Waylan’s Ku-Ku Burger in Miami Added to National Register of Historic Places

The building and neon sign for Waylan’s Ku-Ku in Miami.

The Oklahoma Historical Society and State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) announced yesterday that Waylan’s Ku-Ku Burger in Miami, Oklahoma has been added to the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register is the country’s official list of properties significant in our past.

Waylan’s Ku Ku Burger, located in downtown Miami, has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places for its historical significance as a commercial development along historic Route 66. The Ku-Ku’s Googie-styled architecture has been a mainstay in Miami since its opening in 1965 and is indicative of commercial buildings designed to attract the attention of passing motorists with bold colors, swooping roofline, and neon signs.

Waylan’s is the last survivor of the Ku Ku chain that once boasted over 200 locations across the Midwest. It is still fully operational, with owner Eugene Waylan manning the grill and selling delicious burgers and shakes, as he has for the last 50+ years. The Ku-Ku opened in April of 1966; Gene Waylan purchased it in 1973.

“For long-time Route 66ers in Oklahoma, Gene Waylan is not a stranger,” said Rhys Martin, President of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association. “He’s been a member of the Association since 1990 and his unique building is a popular stop in northeast Oklahoma. When we repainted the nearby Allen’s Fillin’ Station in Commerce and grabbed lunch for our volunteers at Waylan’s, he gave us a handful of keychains for our volunteers. It’s a simple thing, but it shows that he really cares about the community and his place on the highway.”

Gene Waylan in Februrary 2026.

Discussions are underway for a formal ceremony sometime next month; the Oklahoma Route 66 Association will announce such an event as it comes together.

Listing in the National Register of Historic Places is an honorific designation that provides recognition, limited protection, and, in some cases, financial incentives for these important properties. The SHPO identifies, evaluates, and nominates properties for this special designation. The State Historic Preservation Office is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society.

The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications, the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit okhistory.org.