The City of El Reno, Oklahoma, is under contract to buy a former gas station at Sunset Drive (aka Route 66) and Choctaw Avenue for $150,000 and is seeking a state Route 66 grant to improve that corner in time for the highway's centennial in 2026. The city also plans to upgrade its Mother Road … Continue reading City of El Reno to purchase former Route 66 gas station, will make improvements at plaza
Category: Attractions
Local man launches fundraising effort to save Gemini Giant from demolition
A man who hails from the Launching Pad Drive-In's home base of Wilmington, Illinois, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to save its Gemini Giant fiberglass giant from possible destruction by its owner. The closed Route 66 restaurant's owner, Holly Barker, said on Twitter a few days ago she was putting the Gemini Giant up for … Continue reading Local man launches fundraising effort to save Gemini Giant from demolition
Repairs to Arcadia’s Round Barn were completed this month
A weeks-long project to repair the 120-year-old Round Barn in Arcadia, Oklahoma, was finished on Feb. 9. The general contractor, Holman Construction, said the repairs would add another 30 years of life to the Route 66 landmark. The cost was a little more than $110,000, with $30,000 coming from a grant from the Route 66 … Continue reading Repairs to Arcadia’s Round Barn were completed this month
Vintage firetruck added to fire station along Route 66 in east Tulsa
Tulsa Fire Station 66 -- along Route 66, naturally -- acquired and restored a 1950 former city firetruck for a photo op at the station. According to News on 6 in Tulsa: The work took more than 3 years of work by volunteers, who rebuilt the truck that was junked about 15 years ago. "And … Continue reading Vintage firetruck added to fire station along Route 66 in east Tulsa
New, Route 66-inspired neon sign graces an entrance to downtown Albuquerque
In a tribute to Route 66, the City of Albuquerque last week dedicated a new neon sign near the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Broadway Boulevard. It's about three blocks north of Route 66, but city officials had the Mother Road in mind with its look, said Mayor Tim Keller. According … Continue reading New, Route 66-inspired neon sign graces an entrance to downtown Albuquerque
Illinois announces seven grants for projects along Route 66
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity this week announced seven awards, totaling $3.3 million, through the Route 66 Grant Program. This funding is intended to boost local tourism and attract visitors to Route 66, leading up to the 100th anniversary of the highway in 2026, according to a … Continue reading Illinois announces seven grants for projects along Route 66
Community group buys McLean’s historic water tower for $1, will repaint it
A nonprofit community group has purchased the endangered and historic water tower of McLean, Illinois, for $1. It will repaint the structure and hire an artist to paint a mural on it. The purchase reverses a 4-2 vote by the village board in November to tear the water tower down for almost $34,000. The village … Continue reading Community group buys McLean’s historic water tower for $1, will repaint it
Route 66 in New Mexico listed on National Geographic’s top travel experiences in 2024
National Geographic recently listed its "20 of the coolest travel adventures in 2024" as part of its annual Best of the World feature, and Route 66 in New Mexico made the list. The iconic magazine stated the list serves as "a celebration — of travel’s power to transform us and our connections with one another." … Continue reading Route 66 in New Mexico listed on National Geographic’s top travel experiences in 2024
Kingman Office of Tourism launches partnership with ListenUp audio app
The tourism office of Kingman, Arizona, earlier this week announced a partnership with an Arizona-based technology startup, ListenUp, to create a free, multilingual private tour guide of Kingman sites for anyone with an iPhone. A news release from the tourism office provides the details: ListenUp's geospatial audio tour transforms destinations like Kingman into captivating museum-like … Continue reading Kingman Office of Tourism launches partnership with ListenUp audio app
Fort Reno officers’ quarters gets $50,000 grant to replace windows
The nearly 90-year-old officers' quarters building at the Fort Reno Visitor’s Center and Museum near El Reno, Oklahoma, recently received a $50,000 grant to replace its old windows. The Yukon Progress, based in nearby Yukon, Oklahoma, reported the officers' quarters at the fort initially was built in 1876, and then rebuilt in 1936. The grant … Continue reading Fort Reno officers’ quarters gets $50,000 grant to replace windows