The Route 66 Association of Missouri’s restoration of the neon sign at the closed Red Cedar Inn restaurant in Pacific, Missouri, culminated with a ceremonial relighting Sunday night at the site.
Below is a video from the event. Ginger Gallagher, who once ran the property, throws the switch shortly after the 9-minute mark:
The mayor had planned to attend the ceremony but was unable to do so because his wife had been exposed to someone who tested positive for the coronavirus. However, he sent his well-wishes with a written statement.
Dave Hudson repaired the sign a few weeks ago after it was taken down for restoration in September.
The Smith brothers built the restaurant along Route 66 in 1932, then constructed the tavern addition a few years later. Both were made from logs cut from the family farm.
The restaurant and bar were favorites for many travelers on Route 66, including local politicians and baseball legends Dizzy Dean and Ted Williams.
The Red Cedar Inn closed abruptly in 2005 — its owners citing rising insurance costs — not long after its 70th anniversary. It remains on the National Register of Historic Places.
The city officially greenlighted converting the restaurant into a history and visitors center in late 2018. Talks had percolated between the owners and the city for years.
The conversion was estimated last year to take two years, putting it at midyear 2021. However, that likely will be delayed because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
(Screen-capture image from Roamin’ Rich Dinkela video of the restored Red Cedar Inn neon sign in Pacific, Missouri)