Earlier this month, the neon sign for the defunct Hi-Line Motel in Ash Fork, Arizona, was taken down so it can be restored and reinstalled. The Ash Fork Route 66 Historical Museum posted photos and video on Facebook of the sign being taken down by the restoration team. No timeline was given for the sign … Continue reading Neon sign for defunct Hi-Line Motel in Ash Fork is undergoing restoration
CBS Sunday Morning produces a short feature on Route 66
On Sunday, the "CBS Sunday Morning" program produced a 6 1/2-minute feature about Route 66 during its centennial year. The segment includes archived footage from CBS, including Charles Kuralt at Cadillac Ranch during the 1970s, Blue Swallow Motel owner Lillian Redman in 1993 and Angel Delgadillo in 1989. It has new footage, too, of "Route … Continue reading CBS Sunday Morning produces a short feature on Route 66
“Kicks 66” sculpture dedicated near National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City
The 35-foot-tall "Kicks 66" illuminated sculpture near the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City was dedicated on Thursday. The artwork, designed by Cameron Eagle, pays tribute to Bobby Troup's iconic song “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" and Route 66's centennial this year. Eagle also designed the “Welcome to Luther” neon sign along Route … Continue reading “Kicks 66” sculpture dedicated near National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City
Asleep At the Wheel announces Route 66 Centennial Tour
The iconic western swing band Asleep At the Wheel this week announced a Route 66 Centennial Tour in August and September, where it will perform at selected Route 66 cities. "Come Get Your Kicks on Route 66!" the band stated on its Facebook page. Here is the list of dates, cities and venues: Aug. 20: … Continue reading Asleep At the Wheel announces Route 66 Centennial Tour
World’s first Dairy Queen in Joliet to be resurrected as a Route 66 landmark
The very first Dairy Queen restaurant, located in Joliet, Illinois, is being resurrected as a Route 66 landmark. According to WGN-TV, the Joliet Area Historical Museum, which acquired the building in 2023, is leading the project along with the city. Dairy Queen is providing historical and archival documents for the project. J.C. McCullough and Sherb … Continue reading World’s first Dairy Queen in Joliet to be resurrected as a Route 66 landmark
Route 66 Centennial Drone Show to light downtown Joliet’s new City Square
Downtown Joliet, Illinois, will host a Route 66 Centennial Drone Show on Friday as part of the statewide commemoration of Route 66's centennial. Produced by Sky Elements Drone Shows in partnership with the Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission and the Illinois Office of Tourism, the display will feature 400 drones lighting up the night sky with Route 66 animations and Joliet imagery. … Continue reading Route 66 Centennial Drone Show to light downtown Joliet’s new City Square
Texas Old Route 66 Association announces first batch of small business outdoor beautification matching grants
The Texas Old Route 66 Association recently announced its inaugural group of recipients of its Small Business Outdoor Beautification Matching Micro-Grant Program. Five businesses along Texas Route 66 were given $500 gatching grants for exterior improvements, beautification projects, signage, restoration efforts and visitor experience enhancements. The awardees were: Cactus Inn Motel, McLean, for an outdoor … Continue reading Texas Old Route 66 Association announces first batch of small business outdoor beautification matching grants
Students mostly finish repairing Bob Waldmire’s Route 66-themed U-Haul truck
Students from Francis Tuttle Technology Center in Oklahoma City recently finished most of its work on a long-inoperable U-Haul truck that had been painted by late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire. According to KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City, it took about three months to make the 1989 Toyota truck roadworthy again. "It wouldn't even run when … Continue reading Students mostly finish repairing Bob Waldmire’s Route 66-themed U-Haul truck
History Museum on the Square opens “Miles of Memories: Celebrating Route 66’s Centennial” exhibit
The History Museum on the Square in downtown Springfield, Missouri, recently opened the “Miles of Memories: Celebrating Route 66's Centennial” exhibit. The exhibit will remain up until Sept. 20. The Springfield News-Leader reported: The exhibit is a retrospective, combining highlights from the museum's five-year Route 66 series, which began in 2022. [...] The new exhibit … Continue reading History Museum on the Square opens “Miles of Memories: Celebrating Route 66’s Centennial” exhibit
Gearhead Curios owner participating in Proud to be IN America Ride
Aaron Perry, owner of Gearhead Curios in Galena, Kansas, is participating in the Proud to be IN America Ride from June 28 through July 12 along Route 66. Perry, an Army veteran, wrote in an email: I want to invite you to join us for a ride to honor Veterans past, present and future, not … Continue reading Gearhead Curios owner participating in Proud to be IN America Ride