Near Afton in Ottawa County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

Sidewalk Highway

U.S. 66 - Will Rogers Highway

— Chicago to Los Angeles —

Sidewalk Highway Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jason Voigt, April 6, 2021

1. Sidewalk Highway Marker

Inscription. In 1922 a new nine-foot-wide roadway was completed between Miami and Afton, OK because no standards existed an so few roads were paved. It's width was not unusual for the era. It consisted of a concrete base and edges with a surface of rock asphalt. In 1926 the "Sidewalk Highway" as it would be known, was adopted by US 66.

Rt. 66 was paved piecemeal from 1926-1937. Since the Miami-to-Afton section was paved, it became the last segment upgraded to the standards established in 1930. It was also realigned and included a new bridge on the Neosho River.

On Sept. 13, 1937, the opening of the bridge completed the last segment of Rt. 66 paving in Oklahoma. The "Sidewalk Highway" thus became one of the early stretches of Mother Road paving to be bypassed an today is the only Rt. 66 roadway of its type in existence.

"Columbus discovered a new World, but the old Tin Lizzie has made us discover America"
Will Rogers

Erected 2010 by Oklahoma Route 66 Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 13, 1937.

Location. 36° 41.983′ N, 94° 56.734′ W. Marker is near Afton

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, Oklahoma, in Ottawa County. Marker is at the intersection of South 520 Road and E 220 Road, on the left when traveling south on South 520 Road. Marker is on a roadside pullout that is seen and accessible from U.S. Highways 60/69. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 21875 S 520 Rd, Afton OK 74331, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Eagle (D-X) Service Station, Afton, Oklahoma (approx. one mile away); Historic Route 66 Ribbon Road - Sidewalk Highway (approx. 8.1 miles away); Rolston Memorial (approx. 8.2 miles away); Grand River Dam (approx. 9.4 miles away); Gateway Sign (approx. 12½ miles away); Miami Trust and Savings Bank Clock (approx. 12.7 miles away); Hadley Building (approx. 12.7 miles away); The Grand Lake Region: An Important Native American Heritage (approx. 12.7 miles away).

Regarding Sidewalk Highway. U.S. Route 66 was well-known as the Main Street of America, or the Mother Road, but not Will Rogers Highway. A congressional resolution to name Route 66 in honor of Will Rogers was considered in 1935 but was not finalized. In 1952, a number of bronze markers were placed to promote the Warner Brothers film "The Will Rogers Story". The U.S. 66 Highway Associaton, Ford Motor Company, and Warner Brothers took part in the promotion. A caravan drove along Route

Photographed By Jason Voigt, April 6, 2021

2. Sidewalk Highway Marker

Marker is on a roadside pullout that is seen and accessible from U.S. Routes 60/69.

66 from St. Louis to Santa Monica placing markers at each state line declaring the name Will Rogers Highway. It was only a movie promotion, not an actual re-naming of the highway.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 221 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 14, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.