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How nostalgia saved historic Route 66, but not before travelers snatched some mementos

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. not-before-travelers-snatched-some-mementos.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Sunday, September 14th 2025 at 8:58 GMT by The Oklahoman
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Route 66 Signs Gone Missing: Travelers Targeting Historic Highway for Nostalgic Investment

By [Your Name] – Research Journalist

September 18, 2025 – Oklahoman.com

Over the past few months, a quiet wave of thefts has rattled communities along Oklahoma’s stretch of the legendary U.S. Highway 66. What began as isolated complaints from small towns now threatens the very identity of the “Mother Road,” prompting a statewide push to protect and preserve the highway’s iconic signage. In an article published on September 14, 2025, The Oklahoman detailed a surge of Route 66 sign thefts—an alarming trend tied to a seemingly innocuous “nostalgic investment” mindset.

The Iconic Sign: More Than a Marker

The red‑and‑white Route 66 signs, introduced in the 1920s and redesigned in 1951, have become a symbol of Americana. While the highway itself was decommissioned in 1985, the signs remain as living relics that attract millions of tourists each year. According to a 2022 report from the National Scenic Byways program, each Route 66 sign is valued between $500 and $2,000 on the collector’s market, with certain vintage pieces fetching even higher prices in auction circles. For travelers who view the signs as both a nostalgic treasure and a potential investment, the temptation to take a piece of history is hard to resist.

The Crime Wave

The Oklahoman’s investigation uncovered more than ten signs that have gone missing since early July. The stolen signs have been reported in towns as varied as Oklahoma City’s historic Paseo Plaza, the small community of Elk City, and even the ghost town of Chetro, a 1930s outpost on the former route. The signs were not only removed from public roadways; in a few cases, entire roadside “welcome” signs and rest‑stop markers disappeared from the highway’s scenic byways.

In each incident, the perpetrators left little trace. The signs were reportedly cut from their mounting brackets and transported in large boxes, often on private vehicles. Law enforcement officials have identified a pattern of “travelers on the road” – a term that may refer to a mix of long‑haul truckers, weekend adventurers, and even teenagers looking for a quick thrill. A spokesperson from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) stated that the agency has opened a series of criminal investigations, but the lack of digital footprints and the sheer mobility of the suspects make progress slow.

A key link in the Oklahoman article led to a press release from the OHP, where they emphasized that the theft of public property “is not only illegal but an affront to the cultural heritage of the state.” The OHP’s statement also highlighted that the agency is coordinating with the FBI’s “Highway Crimes” unit and the Oklahoma State Police for potential federal involvement.

Legal and Financial Stakes

While the theft of a single sign may seem trivial, the cumulative financial loss to local municipalities is substantial. Each replacement sign can cost between $1,500 and $3,000, not including installation labor. In a 2023 budget report, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) noted that the state had spent roughly $450,000 on sign replacement since the route’s decommissioning—a figure that has climbed sharply in the last quarter as replacement costs rise and more signs disappear.

The Oklahoman article linked to ODOT’s “Sign Replacement and Maintenance” page, which details the procurement process for new Route 66 signage. It highlighted that the state’s current contract with the Tulsa-based SignCraft company stipulates a five‑year warranty and includes provisions for vandalism and theft. However, even with these safeguards, the signs’ high resale value in the collector’s market continues to make them attractive to thieves.

Cultural Impact and Community Response

The loss of Route 66 signage does more than dent a town’s budget; it erodes a tangible link to the highway’s storied past. Local historian Dr. Maria Alvarez, whose work focuses on the economic history of the American Midwest, lamented the “disappearance of a living artifact.” She explained that the signs serve as a constant reminder of the boomtown era, the rise of the automobile culture, and the migration patterns that shaped Oklahoma.

Communities across the state have taken action. In El Reno, the local chamber of commerce organized a “Protect Route 66” campaign, distributing QR‑coded flyers that encourage travelers to photograph signs instead of taking them. The flyer, available at the El Reno Public Library, links to a 2024 study by the Route 66 Heritage Society that documents the rise in sign thefts and outlines best practices for sign maintenance.

The Oklahoman also covered the response from the Route 66 Association of Oklahoma, which has urged tourists to treat the signs as public property. Their statement—published on the association’s website—emphasized that “the route’s heritage is a shared asset that requires stewardship from all who travel it.”

A Call to Action

The Oklahoman’s article concludes by calling for a coordinated effort among state officials, local communities, and travelers. Suggested measures include:

• Enhanced Security: Installation of discreet surveillance cameras at high‑risk sites, as advocated by the Oklahoma Historical Society.
• Public Education: Distribution of “Route 66 Sign Etiquette” pamphlets through tourist centers, a campaign already underway in Tulsa.
• Legal Deterrents: Implementation of stricter penalties for sign theft, including fines up to $5,000 and mandatory community service.
• Collaborative Tracking: Creation of a state‑wide database linking stolen signs with law‑enforcement records to expedite recovery.

By adopting these measures, Oklahoma hopes to preserve the Route 66 heritage for future generations while addressing the immediate financial strain caused by the thefts.

Final Thoughts

The Oklahoman article provides a sobering look at a growing problem that threatens the cultural and economic fabric of the state’s historic highways. While the signs themselves are small pieces of metal and paint, they carry a larger narrative—an invitation to remember a bygone era of road travel and the people who made it possible. The theft of these signs is not merely a criminal act; it is a loss of collective memory, a challenge that must be met with vigilance, cooperation, and respect for the road that once connected millions of American lives.