A Tulsa entrepreneur, Mary Beth Babcock, opened three stores on well-known Route 66 in Tulsa, Okla., as a homage to the famed highway. These are Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on 66 (1347 E. 11th St.), Meadow Gold Mack’s Outpost (1306 E. 11th St., Unit A), and Buck’s Vintage on 66 (1024 S. Quincy Ave.) located near 11th Street and Peoria Avenue in Tulsa.
Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curio on 66 is a shop inside a former gas station that overwhelms visitors with unique Route 66 souvenirs. The store manager, Julia Figueroa, gave me a brief tour around the shop. Besides custom-made T-shirts, I could find glasses, cups, magnets, postcards, stickers, books, and Christmas ornaments with the Route 66 logo.
Most souvenirs are designed or made by local artists and Route 66 history enthusiasts. One of such historians, the president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, Rhys Martin, created a composition for a T-shirt that combines the flag of Tulsa and the Route 66 logo. A 70-year-old artist, Bill Brill, paints and sells Tulsa city landscapes with Route 66 landmarks at the shop.
Another remarkable Route 66 souvenir at Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curio on 66 is free of charge. It is “The Official Travel OK Oklahoma US Route 66 Passport” book presented by the City of Stroud in collaboration with TravelOK.com. The brochure is the size of a real passport. Its cover is yellow with a blue metallic Route 66 logo.
“Stroud is a small town with a big heart, located in the center of Oklahoma on historic Route 66,” the preview of the “Oklahoma US Route 66 Passport” says. “We offer visitors a chance to experience the best of small-town America, with pampering accommodations, excellent eateries, and iconic landmarks.”
Indeed, the “passport” is a great guide for tourists interested in Route 66 history. It has information about businesses, museums, and entertainment centers in dozens of Oklahoma towns and cities located by the famous road. For example, Tulsa’s Circle Cinema and Mother Road Market are mentioned in the brochure.
How should a tourist use the “Oklahoma US Route 66 Passport”? A visitor is encouraged to bring the “passport” to each stop on the “mother road,” and someone will put a stamp on it. Another opportunity is to snap a photo of yourself out front. Then, a tourist is welcomed to take the “passport” to an Oklahoma Tourism Information Center and receive a fun magnet as a prize.
The Meadow Gold Mack’s Outpost with the sign of “35 vendors” by its door is situated right across the road from the Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on 66. The store accumulates about 20 booths. Two booths at the entrance offer custom-designed T-shirts, stickers, key rings, and bracelets with Route 66 and Meadow Gold District logos. Other booth owners sell vintage furniture, clothing, cowboy boots, vinyl records, Oklahoma-made ice cream, and used books dedicated to the history of the Sooner State, for example, to the oil industry.
The BC Skee Pottery booth stands out with its hand-made clay cups and plates. The cups have Route 66 logo displayed on the colorful background. BC Skee informs that “it is a fourth-generation potter and ceramic artist.”
“Buffer and her husband, Keith Tiller, are a team,” the business card says. ” Keith is creative with his glazing and even makes his own. All their art is created in Oklahoma on Route 66, where they have lived for 30 years.”
Buck’s Vintage on 66 is hidden right behind Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on 66. Its Facebook page announces that the store has “such a great collection of Western wear and decor! Pearl snaps, boots, bolos, belt buckles, jewelry and more!”
Visiting the Meadow Gold District stores is a wonderful journey to explore the world of American memorabilia, crafts, and art.
For more information, visit Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curio HYPERLINK “https://buckatomson66.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooDApJ9mYYeIU-CsBs07mBIQg-I_nxT7SZXhp7S7GsnsEZT60k8”s, and Meadow Gold Mack on Route 66.
