Crossroads of America: Oklahoma's Route 66 documentary airs on OETA

About this event

Crossroads of America: Oklahoma’s Route 66 will air on OETA on Saturday, August 29, at 4 p.m. The Oklahoma Historical Society, in collaboration with Director Bryan Beasley, producers Jon and Jaime Roman, and with support from the Inasmuch Foundation, has produced Crossroads of America: Oklahoma’s Route 66. This documentary examines the evolution of Route 66 in Oklahoma, from the hardships of the Dust Bowl era to post-WWII road trips. Crossroads of America: Oklahoma’s Route 66 reveals why Oklahoma is the heart of the Mother Road, weaving together the rich history of America’s most iconic highway with the inspiring stories of the people who continue to live, dream, and shape Route 66’s next 100 years. As Route 66 approaches its 100th anniversary, Crossroads of America: Oklahoma’s Route 66 tells the remarkable story of how Oklahoma helped shape America’s most iconic highway, and how the Mother Road, in turn, helped shape America itself. From Cy Avery’s vision that placed Oklahoma at the heart of Route 66 to the families who traveled west in search of opportunity, the highway has always been more than a road. It became a pathway to the American Dream, carrying Dust Bowl migrants toward new beginnings, fueling generations of small-town entrepreneurs, and welcoming post-war travelers in search of adventure, freedom, and possibility. The film also celebrates Oklahoma legends whose stories became inseparable from Route 66. Will Rogers embodied the humor, optimism, and spirit of the open road, while Woody Guthrie gave voice to those chasing a better life along it. Their legacies, like the highway itself, helped define the American experience. Blending rich history with deeply personal stories, Crossroads of America follows the people who continue to live, work, and dream along Route 66 today. From restaurateurs and artists to preservationists and community leaders, they are not only protecting the Mother Road’s remarkable legacy—they are shaping its next 100…