The Joplin (Mo.) Globe reports that the Route 66 town of Miami, Okla., will shell out about $150,000 for historical markers and other projects along the Mother Road.
About $120,000 of that will come from the National Scenic Byways program, while the rest will be provided by the city and tourism bureau.
The projects are:
— Reconstruction of a 1900-era 40-foot-wide metal overhead sign on Main Street just north of Steve Owens Boulevard. The archway, “Miami, Oklahoma — The Gateway,” will welcome visitors to the downtown area.
— Reconstruction of a 21-foot tall Ozark Trail milepost marker in downtown Miami. The original marker, constructed in 1919 in the middle of the street at Central and Main streets, marked the trail system, and cited the distance from Miami to other cities on the route.
— Installation of directional signs on state highways directing tourists to the Coleman Theatre and the Route 66 Ribbon Highway, located south of the city on Highway 69 near Narcissa.
— Erect historical markers in front of the Coleman Theater, at the Route 66 Ribbon Highway and at the Ozark Trail milepost marker and at the gateway arch.
Funds from the city and the Miami Convention and Visitors’ Bureau will be used to place an historical marker at the old Marathon Gas Station at 331 S. Main St., Eller said.
The Ribbon Highway refers to the 9-foot-wide historic highway south of town. First-time travelers find it a bit hard to track down.