Here's a neon shot of the Gaddy Drug sign. This drug store has been serving Muskogee, OK since 1949. 08-06
It's hard to beat the glow of an old neighborhood drug store, and Gaddy Drug has been lighting up Muskogee since 1949. Originally located where the Muskogee Public Library now stands, the pharmacy moved to the Broadway Shopping Center in 1960, where its colorful neon sign has continued welcoming customers for decades.
Back in the day, independent drug stores were more than just places to fill a prescription. They were neighborhood gathering spots where everyone seemed to know everyone else. Gaddy Drug still carries that small-town feel, and the vintage Coca-Cola mural painted along the side of the building only adds to its nostalgic charm. If the city of Muskogee sounds familiar, it may be because Merle Haggard made it famous with his 1969 hit "Okie from Muskogee." 08-06
UPDATE: Gaddy Drug continues to serve the Muskogee community from its longtime Broadway Street location. In late 2025, the historic pharmacy changed ownership, but remains an independently operated business while preserving the character and hometown atmosphere that have made it a local favorite for generations. 06-26
Meadow Gold Neon 2010
Tulsa, OK Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Here's the historic Meadow Gold sign as it appeared in 2010 after its remarkable restoration. One of Tulsa's most recognizable Route 66 landmarks, this massive neon beauty features two faces that each measure an incredible 30 feet tall and 30 feet wide. It was originally installed atop the Meadow Gold dairy building at 11th Street and Lewis Avenue, where it watched over motorists for decades.
When the old dairy building was slated for demolition in 2004, it looked like the sign's days were numbered. Fortunately, local preservationists stepped in and refused to let one of Tulsa's most iconic pieces of roadside history disappear. The sign was carefully removed, restored by Claude Neon—the same company that built it—and relocated about a mile west to a specially constructed pavilion along historic Route 66. It's one of Tulsa's greatest preservation success stories. 10-10
UPDATE: The first time I came across the Meadow Gold sign, it looked tired and neglected, making it hard to imagine the landmark it would become. Over the past couple of decades, it's been fascinating to watch not only the sign return to its former glory, but also the surrounding neighborhood come back to life. The restoration was completed in 2009, and in 2016 the sign's long-missing clocks were recreated and installed, finally returning it to its original appearance. Today, the Meadow Gold District has become one of the highlights along Tulsa's Route 66 corridor, and the brilliant neon can be seen glowing from blocks away. 06-26
C&C Tile and Carpet
Tulsa, OK Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The colorful neon sign at C&C Tile and Carpet has been catching the attention of passing motorists since the business opened in 1957. Located along Harvard Avenue, this longtime Tulsa institution has supplied flooring and carpet to generations of homeowners while quietly preserving one of the city's classic neon gems.
Although it's a short drive south of Route 66, the detour is well worth it once the sun goes down. The bright neon makes a striking sight against the evening sky and serves as a reminder of a time when even neighborhood businesses invested in eye-catching signs to advertise their services. Thankfully, C&C has continued to maintain both its business and its vintage sign, allowing a small piece of Tulsa's neon heritage to live on.
UPDATE: More than six decades after opening its doors, C&C Tile and Carpet continues to operate from its longtime Harvard Avenue location. The business remains family owned, and its beautifully preserved neon sign is still lighting up the Tulsa night, making it one of the city's lesser-known but most rewarding neon stops. 06-26
Pioneer Cleaners and Laundry
Tulsa, OK Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The neon sign at Pioneer Cleaners and Laundry is one of Tulsa's more unique roadside treasures. Located just a few blocks south of Route 66 along Harvard Avenue, the colorful display features a striking frontier woman that, according to local lore, was inspired by the famous Pioneer Woman statue in Ponca City.
Whenever I'm in this part of Tulsa, I always pair this sign with Moody's Jewelry just up the street. They've become a bonded pair in my mind—kind of like a couple of my rescue pups. If I'm photographing one, I'm almost always stopping to photograph the other. Together they make one of the best one-two punches of vintage neon anywhere in the city.
Back when custom neon was a way for businesses to stand out from the competition, Pioneer Cleaners chose a design that celebrated Oklahoma's heritage instead of relying on a standard logo. Catch it after dark, and you'll see why it remains a favorite stop for neon enthusiasts exploring Tulsa. 08-17
UPDATE: Pioneer Cleaners and Laundry continues to operate from its longtime Harvard Avenue location, and its iconic neon sign remains beautifully preserved and illuminated each night. Along with nearby Moody's Jewelry, it remains one of the highlights of Tulsa's outstanding collection of vintage neon. 06-26
Atlas Life
Tulsa, OK Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
One of Tulsa's finest neon signs can be found hanging from the beautiful Atlas Life Building in downtown Tulsa. Built in 1922, the twelve-story skyscraper was designed by the architectural firm Rush, Endacott & Rush and celebrated its grand opening with an elaborate public ceremony. It remains one of the city's best examples of Classical Revival architecture.
The four-story blade sign is hard to miss, especially after dark when the neon comes alive. Look closely and you'll spot Atlas carrying the world on his shoulders, a fitting symbol for what was once Oklahoma's largest life insurance company. If you happen to look up, you'll also find a large stone sculpture of Atlas perched atop the building, tying the whole design together. It's one of those details that's easy to overlook unless you know it's there. 08-17
UPDATE: The Atlas Life Building continues to be one of downtown Tulsa's architectural highlights. Following a meticulous restoration, the building was converted into a Courtyard by Marriott while preserving many of its original features, including the marble lobby, bronze Atlas clock, and the magnificent neon blade sign, which still lights up the streets of downtown each night. 06-26
Atlas sign zoom in on Atlas
Tulsa, OK Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Cain's Ballroom
Tulsa, OK Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Here's a shot of the legendary Cain's Ballroom at dusk in downtown Tulsa. The place was buzzing this evening, with a crowd already lined up outside waiting for the doors to open.
The building first opened in 1924 as a garage before Madison W. "Daddy" Cain transformed it into Cain's Dance Academy in 1930. It soon became the home of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, whose live radio broadcasts helped make Western Swing famous across the country. After a few quieter decades, the ballroom was restored and reopened as a concert venue in 1978, welcoming everyone from the Sex Pistols, who made their only Oklahoma appearance here, to Willie Nelson, B.B. King, Tom Petty, Van Halen, U2, and countless other legendary performers.
Recognized as one of America's great music venues, Cain's Ballroom was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 4, 2003. Whether you're catching a concert or simply admiring the iconic neon sign outside, it's one of Tulsa's true must-see landmarks. ]For more information, see here as well as Cain's Ballroom website. 08-17
UPDATE: Cain's Ballroom recently celebrated its 100th anniversary and continues to host a packed calendar of concerts. The famous spring-loaded maple dance floor is still bouncing beneath enthusiastic crowds, making Cain's every bit as special today as it was decades ago. 06-26
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Cain's Ballroom
