Lucille's Station
Mother of the Mother Road
Lucille Hamons earned her legendary nickname through nearly six decades of heartfelt hospitality along Route 66 in Hydro, Oklahoma. Travelers came to know her for warm welcomes, delicious food, and what were famously the “coldest drinks in the state of Oklahoma.”
Lucille and her husband Carl operated their establishment—originally called Provine Station—starting in the 1940s. Built in the Bungalow Craftsman style, the station featured distinctive elements like tapered columns, an open service bay, and vintage gas pumps. Like many businesses of the era, the Hamons family lived upstairs with their three children, creating a personal and inviting atmosphere for weary motorists.
Today, Lucille’s station stands as a lasting tribute to a bygone era and the spirit of America’s most iconic highway.
Route 66 Bridge monument
The Road Lives On: Hydro’s Tribute to Route 66
Just west of Lucille’s Historic Service Station in Hydro, Oklahoma, an old single-truss pony bridge once carried Route 66 traffic from the 1930s until it was retired around 2006. Usually, that would mean the end for a bridge like this—but not this time. Local resident Allen Entz stepped in and offered to take it, unsure exactly what he’d do with it, but knowing it was too important to let go.
The bridge sat on the Entz family’s land for nearly 20 years, waiting for the right moment. And now, with the 2026 Route 66 Centennial on the horizon, it’s finally getting a new life. The Town of Hydro, working with the Project 66 Commission and other partners, came up with a plan to build a roadside park that would showcase the bridge and give travelers a reason to stop and explore the town.
The park will be built at the four-way stop at Hydro’s entrance—on land donated by the Entz family—and will serve as both a tribute to the old bridge and a welcoming spot for visitors. The project also includes updates to the Hydro Community Building and a fun new Cow Food Vending Machine nearby.
On February 6, 2025, local leaders, members of the Entz family, and folks from the Project 66 Commission gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony. With shovels in hand, they officially kicked off the project, which is set to be ready in time for the big Centennial celebration. When 2026 rolls around, Hydro will be ready to welcome travelers from around the world back to the Mother Road.