical Society)

Jim Ross Author, historian, and Route 66 advocate. Jim has been documenting Route 66 since the 1990s and has been a consistent voice for preserving the road, including its bridges and various alternate alignments. (Image courtesy of Jim Ross)

Jim Ross
Author, historian, and Route 66 advocate. Jim has been documenting Route 66 since the 1990s and has been a consistent voice for preserving the road, including its bridges and various alternate alignments. (Image courtesy of Jim Ross)

1999

Kent Ruth Kent was a journalist, author, and archivist from Geary. He documented nearly 500 sites for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. He also served on the board of the Oklahoma Historical Society and Oklahoma Hall of Fame. (…

Kent Ruth
Kent was a journalist, author, and archivist from Geary. He documented nearly 500 sites for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. He also served on the board of the Oklahoma Historical Society and Oklahoma Hall of Fame. (Photo courtesy of the Oklahoma HOF)

Lucille Hamons Lucille was the “Mother of the Mother Road” and served travelers at her service station near Hydro from 1941 to 2000. She was known for her kindness and became a destination in and of herself. (Image courtesy of Jim Ross)

Lucille Hamons
Lucille was the “Mother of the Mother Road” and served travelers at her service station near Hydro from 1941 to 2000. She was known for her kindness and became a destination in and of herself. (Image courtesy of Jim Ross)

1997

Jack Cutberth Known as “Mr. 66”, Jack was the long-time head of the US Highway 66 Association in Oklahoma. He became involved in 1947 and fought to keep the highway relevant as interstates began to take over the landscape.

Jack Cutberth
Known as “Mr. 66”, Jack was the long-time head of the US Highway 66 Association in Oklahoma. He became involved in 1947 and fought to keep the highway relevant as interstates began to take over the landscape.

Don Mullenix
Don has been involved in Route 66 preservation for many years. Among other projects, Don was a key contributor to the salvaging the Rio Siesta Motel sign in Clinton.

1994

Michael Wallis Author and historian Michael Wallis was the first inductee in the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame the year before the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum opened in Clinton. He was recognized for his unwavering commitment and undying love of Route…

Michael Wallis
Author and historian Michael Wallis was the first inductee in the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame the year before the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum opened in Clinton. He was recognized for his unwavering commitment and undying love of Route 66.