Illinois Office of Tourism to enter first-ever float for Tournament of Roses Parade

The Illinois Office of Tourism is making its first-ever float for the annual Tournament of Roses Parade along Route 66 on Jan. 2 in Pasadena, California. The 24-foot-tall float features nearly 30,000 flowers and took about 22,000 volunteer hours to create, according to a news release. More about the float: The Enjoy Illinois float will … Continue reading Illinois Office of Tourism to enter first-ever float for Tournament of Roses Parade

Trade Winds Inn in Clinton, best known for its Elvis Room, may be demolished

The Trade Winds Inn motel in Clinton, Oklahoma -- best known for its Elvis Room where Elvis Presley stayed during his cross-country road trips -- may be demolished with the possibility the local school district might use the property. The Clinton Daily News (subscription required) reported last week the Clinton Economic Development Authority will discuss … Continue reading Trade Winds Inn in Clinton, best known for its Elvis Room, may be demolished

Howlin’ Ray’s restaurant holds soft opening with building’s preserved Adohr Milk Farms sign

The Howlin' Ray's hot chicken restaurant in Pasadena, California, held a soft opening last week with the restored Adohr Milk Farms sign on the historic building. About two years ago, Howlin’ Ray’s hot was doing a face-lift on a building at 800 Arroyo Parkway (aka Route 66) when it uncovered an original Adohr Milk Farms … Continue reading Howlin’ Ray’s restaurant holds soft opening with building’s preserved Adohr Milk Farms sign

Eat-Rite Diner in St. Louis to reopen later this month as Fleur STL brunch restaurant

The Eat-Rite Diner near downtown St. Louis will reopen sometime in October for the first time in two years, rechristened as Fleur STL. Tim Eagan purchased the property shortly after it closed during the COVID-19 pandemic and had to do a lot of remodeling of the nearly century-old spot. Eagan also told KMOV-TV in St. … Continue reading Eat-Rite Diner in St. Louis to reopen later this month as Fleur STL brunch restaurant

Suspicious fire destroys much of El Rancho Motel in Barstow

A fire deemed as suspicious destroyed three-quarters of the historic El Rancho Motel on Tuesday night along Route 66 in Barstow, California. The three-alarm blaze forced the closing of about a quarter-mile of Main Street in the city, but no injuries were reported. The Victorville Daily Press in nearby Victorville had some details after the … Continue reading Suspicious fire destroys much of El Rancho Motel in Barstow

Second Buc-ee’s store coming near Route 66 corridor, this time in Amarillo

A second Buc-ee's convenience store near the Route 66 corridor soon will be built, this time on the east side of Amarillo, Texas. Barely three weeks ago, the city council of Springfield, Missouri, approved incentives for the construction of a Buc-ee's on the city's northeast side. That one will be open 12 to 15 months … Continue reading Second Buc-ee’s store coming near Route 66 corridor, this time in Amarillo

Tenant reopens Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena to public since renovations

The new tenant of the historic Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena, California, reopened the venue to the public Sunday after extensive renovations. The Friends of the Rialto, a group that has served as a guardian of the theater, posted this message after posting 42 (!) photos from the open house: On Sunday August 29, Mosaic … Continue reading Tenant reopens Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena to public since renovations

27th sign lights up with Tulsa’s Route 66 Neon Sign Grant Program

Por Ella Tulsa, a health and beauty store, became the 27th business to have its neon sign created or restored through the City of Tulsa's Route 66 Neon Sign Grant Program. Here's an image of the sign, courtesy of the Tulsa Route 66 Commission: Por Ella Tulsa is at 1404 E. 11th St. (aka Route … Continue reading 27th sign lights up with Tulsa’s Route 66 Neon Sign Grant Program

Vandalism, misfortunes wreak havoc on Bagdad Cafe and its owner

The California Historic Route 66 Association put out a call Monday requesting donations to Andrea Pruett, longtime owner of the Bagdad Cafe in Newberry Springs, California, after a series of personal and business setbacks in the past 18 months. Tere Frank Stamoulis, posting a call-to-action on behalf of the association in a Facebook post, and … Continue reading Vandalism, misfortunes wreak havoc on Bagdad Cafe and its owner

Yukon’s Best Flour mills named to Preservation Oklahoma’s Most Endangered Places list

The Yukon's Best Flour mills in Yukon, Oklahoma, made the list of 2021's Most Endangered Places by Preservation Oklahoma. The 2021 list hadn't been posted on Preservation Oklahoma's website as of Friday afternoon. However, a mailer by the nonprofit organization announced the annual listing. Preservation Oklahoma issues the list each year to bring awareness of … Continue reading Yukon’s Best Flour mills named to Preservation Oklahoma’s Most Endangered Places list