El Reno, Oklahoma, turned Wednesday into a celebration of America’s historic Main Street – Route 66 – as the town unveiled a new flag display honoring the eight states that the Mother Road traverses. The ceremony, held at Mother Road Plaza on the historic highway, featured local historian and El Reno Public Schools teacher Brian Rukes, who explained the symbolism of the flags and the city’s unique position as a crossroads of the continent.
Flag installation honors eight states
“We’re dedicating this new flag installation here at Mother Road Plaza on Route 66,” Rukes said. “We’re installing flags for all eight states that Route 66 runs through as a tribute.” The eight flags – representing Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California – now wave side‑by‑side, reminding visitors of the highway’s unifying legacy.
El Reno’s crossroads identity
Rukes highlighted why El Reno is an ideal host for the tribute. “Right here in El Reno, we consider ourselves the crossroads of the continent—because we not only have Route 66, which is, of course, the Mother Road and the Main Street of America, we have Highway 81 running all the way up to Canada and down to Mexico,” he explained. “Route 66 is a linear community. All of the towns along Route 66 are connected.”
Visitor center draws global attention
The celebration is part of a year‑long recognition of Route 66 that has already attracted tourists from around the world. “At our visitor station just a block up, we’ve had visitors from over 105 foreign countries in 18 months or so of them being open,” Rukes noted, underscoring the highway’s continued draw for travelers seeking a slice of Americana.
Music, food and community spirit
Live music filled the plaza as the city’s signature fried onion burgers sizzled on the grill, offering a tasty nod to local culinary tradition. The event blended nostalgia with forward‑looking optimism. “The vision over the next 100 years is to continue to celebrate Route 66 and be continued to join together as a country in unity,” Rukes said, emphasizing the highway’s role in fostering national cohesion.
Looking ahead
Organizers hope the centennial festivities will inspire future generations to preserve and promote the Mother Road. With the new flag display now a permanent feature of Mother Road Plaza, El Reno positions itself as a welcoming waypoint for travelers heading westward or eastward, reinforcing the town’s historic role as a gathering place for families, faith‑filled communities and proud Americans.
Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
