The City of Springfield, Illinois, recently accepted a $623,000 state grant to reopen Bill Shea's Gas Station Museum along Route 66. According to the Springfield State Journal-Register, Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau director Scott Dahl wants to make the closed station on Peoria Road (aka Route 66) an "Instagram-able stop," especially for international travelers. Dahl elaborated on … Continue reading Springfield plans to reopen Bill Shea’s Gas Station Museum
Category: Attractions
Woman raising funds to build welcome arches on both sides of Seligman
A woman is leading a fundraising effort to build welcome arches on the east and west sides of Seligman, Arizona, on Route 66. Nancy Echeverria has raised about $23,000 so far for the project. She anticipates the arches will cost a total of $150,000. Her fundraisers have received the endorsement of the Seligman Chamber of … Continue reading Woman raising funds to build welcome arches on both sides of Seligman
Normal Town Council approves a large Route 66 monument sign
The Normal Town Council of Normal, Illinois, several days ago approved the installation of a large Route 66 monument sign. The monument will be on Pine Street (aka Route 66), adjacent to the south edge of One Normal Plaza, according to the Bloomington Pantagraph. "It will be a fun Route 66 photo (opportunity) for visitors … Continue reading Normal Town Council approves a large Route 66 monument sign
Developer withdraws plans for Route 66 mixed-use project in Tulsa, citing construction costs
A developer that sought to build an ambitious Route 66-themed mixed-use project in Tulsa told the city this week it has withdrawn the proposal, citing a rise in construction costs that made it unfeasible. Sharp Development of Tulsa pulled out of the project this week after the city selected it from four proposals a year … Continue reading Developer withdraws plans for Route 66 mixed-use project in Tulsa, citing construction costs
Big Brutus will mark its 60th birthday on Friday and Saturday
Big Brutus, an enormous electric coal shovel that’s become a side trip for Route 66 travelers in Kansas, will be part of a 60th birthday celebration on Friday and Saturday this week. Big Brutus is located at 6509 NW 60th St. in West Mineral, Kansas, about 30 miles from the Route 66 town of Riverton. The Joplin … Continue reading Big Brutus will mark its 60th birthday on Friday and Saturday
Route 66-themed giant slide at Illinois State Fair will be open each Saturday through mid-August
The Illinois State Fair's giant slide -- which recently got a Route 66-themed paint job -- will open each Saturday until the start of the fair on Aug. 10-20. According to the Springfield State Journal-Register, it is the first time the slide has been open during non-fair hours. The slide will be open from 2 … Continue reading Route 66-themed giant slide at Illinois State Fair will be open each Saturday through mid-August
Buck’s Cosmic Crash Pad in Tulsa will be converted to Buck’s Vintage Shop next month
Buck’s Cosmic Crash Pad, an Airbnb site for three years in Tulsa directly behind Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66, will be converted to Buck’s Vintage Shop in June. Buck's owner Mary Beth Babcock made the announcement in a social media post on Tuesday: In a discussion thread, Babcock said the new venture would offer … Continue reading Buck’s Cosmic Crash Pad in Tulsa will be converted to Buck’s Vintage Shop next month
Illinois awards $6.6M in Route 66 and tourism marketing grants
The governor of Illinois and the state's Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced last week it would give 58 awards totaling $6.6 million through the Route 66 and Tourism Marketing Grant Programs to boost Route 66 tourism. The Route 66 grant program is awarding $3.7 million to seven recipients for the development of tourism, … Continue reading Illinois awards $6.6M in Route 66 and tourism marketing grants
American Giants Museum to hold a soft opening on Memorial Day weekend
The American Giants Museum along Route 66 in Atlanta, Illinois, will hold a soft opening on Memorial Day weekend. Those details and others came in a news release Tuesday from the nonprofit Atlanta Betterment Fund, which is helping shepherd the project with museum creator Joel Baker, who for years has been a preservation advocate and … Continue reading American Giants Museum to hold a soft opening on Memorial Day weekend
New indoor mural is being painted in Galena Mining and History Museum
An artist is painting a mural inside the Galena Mining and History Museum in Galena, Kansas, and anticipates finishing it in about 10 days. According to KSNF-TV and museum director Linda Phipps, Sandra Pemberton's mural will depict Galena's railroad, mining and Route 66 history. Here's what Phipps said inspired the mural: “I was visiting my … Continue reading New indoor mural is being painted in Galena Mining and History Museum