Tulsa in Tulsa County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

Will Rogers Motor Court

5737 East 11th Street

Photographed By Jason Voigt, April 8, 2021

1. Will Rogers Motor Court Marker

Inscription. Paul and Dora Johnson purchased the motel in the mid-1940s, a few years after it was built. Their son, Paul Jr., started managing the property in 1947. The iconic neon sign was built four years later. That shining beacon, coupled with awards from AAA and Duncan Hines, attracted leisure travelers from all over. The motel had 36 rooms with all of the amenities. A swimming pool was added in 1958 along with several more rooms to handle the increased traffic. The office switchboard was not only connected to each room, but also McCollum's Restaurant next door. The local diner provided room service for their guests. After the bypass was completed, business dwindled. The Johnson family sold the motel in 1977, after which it was used for storage. Sadly, it was demolished a few years later.

Erected 2020 by Tulsa Route 66 Commission and Vision 2025.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1947.

Location. 36° 8.448′ N, 96° 0.404′ W. Marker is in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in Tulsa County. Marker is on Southwest Boulevard (Old U.S. 66) north of West 17th Street, on the right when traveling

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south. Marker and sign are located at the Route 66 Neon Sign Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1450 Southwest Blvd, Tulsa OK 74107, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Oil Capital Motel (here, next to this marker); Tulsa Auto Court (here, next to this marker); West Tulsa (approx. ¼ mile away); Tulsa's 11th Street Bridge (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Tulsa's 11th Street Bridge (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Bridge that Saved Tulsa (approx. 0.3 miles away); "East Meets West" (approx. 0.3 miles away); Cyrus Stevens Avery (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tulsa.

Also see . . . Route 66 Neon Sign Park Takes Shape in Tulsa. Published on 8/19/2020 by Route66news.com, this article is about the Neon Sign Park, also known as Southwest Avery Plaza. Three long-gone Route 66 businesses' signs were in the process of being restored and placed near the old Historic 11th Street Bridge. Signs were cleaned and installed during the summer of 2020. A "lights on" event was hosted by the City of Tulsa in September 2020. (Submitted on April 21, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed By Jason Voigt, April 8, 2021

2. Will Rogers Motor Court Marker

Located at Route 66 Neon Sign Park.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 413 times since then and 124 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 21, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.