The relighting of the former Skylark Motel’s neon — including its distinctive glass-block tower — will occur about dusk Saturday at the site in St. Clair, Missouri, according to a news release from the Neon Heritage Preservation Committee of the Route 66 Association of Missouri.
The ceremony is scheduled to last about 20 minutes. According to Accuweather.com, sunset on that day will occur at 4:43 p.m., although clouds could make darkness arrive earlier.
According to the release:
The property is now owned by local VFW Post 2482 and is located at 1087 North Service Road WW, which is 1.5 miles west of I-44 exit 239 at St. Clair, on the north side outer road.
The VFW Post leadership welcome all to attend this event and are planning to serve food and refreshments after the relighting ceremony, which will include music, vintage cars on site, and speakers representing the local community and the Missouri Route 66 Association. A limited number of distinctive t-shirts commemorating this special event will also be available.
The VFW Post was the recipient of a $22,000 cost-share grant from the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program to assist in the restoration of this neon scene, which will now return one of the Mother Road’s most dazzling light displays for Route 66 travelers.
According to Jim Thole, the Skylark opened in 1952 and operated as such for about 25 years. It eventually was purchased by the St. Clair VFW in 1993.
(Image of the former Skylark Motel tower courtesy of Jim Thole)
Good news! The tower truly is a landmark in the area and something most Route 66 travelers notice — this will be a great addition to MO’s portion of the road.
Wow…. I’m all for preservation of the road. But imho, this Federal program and the dollars that have been allocated to some projects have to me seem quite wasteful.
The relighting of this sign?? I really don’t see how this is going to benefit the preservation of Route 66. $44,000 to get some neon lettering? How is this going to help preserve the road?
If this money was going to help start new businesses in existing structures along the route…..great. But helping light a few letters?? Wow…