Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza — Attraction in Tulsa

This location is listed on the National Historic Register and is the Plaza to the Founder of and who is known as the 'Father of Route 66' its the Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza, that holds 2 Bronze Sculptures in his Memory along with Flags flying high to represent the 8 States Route 66 runs through. It seems there used to be plaques on each podium that sits in front of each flag but they have been removed. This is located on what was the Original Route 66 that ran over the Arkansas River known as 11th Street Bridge, which has now been closed and renamed 'The Cyrus Avery Route 66 Memorial Bridge' in his honor. The bronze sculptures represent 'East meets West' and includes bronze sculptures of Cyrus Avery, his wife, daughter and the family dog. This Plaza offers a beautiful view of the Arkansas River. There's parking available up top the hill with a crosswalk bridge that allows you to get to the Plaza side with stairs. If someone is disabled or unable to go through the crosswalk then one can be dropped off curbside. There is NO ELEVATOR that'll take to the Plaza side. On the South end of the Plaza sits a Park that can be used for a Picnic or to get in a morning run, or just a stroll in the Park. The Park is pleasantly beautiful with many foliage trees (depending on season)and ducks are seen in the water. On the East end of the Park are Condominiums and Apartments that house local Residents from Oklahoma State University Center of Health Sciences. On the North end of the Plaza just behind the Flag poles is a Bicycle and Walking pathway trail that is fairly new and runs right by the Arkansas River. This Walkway is located underneath the Cyrus Avery Memorial Bridge. The work they put into creating these massive bronze sculptures is impeccable. This is surely a Historic location one should go see if ever in Tulsa, Oklahoma. How can one not, this is the reason there's a Route 66 to begin with it might be history but for Cyrus Avery his Legacy WILL live...

It was a nice 'quick' visit while driving through Tulsa. It gave us a chance to walk around, stretch, and read the interpretive signs about Route 66. You can see it all in a few minutes, snap a picture on the bridge, and hurry along, or take more time to read and look. Park at the large, free lot on top of a nearby small hill off South Lawton Ave. and walk across the pedestrian bridge to the monument, river trail and the original bridge.

We spent about half an hour looking and walking around, and that was plenty of time. The pedestrian overpass over Route 66 is interesting for smalls kids and adults. The park connects to the River Parks East trail system that runs along the river if you have bikes, scooters or skateboards, or wish to walk further.

An original traffic bridge, the Cyrus Avery bridge over the Arkansas River is now replaced by a more modern freeway bridge, but it is still preserved place and visible, and you can walk up to the edge of it to look it over. It was the original Route 66 bridge at...

It's like stepping back in time you can imagine your self being there the artists that constructed these pieces really did a great job and the planning division of Parks and Recreation department in Tulsa OK couldn't have placed them in a better location. I have only one suggestion ; perhaps the artists might be interested in doing another period piece figuring The Greatest Show On Earth animal walk that used to take place when the Ringling Bros. B&B Circus would come to town and the animals would walk across the old bridge, now that was...