Exciting news on the revamp of The Skyliner Motel on Route 66, Stroud Oklahoma-

I had the pleasure of staying at the classic Skyliner Motel in Stroud Oklahoma shortly before its closure in late 2024 / early 2025—I was sad to hear about the previous owner, Lady A passing away which forced its closure. She was extremely kind and hospitable. Thankfully, two eager local guys purchased the property and are actively renovating it. The classic neon sign has already been restored. Charles anticipates rooms being available in January 2026, just in time for the Route 66 centennial! I will let Charles Palmer take it from here!!

About Us-

My name is Charles Palmer, and together with my business partner Cody Paige, we purchased the Skyliner Motel. The backbone of everything I am is my wife, Melissa. We’ve been married for 25 years, and she has always supported me in every business venture. Her father owned multiple motels, so we already had a good understanding of what to expect in this industry. Over the years, we’ve owned several car washes across Oklahoma, a trucking company, rental properties, and even did contracting work building houses.

I am currently selling out of the car wash business and serve as Facility Director for Hillcrest Hospitals in Cushing and Henryetta, Oklahoma. Melissa is an R.N. and the Quality/Risk Manager at Stroud’s local hospital. I also serve as a Stroud Industrial Authority board member, a Route 66 Centennial Commissioner, and have been a Stroud firefighter for 11 years.

We have three children—one daughter and two sons—along with wonderful daughters-in-law. Together, they’ve blessed us with six grandchildren, who we hope will carry on our legacy. We’ve lived in Stroud for 15 years and have no intention of leaving.

Cody & Terra-

Cody and his wife, Terra, are lifelong residents of Stroud. They have one daughter, P.K., whom we proudly count among our grandchildren—she is truly awesome! Cody began his career as a full-time firefighter before moving into cyber security for the federal government. Terra is also an R.N. and serves as Quality/Risk Assistant at our local hospital.

How the Vision Began-

Our vision for the Skyliner started almost as a joke. I owned the car wash next door for years and was always amazed by the traffic and attention the Skyliner received. People constantly stopped to take photos of the motel, while I wondered how to draw the same interest to the car wash. I even built an old car hood awning, which attracted some attention, but nothing compared to the iconic Skyliner.

My fascination with Route 66 grew, and after speaking at a local event, I was honored to be appointed by the Lt. Governor as a commissioner for the Route 66 Centennial Commission. That opportunity fueled my passion to help revitalize our downtown economy and showcase all that Stroud has to offer.

One evening over dinner with Cody and Terra, I said, “We need to buy the Skyliner!” Cody, in his usual joking way, brushed it off. But a few days later, he asked if I was serious. I told him I was—and that I needed his youth and drive. Cody has always been like a son to me. Over the years, he listened to my advice during fire calls, worked with me at the hospital, and grew into a successful businessman himself. His energy and determination made him the perfect partner for this project.

Purchasing & Restoring the Skyliner-

After many conversations, we decided to make an offer. The previous owner, affectionately known as “Lady A,” had passed away, but I had a strong relationship with her and her husband. Ultimately, he agreed to sell to us.

Once the purchase was complete, we hit the ground running. Initially, we didn’t plan to gut the motel, but with my construction background, I knew we needed to rebuild from the bones up. We installed new electrical and plumbing systems, gutted the office/apartment area, and expanded it into a history center for Route 66 and Stroud. We’re also creating a commons area for guests, complete with games and RFID vending for memorabilia.

The Skyliner will be an AirBnb style motel, with a QR code to enter provided with each reservation.

Community Connection-

Our goal is not just to restore the Skyliner but to promote Stroud and its businesses. We’re developing books for each room that share the stories of local businesses—their “why,” their history, and their connection to Stroud. We’re collaborating with the iconic Rock Café to encourage visitors to explore Main Street and beyond.

With nearly 50 neon signs now illuminating our Route 66 corridor, we hope to make Stroud a destination for travelers. Cody and I often talk about turning negatives into positives and using our strengths to create memorable experiences for both locals and visitors.

The community has embraced our vision. Everywhere we go, people thank us for investing in Stroud. We believe this project will help bring back a thriving downtown and strengthen the community we are proud to serve.