POPS BREAKS GROUND IN AN UNUSUAL WAY ON ROUTE 66
Landmark Architecture Behind Unique
Filling Station Design with Soda Pop Theme
POPS Gives Oklahoma a New
Destination Adventure Along Route 66
For Immediate Release
May 4, 2006
The Mother Road is a narrow, two-lane stretch some 2500 miles long, crossing eight states and three time zones. It evokes a sense of American freedom and independence, as drivers make their way from Chicago to Santa Monica, California. Historic Route 66 cuts across Oklahoma, entering the state’s northeast corner at Quapaw and exiting on the southwest corner at Texola. Halfway through its journey through the Sooner State, it meanders through the picturesque town of Arcadia, population 279. Travelers often stop at Arcadia to marvel at the Round Barn and to pause where Washington Irving explored during his travels. Now, there is another reason to stop in Arcadia: POPS, a new destination on Route 66 that will join the many great landmarks on “America’s Main Street”!
“The landmark architecture behind the creation of POPS reflects the hope and enthusiasm for Route 66’s future role in our country and represents the spirit and individuality that made Route 66 the adventure highway many enthusiasts enjoy today,” explained award-winning Oklahoma architect, Rand Elliott, who conceived the concept. “POPS’ essence is the spirit of Route 66 in today’s language. The key to POPS is that visitors experience the past and leave with the sense they have discovered a new destination and adventure along the way. POPS’ role as a gas station, restaurant/soda fountain and store represent a homage to the past, present and future of Route 66.”
The architectural technology evokes optimism with an eye toward the new roles the legendary highway will play in the future. Travelers will have a sensational “Route 66 Experience” at POPS.
The massive stonewalls made from Oklahoma red rock will reach out 153 feet into a grove of 66 Oklahoma Redbud trees. The site is embedded in the majestic colors and texture of the groves of trees at the world class Deep Fork Tree Farm. The site will allow visitors to enjoy the harmony of the seasons. The unique roofline manifests the hope for the future and the 110-foot cantilevered steel beams stretching unsupported across the front of the building symbolize respect for the steel bridges found along Route 66.
Visitors will admire the beauty of the adjacent tree farm while enjoying a burger, shake and much more at the full-service grill and fountain. The world’s largest soda pop bottle will stand in front of the building. The bottle will be illuminated using LED lighting at night and will accentuate the soda pop theme presented throughout the building, which will be home to over 12,000 soda pop bottles.
“There is definitely something new on the horizon,” says Michael Wallis, best-selling author of Route 66: The Mother Road. “POPS will bring an excitement and energy back to the Mother Road, renewing interest in the most picturesque and romantic road in America’s history.” Wallis was the Master of Ceremonies for today’s groundbreaking event, and is delighted to be promoting the newest addition to Route 66. Wallis has gained national acclaim as a speaker and voice talent, and June 3rd, his voice will be heard as one of the main characters in the worldwide premiere of CARS, an animated feature film from Pixar Studios set along Route 66.
“We are delighted to be sharing the exciting news about POPS today,” said Marilyn Murrell, mayor of Arcadia. “POPS will mean a lot to our community, and it will give us a major attraction when word begins to spread once it opens next year. It will be a beautiful addition to Route 66 and we are very grateful our community will be home to POPS. Since POPS is a short five minutes from Interstate 35, it will attract many people to our community. Let me say, as Mayor, we will appreciate the sales tax POPS will generate for our town, too.”
“The mystique of Route 66 remains strong even today, captivating people from around the world,” said Aubrey K. McClendon, Chairman and CEO of Chesapeake Energy and POPS owner. “Arcadia is an unpolished gem on Route 66 and it still reflects the wonderful charm of the old-road landscape. While diners, cafes, motels and gas stations represent many of the bona fide Route 66 landmarks, POPS will add a new dimension to the lure of the Mother Road by blending the character of the past with a promise of a bright future for the historic highway.”
McClendon continued, “We want to the thank Mayor Murrell and Arcadia city officials as well as Arcadia residents for embracing this project and working with us to make this day possible. We look forward to returning to this spot next fall to celebrate the grand opening of POPS when we will unveil America’s largest collection of soda pop bottles at Route 66’s newest destination adventure: POPS, at the corner of Route 66 and Westminster in Arcadia, Oklahoma.”
Elliott, who also designed the now famous Route 66 Museum in Clinton, Oklahoma, said POPS was one of his most challenging and exciting projects to-date. “I have a great affinity for the historic time-line of Route 66 and how one of our country’s first transcontinental highways became, as some have described, the ‘Main Street of America’ during its heyday. Even though the government decommissioned the old road in 1984 and designated it the historic Route 66 when the last stretch of interstate freeway was completed, Route 66 has many miles still to travel with generations to come. POPS represents an exclamation mark of an exciting future for ‘today’s’ Route 66.”
Oklahoma City based Smith & Pickle Construction is the general contractor for the project.
###
Contact:
Jennifer Eve (405) 620-6379
John Cox (405) 255-8117