By 1949, an enterprising local businessman named Red Beard dreamed of drawing Route 66 travelers to his 24-hour automotive dealership located in Bristow, OK. With the help of local craftsmen, Red erected the tallest, independently suspended neon advertising sign in the entire southwest. His steel tower soared 102 feet tall, with a 25-foot-tall flagpole on top of that, to allow the stars and stripes to be flown high and proud.The six-foot-tall letters on the sign spelled out “CHRYSLER PLYMOUTH” and were welded by local welders, 20 tons of steel pipe went into the construction of the tower, which is shaped like an oil derrick, true to our Oklahoma history. Our community cheered on the workers as the built and raised the tower. Sadly, the lights went dark less than a decade later when the owner died. The Bristow Historical Society is raising funds to relight this iconic piece of Route 66 history and dreams of the day when it will shine once more for travelers to enjoy. Come see us!