The city’s progressive wing gave the boot to a proposed sculpture.
A planned sculpture titled “Kicks 66” by local artist Cameron Eagle was set to be placed along a stretch of Classen Boulevard in the middle of the city’s Asian District. The 35-foot-tall neon red boot was meant to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Route 66. But for some, its placement in the center of the city’s historic Asian community was insensitive, or at least puzzling.
A social media campaign and a demonstration at the city’s art commission led to a vote to relocate the boot. Oklahoma City has a rich tradition of demolishing buildings and structures of historical importance. This was a first in removing such a structure before it was ever built.
The planned placement in the Asian District was odd. Not only does the city already have numerous communities where historic Western culture is more appropriately celebrated, but the sculpture also features a giant green cactus, which is hardly synonymous with Oklahoma City.
This article appears in Fall Guide 2025.