We Go to the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum

After our latest go to to the brand new Rock Creek Bridge park in Sapulpa, we made a cease on the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum earlier than heading downtown for taiyaki. The museum opened in August 2016, due to the efforts of lawyer Richard Holmes and different automotive fans. You can learn all concerning the course of they went by means of to create the museum on their web site — however in abstract, it was initially going to be the Tulsa Auto Museum. However, after years of being unable to search out the proper location in Tulsa, town of Sapulpa reached out about an accessible area. It was a win-win — Sapulpa bought a brand new Route 66 attraction (in a decommissioned armory), and the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum got here to fruition. (Following some constructing renovations, in fact!)

Inside the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum

The first room you enter is the reward store. After buying our tickets, museum workers handed us a scavenger hunt. This offered an additional degree of interplay with the museum, and it was pretty difficult, too! But after we wanted assist, assist was offered.

After leaving the reward store, you’ll attain a hallway lined with memorabilia. Eventually I noticed that the ground is embellished to appear like a street — which most likely took me longer to understand than you’d count on. Down the hallway to the left is a room full of lovely basic vehicles. Each automotive has a pleasant signal detailing the kind and yr of the automotive, who owns it, and somewhat data about it. We had enjoyable discussing which automotive we’d need to drive out of all of them. Joss went with the 1970 Barracuda.

On the opposite facet of the hallway are just a few totally different rooms, together with an workplace and two show areas. In the bigger area, you’ll discover a navy show. According to the web site, it is a tribute to the constructing’s former use as an armory. There are additionally some impressive-looking engines, racing gear, and extra.

My favourite car was the salmon-pink, 1958 Messerschmitt — a “3-wheeled bubble car.” So cute!

Looking to the long run

Earlier in April 2026, the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum held a groundbreaking for a deliberate 5,000-square-foot growth to the museum. In addition, they may construct a 2,000-square-foot plaza that may enable guests to get nearer entry to one of many museum’s essential options: the world’s tallest fuel pump! Right now, the fuel pump could be very seen — from outdoors a fence. So this will likely be a welcome addition. The growth additionally encompasses a viewing space that will likely be filled with pure gentle. See a rendering beneath:

According to the press launch, the growth is anticipated to be completed in fall 2026. Construction won’t have an effect on the museum’s working hours.

Getting there + Admission

The Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum is correct off of Route 66, simply west of downtown Sapulpa. Thanks to the large fuel pump, it’s very laborious to overlook! The actual tackle is 13 Sahoma Lake Rd., Sapulpa.

It is at present open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays from 12-4 p.m.

Admission is $9.50 for adults, and free for teenagers ages 12 and beneath. So, very affordable!

Learn extra at heartofroute66.org