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
Whimsy Waypoint, which includes Flintstones-styled cabin, soon will open near Vinita
Whimsy Waypoint, which features a "The Flintstones"-inspired cabin and three other uniquely designed ones, is set to open this year a few miles east of the Route 66 town of Vinita, Oklahoma. The "Flintstones"-styled getaway is called Bedrock Grotto, containing one bath, one kitchen, a fire pit and a hot tub. It will allow up … Continue reading Whimsy Waypoint, which includes Flintstones-styled cabin, soon will open near Vinita
Developers of Petro Motor Quart motel in Galena abandon the project
Citing an issue that "is not in our control," the developers of a gas-station-themed, 10-unit Petro Motor Quart motel in Galena, Kansas, have abandoned the project. Aaron Perry, owner of Gearhead Curios in Galena, and fiancée Cassandra Rangel announced the project in early 2025 and broke ground for it about a month later. The site … Continue reading Developers of Petro Motor Quart motel in Galena abandon the project
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
Route 66 Centennial Capital Cruise in Tulsa reaches goal of 3,000 registrations
The Route 66 Centennial Capital Cruise later this month in Tulsa reached its goal of 3,000 classic-vehicle registrations a few days ago. Fox 23 in Tulsa reports that registration No. 3,000 was a 1973 Ford Mustang owned by Mike Smith of Collinsville, Oklahoma. Smith said, "I can't believe I was car number 3,000 to register. … Continue reading Route 66 Centennial Capital Cruise in Tulsa reaches goal of 3,000 registrations
Touch Media launches Centennial Passport project that supports Route 66 entities
Touch Media recently launched “You Are the Last Missing Piece of Route 66, Fellow Traveler,” a community-focused initiative built around The Route 66 Centennial Passport. The project celebrates the Route 66 centennial by giving travelers a simple way to support the people and organizations that preserve America’s most famous road. The idea is clear: Every … Continue reading Touch Media launches Centennial Passport project that supports Route 66 entities
Route 66 stamps go on sale at U.S. post offices
The hotly awaited Route 66 stamps that commemorate the highway's centennial this year officially went on sale Tuesday. Here is the U.S. Postal Service's video introducing the stamps: You can buy them at U.S. post offices. Or you can order a sheet of 16 stamps for $12.48 here and have them delivered. The stamps feature … Continue reading Route 66 stamps go on sale at U.S. post offices
Route 66 Motorheads to host Centennial Cultural Program honoring journey of ultramarathoner
As part of celebrating Route 66's centennial, Route 66 Motorheads in Springfield, Illinois, will host a centennial cultural gathering on June 6 centered around the journey of endurance runner Tomasz Sobania. The day begins with the independently organized Route 66 Centennial 5K Footrace at the Illinois State Fairgrounds and continues at Motorheads with an invitation-only … Continue reading Route 66 Motorheads to host Centennial Cultural Program honoring journey of ultramarathoner
“Foodways on Route 66” is on tap this month for Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series
The next edition of the monthly Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series will be "Foodways on Route 66" by historian and author T. Lindsay Baker. The livestream of "Foodways on Route 66" will be on May 12 at 2 p.m. Eastern or 11 a.m. Pacific time. The hosting organization is the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum in Canyon, … Continue reading “Foodways on Route 66” is on tap this month for Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series
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