A fire broke out Friday morning at The Curve Inn, heavily damaging the 90-year-old tavern just off Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois. The Springfield State-Journal Register, speaking with Assistant Fire Chief Julie Plunk, reported that crews "encountered heavy fire and smoke in the bar and restaurant beer garden, along with a partial roof collapse." A … Continue reading Fire heavily damages historic Curve Inn tavern in Springfield
Category: Businesses
Mary Beth Babcock named grand marshal of 100th edition of Tulsa Christmas Parade
Prominent Route 66 advocate Mary Beth Babcock last week was named the grand marshal of the centennial edition of the Tulsa Christmas Parade. Organizers sprung the announcement on her at her Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66 shop. More from the big surprise: TulsaPeople magazine also covered the reveal. This year's parade will be on … Continue reading Mary Beth Babcock named grand marshal of 100th edition of Tulsa Christmas Parade
S&H Green Stamps launches Official Route 66 Centennial Celebration Project
S&H Green Stamps launched an official Route 66 Centennial Celebration Project, bringing together two icons of Americana in a case of nostalgia meeting nostalgia. S&H Green Stamps were a staple along Route 66 during its heyday, with many businesses offering them as a reward for loyal customers. “S&H Green Stamps and Route 66 are two … Continue reading S&H Green Stamps launches Official Route 66 Centennial Celebration Project
19 Route 66 Preservation & Economic Development Grants announced
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership recently announced the awarding of 19 grants totaling more than $40,000 to Route 66 businesses and attractions. Each recipient receives $2,125 from the Route 66 Preservation & Economic Development Grant Program. These are the recipients: VFW Post 6306 on Route 66 in Topock, Arizona, will commission the painting of … Continue reading 19 Route 66 Preservation & Economic Development Grants announced
Nott’s Grocery in Miami to close later this month after more than 100 years
The family-owned Nott's Grocery store in Miami, Oklahoma, is closing later this month after operating along a path for more than a century that became Route 66. Nott's opened at 604 S. Main St. (aka Route 66) in 1919, several years before U.S. 66 was certified. Operated by Jim and Susan Nott since 1985, his … Continue reading Nott’s Grocery in Miami to close later this month after more than 100 years
225-foot-long Route 66 centennial mural completed in Arcadia
The owners of The Windmill Shops along Route 66 in Arcadia, Oklahoma, recently realized their dream of having a massive mural on their building for westbound Route 66 travelers. Danny and Vi Davis, who built the shops about 20 years ago, decided to commission a Route 66 centennial mural on the 225-foot-long wall of the … Continue reading 225-foot-long Route 66 centennial mural completed in Arcadia
New soda commermorates Route 66 centennial in Oklahoma
Oklahoma now boasts a soda that commemorates Route 66's centennial this year. Okola-homa Soda Co. and the Oklahoma Route 66 Association announced this month the launch of a Route 66 “Centennial Edition” anniversary collectable can. The company anticipates it will soon be available in locations across the Sooner State. The company is shipping 12-ounce six-packs … Continue reading New soda commermorates Route 66 centennial in Oklahoma
Texas Monthly reports on the long, strange trip that led to the Glenrio Smoke Stop
Texas Monthly this month published a nuanced, well-researched article about Glenrio, the Route 66 ghost town, and the Glenrio Smoke Stop dispensary that sprang up there a few years ago. The story begins with how future Glenrio Smoke Stop principal Gabi Tuschak, an Austin hypnotherapist, matched on a dating app with Erik Spain, a divorced … Continue reading Texas Monthly reports on the long, strange trip that led to the Glenrio Smoke Stop
New Decopolis store in Tulsa installs huge “Tulsa 66” sign
Decopolis, a gift shop "where science and magic meet adventure," recently installed a large, Art Deco-inspired "Tuisa 66" sign in front of its second location on the city's east side. Here's a look at the 30-by-30-foot sign, which will feature neon lighting that will be installed later. More images from the sign's installation: Decopolis owner … Continue reading New Decopolis store in Tulsa installs huge “Tulsa 66” sign
Family acquires 120-year-old Parks general store
A family has taken over ownership of the more than century-old general store along Route 66 in Parks, Arizona. Rechristened as The Old Route 66 Parks Store, the circa-1906 establishment at 12963 Old Route 66 was previously known as the Parks in the Pines Store & Deli. KTVK/KPHO in Phoenix reports that Paul and Veronica … Continue reading Family acquires 120-year-old Parks general store