 Ramblings of a Route 66 Business Owner |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
Afton Station Project
It has been a busy time for us since purchasing a vintage 1930's D-X gas station on Route 66 in Afton, Oklahoma thirteen years ago. A complete restoration was necessary in order to house a collection of vintage automobiles (mostly Packards, but a few others as well), a collection of Route 66 memorabilia, and a nice accumulation of souvenirs, maps, guide books and other memorabilia for sale. Our two showrooms are now able to display about 17 vintage autos, and includes an incredible 1917 Packard Motor Coach, a true "must see". We are an unofficial "rest stop" for weary travelers, and we are always ready to visit with folks from all over the world. During the tourist season of 2013, we had approximately 7,000 visitors from every state and 18 countries who enjoyed our displays and appreciated the diversity of our merchandise for sale.
At Afton Station, my wonderful staff of volunteers and I have a great time meeting travelers and helping them enjoy what many of them call their "trip of a lifetime". The town of Afton, Oklahoma has seen better days, economically. As with so many Route 66 towns, the decommissioning of Route 66 and the bypassing by the Interstate didn't do its commercial life any favors. Although there are plenty of photogenic remnants of old buildings from Afton's heyday, other than the farm co-op, a convenience store, and a new barbecue restaurant, there's not much left of the town. Yet the town survives, about 800 people still live there, and all of those we've met are friendly and supportive of our project.
I moved to Oklahoma permanently in May of 2002, and am extremely happy with my life on Route 66. With the help of many dear friends from the area, as well as my supportive fellow Route 66 "roadies" from all over the country, I'm finding myself totally immersed in life on the Mother Road. My biggest dilemma is deciding whether it's more fun to travel constantly up and down Route 66, meeting new people and discovering new wonders, or staying at Afton Station and playing host to the friendly folks who drop in to chat. Tough choice, since both are equally appealing!! My regular business hours during “tourist season” (approximately March through November) are 7 days a week, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. It wouldn’t hurt for you to call in advance just to make sure we are there, since you never know what could cause an unplanned closing. The phone numbers are (Laurel) 918-382-9465 or 918-284-3829 and (Afton Station) 918-257-4044. We are also able to open extended hours if arrangements are made in advance. We have plenty of parking for larger groups. We have a suggested donation of $2 per person, children free. Please come see us! ---Laurel Richards Kane Ramblings from a Route 66 Business Owner -- Daily observations from me about what it's like to be the owner of Afton Station (Afton, OK), a small private visitors' center, vintage car museum, and Route 66 memorabilia collection in an old gas station on the Route.
The famous 9-foot alignment of Route 66 remains in good shape just a mile from downtown Afton. The renowned Buffalo Ranch recently succumbed to the wrecking ball, making way for a new convenience plaza. Relics (such as signs, trinkets, etc.) have been given to Afton Station and are on display there now.
Motels and The Mother Road | Route 66 | What's on the back?  Email Laurel Here Copyright 1999-2014 PostcardsFromTheRoad.Net Design by Village Fair/Arkansas Online Marketing Services, LLC |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
