Bristow Raising Funds to Restore Historic Chrysler Sign

The City of Bristow has a plan to relight one of the most iconic signs along Oklahoma Route 66 in time for the Centennial.

The Bristow Historical Society in Creek County is raising money to relight the Chrysler Plymouth sign that dates back to 1949. At over 100 feet tall, the sign advertising the Beard Motor Company was the tallest free-standing advertising sign in the Souhwest. After the Turner Turnpike opened and the owner of the business died tragically, the sign went dark and it became a landmark to the past. With the revitalization of Route 66, Bristow is hoping the sign can be a beacon once again, visible for miles in the night.

There are multiple efforts underway to raise the money needed to relight the sign. The Bristow Historical Society is selling personalized bricks that will installed at the base of a new display area for the landmark sign. The Southern Plains MOPAR Fest, which takes place May 12th and 13th, is donating part of their proceeds towards the effort. The Historical Museum inside the old train depot is selling merchandise.

The Oklahoma Route 66 Association is keeping any eye out for grants and other opportunities that will help Bristow achieve their goal, which is $300,000. Joe Trigalet told KOTV last year, "We've got to soda blast it, and repaint it, the letters all have to be refurbished, the transformers that were on there from the original neon are like 70 years old."

You can stay up to date via the Bristow Historical Society Facebook page. We certainly can’t wait to see this amazing piece of Route 66 history come alive once again!