Oklahoma Historical Society route 66 mobile tour stop list

              State Historic Preservation Office
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OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY ROUTE 66
MOBILE TOUR STOP LIST
Stop #1, Coleman Theater, 103 North Main, Miami
The Coleman Theater was designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival architectural style, characterized by the
outstanding twin bell towers on the south side, the unique spire-like bell tower in the center, and the ornately
designed curvilinear gables on the façade. Additional Spanish Colonial Revival elements include the elaborately designed
parapet walls, enriched cornice window heads, buff-colored stucco finish, and a red-tiled gabled roof on the western half. It
continues to be one of the most impressive landmarks for Route 66 travelers. George L. Coleman, Sr., a mining magnate in
northeast Oklahoma, constructed the elaborate theater for an estimated $600,000. It opened its doors on April 18, 1929, to a
capacity crowd of 1600 people. Billed as the most opulent theater between Dallas and Kansas City, the Coleman opened
during an era considered by Hollywood historians to be a watershed in movie theater history. It was a time when vaudeville
was declining and talking motion pictures were on the rise. The Coleman was the only theater outside Oklahoma City and
Tulsa that was a member of the prestigious Orpheum Circuit of Vaudeville Theaters. While vaudeville troops continued to
appear on its massive stage, the owners also presented talking motion pictures from the very inception of the technology.
Thanks to the dedication of local Miami citizens, the Coleman has undergone an extensive rehabilitation and continues to
serve the community and the state as an important entertainment venue.
Stop #2, Miami Downtown Historic District, roughly bounded by 100 block of North
Main, and the zero blocks of South Main, Central Avenue, & Southeast "A" Street,
Miami
The Miami Downtown Historic District is the community's historic commercial core. It consists primarily of the
buildings along Main Street, the alignment of Route 66, with a few located on side streets. Most of the buildings in
the district were constructed between 1902 and 1958 and were designed in the Commercial style of architecture with a few
examples of Art Deco and other styles. In the mid-1960s, an urban renewal project resulted in the demolition of numerous
buildings along "A" Streets East and West to provide parking lots. Also at that time, the original configuration of Main Street
was altered to allow diagonal parking and a serpentine traffic flow pattern; it was anticipated that the new design would
encourage consumers to continue making downtown Miami their shopping destination. However, these changes did not have
the desired effect, and the traditional pattern of Main Street was recently restored. Twenty-nine buildings, including the
magnificent Coleman Theater, contribute to the character of the district.
Stop #3, Miami Marathon Oil Company Service Station, 331 South Main, Miami
Located on a prominent corner of Main Street, the Miami Marathon Oil Company Service Station was built in 1929
to serve local customers and Route 66 travelers. This one-story station is an example of the house with canopy
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