There’s no clearer contrast between the charms of the old road and the anonymity of the Interstate than tiny Hydro, midway between Clinton and Oklahoma City on the west bank of the Canadian River. A wonderful length of old Route 66 runs along the north side of I-40 exit 89, right past the ancient service station and souvenir stand operated by Lucille Hammons from 1941 until her death, at age 85, in August 2000. Though it’s just 50 yards from the fast lane of the freeway, visiting Lucille’s place to buy a soda or a postcard and have a quick hello with the energetic proprietor was a Route 66 rite of passage.
West of Lucille’s, a surviving six-mile stretch of old Route 66 pavement follows the lay of the land up and down, offering a better sense of the landscape than does the faster but duller new road, completed in 1966.
