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

Bishop's Driv-Inn

10th Street and Boston Avenue

— Tulsa's Historic Route 66 —

Bishop's Driv-Inn Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 15, 2022

1. Bishop's Driv-Inn Marker

Inscription.
Demolished William W. Bishop was already a successful restaurateur when he opened Bishop's Restaurant at 5th Street and Main Street downtown in 1930, but the success of that business was greater than any of his previous ventures. Six years later, he capitalized on the growing trend of automobile-focused dining by opening Bishop's Driv-Inn (also known as Bishop's Sandwich Shop) at 10th Street and Boston Avenue, right on Route 66. The quest for road food razzle dazzle influenced many of the drive-ins along the Mother Road and Bishop's Sandwich Shop was no different.

The diner took inspiration from the West Coast with a hexagonal building and a tall spire. Illuminated by multi-colored flashing neon, the building appeared as a jewel in the western night. On the northeast corner of the lot, a 5,000 candle-power spotlight threw a beam of light up to 15 miles away to attract hungry Route 66 travelers. The lot could fit 100 cars, but if you preferred to dine inside there was a dining room that seated 32. Attendants would meet you at your vehicle with an umbrella on rainy days.

The diner closed in 1942, as gas rationing during the war had decreased the popularity of automobile travel. The site was later used as a bus station, a used car lot, and Capp's Restaurant before

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it was demolished for parking.

Erected 2019 by Tulsa Route 66 Commission. (Marker Number 13.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.

Location. 36° 8.817′ N, 95° 59.19′ W. Marker is in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in Tulsa County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of West 11th Street (U.S. 66) and South Boston Avenue, on the right when traveling east on West 11th Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tulsa OK 74119, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Oklahoma’s Muscogee Nation

and specifically in the Cherokee Nation.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 10th Street & Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Elliott Building (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cathedral Square (about 600 feet away); First Presbyterian Church Centennial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Oklahoma Natural Gas Company Building (approx. ¼ mile away); Warehouse Market (approx. ¼ mile away); Hotel Ambassador (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pentane (C₅H₁₂) Molecular Model (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tulsa.

Reverse side of Bishop's Driv-Inn Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 15, 2022

2. Reverse side of Bishop's Driv-Inn Marker

Bishop's Driv-Inn Marker looking east on Route 66. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 15, 2022

3. Bishop's Driv-Inn Marker looking east on Route 66.

The former Driv-Inn was on the extreme right of marker (not shown), now a parking lot.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2022, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,061 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 17, 2022, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.