The Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City is opening its "The Longest Stretch: Route 66 in Oklahoma" exhibit on Saturday. Here's what the Oklahoma Historical Society, which runs the center, stated about the exhibit: Oklahoma proudly claims the longest drivable stretch of Route 66 in the nation, spanning more than 400 miles. This legendary highway … Continue reading Oklahoma History Center opening its Route 66 exhibit on Saturday
Category: Preservation
Relighting ceremony for West Winds Motel sign in Erick set for Friday night
A relighting ceremony for the restored West Winds Motel neon sign in Erick, Oklahoma, is scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday, May 22. The sign has been lighted nightly since it was rejuvenated and reinstalled several weeks ago. The relighting serves as more of a celebration: More from KECO radio: The lighting ceremony will begin at … Continue reading Relighting ceremony for West Winds Motel sign in Erick set for Friday night
Son of Bottle Tree Ranch’s founder is struggling to preserve the Route 66 landmark
The son of the founder of Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch along Route 66 near Oro Grande, California, is "miserable" and struggling to maintain the site in the wake of his father's death. Elliott Long became the caretaker of the Route 66 landmark after its creator and his father, Elmer Long, died of cancer at age … Continue reading Son of Bottle Tree Ranch’s founder is struggling to preserve the Route 66 landmark
Firehouse 66 project in Clinton awarded a $650,000 Route 66 grant
The so-called Firehouse 66 project, planned for a historic fire station in Clinton, Oklahoma, recently received $656,928 through the Route 66 Revitalization Grant Program. According to the Clinton Daily News (subscription required), project architect Andrew Stone described what he wanted to do with the Works Progress Administration building. “It’s basically restoring the service of the … Continue reading Firehouse 66 project in Clinton awarded a $650,000 Route 66 grant
“The mOTHER Road: Stories of the African American Experience on Route 66” to open next month
Missouri State University's new exhibit, titled "The mOTHER Road: Stories of the African American Experience on Route 66," will open June 3 at the Benton Avenue AME Church in Springfield, Missouri. The exhibit will be up through Aug. 29. The renovated church, located on the Drury University campus, is at 830 N. Benton Ave. (Google Maps … Continue reading “The mOTHER Road: Stories of the African American Experience on Route 66” to open next month
Big Boy locomotive to make several stops in Route 66 towns in Illinois, Missouri in July
The legendary Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 steam locomotive is scheduled to make stops or pass through several Route 66 towns in Illinois and Missouri in mid-July. According to Big Boy's schedule, it will pass through or stop at these Route 66 municipalities: July 18, depart at 8:15 a.m. from Bloomington, Illinois (no public … Continue reading Big Boy locomotive to make several stops in Route 66 towns in Illinois, Missouri in July
Connie Echols, recent former owner of the Wagon Wheel Motel, dies
Connie Echols, the recent former owner of the Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Missouri, died Saturday, just weeks after she sold the Route 66 landmark. The motel's new owner, Rich Dinkela, announced her death on Sunday. If you’ve ever traveled Route 66, you know the Wagon Wheel isn’t just a place to stay—it’s a place … Continue reading Connie Echols, recent former owner of the Wagon Wheel Motel, dies
Route 66 has a humongous weekend
This past weekend was a huge one for Route 66 -- not just in Springfield, Missouri, but also in Williams, Arizona; Kingman, Arizona; Seligman, Arizona; and Joliet, Illinois. The events came 100 years after officials in Springfield sent a telegram to the federal government, stating they were receptive to the No. 66 for their Chicago-to-Los … Continue reading Route 66 has a humongous weekend
Petrified Forest National Park completes improvements near its southern entrance
The Petrified Forest National Park in northeast Arizona recently finished upgrades to facilities near the park's southern entrance, just off U.S. 180 southeast of Holbrook. According to the Arizona Daily Sun, changes to Rainbow Forest Complex include new restroom facilities outside of the Rainbow Forest Museum and a demonstration fossil preparation laboratory in the museum. … Continue reading Petrified Forest National Park completes improvements near its southern entrance
More details released on grand opening of Blue Whale Visitor Center, Blue Whale Run on May 30
The City of Catoosa, Oklahoma, will host the grand opening of the new Blue Whale Visitor Center and the inaugural Blue Whale Run on May 30 at the Blue Whale of Catoosa. The revamped Blue Whale site still is under construction, including this view of the new visitor center and the unchanged Blue Whale itself. … Continue reading More details released on grand opening of Blue Whale Visitor Center, Blue Whale Run on May 30