The neon sign for the long-closed Road Runner's Retreat truck stop near Chambless, California, glowed again Saturday night for the first time in about 50 years. Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route Association, was one of the people with his camera at the relighting ceremony: Here's a reel that shows the sign's animation of … Continue reading Road Runner’s Retreat neon sign glows again for the first time in a half-century
Illinois State Museum unveils 100 oral histories about Route 66
The Illinois State Museum in Springfield announced the launch of the online Route 66 Oral History Project, which gathered 100 stories about the history of the Mother Road before its centennial in 2026. The database includes video-recorded interviews, as well as world-searchable written transcriptions. Contributors include people who lived, worked and traveled along Route 66 … Continue reading Illinois State Museum unveils 100 oral histories about Route 66
Historic La Posada de Santa Fe hotel listed for sale
The more than century-old La Posada de Santa Fe hotel in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico, has been listed for sale. The property, which dates to the 1880s, is being listed by Hunter Hotel Advisors. Albuquerque Business First got the scoop on the story. The online listing didn't publicly list an asking price. But the … Continue reading Historic La Posada de Santa Fe hotel listed for sale
Route 66 designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark
The American Society of Civil Engineers recently designated Route 66 as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. ASCE's board approved the designation on July 10 in recognition of the highway's centennial and its lasting contributions to American infrastructure and civil engineering. Initially established in 1926, Route 66 was the first paved, all-weather highway to connect the Midwest with … Continue reading Route 66 designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark
Storm-damaged Meramac Caverns barn near Chandler is restored
A small barn along Route 66 near Chandler, Oklahoma, that was damaged by a storm 2 1/2 years ago recently was restored. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association reported that the barn's roof and half of its mural were torn off during a windstorm in April 2023, putting it at risk of demolition. The Association sprang … Continue reading Storm-damaged Meramac Caverns barn near Chandler is restored
Google Arts & Culture Route 66 Storytelling Hub goes live
The Google Arts & Culture Route 66 Storytelling Hub was recently designated as an official Route 66 Centennial Project sanctioned by the Route 66 Centennial Commission. This new digital experience brings the history, culture and communities of America’s Mother Road to life through immersive storytelling, photographs and archival materials. Here's a video about the online project: https://youtu.be/XjCyd4RSWQA?si=FBSW8-bnMk5QbBOd Here … Continue reading Google Arts & Culture Route 66 Storytelling Hub goes live
Museum of Northern Arizona soon will open an exhibit on the history of Route 66 in state
The Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff will open a Route 66 exhibit that runs from Nov. 16 to Oct. 26, 2026. The Arizona Daily Sun reported: Called “Wagon Road to Mother Road,” the exhibit looks at the way travel has affected landscapes and communities in northern Arizona, from the Beale Wagon Road to Route … Continue reading Museum of Northern Arizona soon will open an exhibit on the history of Route 66 in state
New Illinois highway map commemorates Route 66 centennial in 2026
The Illinois Department of Transportation recently announced the release of the new Illinois Official Highway Map that commemorates next year’s 100th anniversary of Route 66 with updates that better represent the alignment of the historic road. The Pontiac (Illinois) Daily Leader reported: The Illinois Department of Transportation said the map includes updated listings for colleges and … Continue reading New Illinois highway map commemorates Route 66 centennial in 2026
Sapulpa’s downtown parking plan threatens several historic buildings
A consultant for the city of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, has proposed tearing down five historic buildings in the downtown area to address parking concerns. The plan comes in the wake of a survey of residents by Planning Consultant Scott Bruce, which focused on a lack of parking on Dewey Avenue (aka Route 66) and easy access … Continue reading Sapulpa’s downtown parking plan threatens several historic buildings
Auction of Museum Club’s contents canceled, will be included in asking price of property
An auction scheduled for Nov. 8 for the contents of the historic Museum Club in Flagstaff, Arizona, was abruptly canceled on Friday, and it appears those will be included with the asking price of the property. The Arizona Daily Sun reported on Friday about the auction's cancellation, but had few other details. The Museum Club's … Continue reading Auction of Museum Club’s contents canceled, will be included in asking price of property