There is a spot in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where the story of one of America’s most legendary roads is told not through words, but through towering bronze. A massive sculpture freezes a dramatic moment in time, right where the old highway once crossed the Arkansas River.
The detail in this artwork is the kind that makes you stop mid-step and just stare. I had driven past this area before without knowing what was tucked down near the riverbank, and the day I finally stopped turned out to be one of the best unplanned detours I have ever made on a road trip.
Keep reading, because this place has a lot more going on than just a pretty statue.
Where the Plaza Sits and How to Get There
Right on Southwest Boulevard in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza sits at the edge of the Arkansas River at the coordinates that once marked one of the most important crossings on the original Route 66. The full address is Southwest Blvd, Tulsa, OK 74127, and it is open 24 hours a day, every day of the week…