And so it begins. The day we have all been waiting for. The Chrysler Tower is coming down one letter at a time. For the community's safety, the city council approved the closure of Ninth Street while the work is being done. On Monday morning, the 79 year old, 100-foot-tall neon advertising sign that was built in 1949 for the Beard Motor Company started coming down. It has been dark for decades.The sign went dark after the Beard Motor Company closed, with its neon lights ceasing to shine in the 1950s after the toll road from Tulsa opened. One 7-10 inch piece of the original neon glass was still attached to the tower after almost 70 years. The top half of the sign weighed 5,000 pounds.
The tower is undergoing a major restoration and relocation project. This $1 million project is funded through city resources, private donations, and a $700,000 Route 66 revitalization grant program and a lot of hard work from the members of the Bristow Historical Society who is leading the effort to preserve this historical landmark.
The restored tower will be moved from its current location to a new plaza on Bristow's Main Street, placing it front and center on Route 66. The new home for the sign is on the corner of 9th and Main. A great location for all visitors who travel Route 66. The sign will come to life with a park like setting to showcase the sign. Bristow News will follow the progress of the sign as this incredible journey begins.
The project is expected to be completed in the spring or summer of 2026.