Illinois State Fair in Springfield paints its giant slide in a Route 66 theme

The Illinois State Fair in Springfield recently repainted its giant slide with an Illinois Route 66 shield. Springfield tourism director Scott Dahl recently posted a photo of the historic slide on social media: The 40-foot-tall and 130-foot-long slide was erected in 1968 and is near the fair's main gate. It was one of 40 originally designed … Continue reading Illinois State Fair in Springfield paints its giant slide in a Route 66 theme

Winning entry for Tulsa Route 66 mixed-use development includes car vending machine

Local developer David Sharp has been chosen from three suitors to construct a Route 66 mixed-use development on the banks of the Arkansas River in Tulsa that will include a car vending machine. The City of Tulsa is expected to formally announce the decision on the development today, but the Tulsa World received confirmation from … Continue reading Winning entry for Tulsa Route 66 mixed-use development includes car vending machine

Google Doodle contains an artist’s tribute to Route 66

The Google Doodle on Google's homepage on Saturday will contain a commissioned work of an artist's representation of Route 66. Allison Hacker of M Booth Communications alerted us to the forthcoming Google Doodle in an email about two weeks ago: While every Doodle has a story behind it, this specific one has a 2,448-mile-long journey. … Continue reading Google Doodle contains an artist’s tribute to Route 66

Texas Old Route 66 Association officers freshen up the midpoint of Route 66 in Adrian

Officers of the Texas Old Route 66 Association this week repainted the on-road markers of the so-called midpoint of Route 66, directly across from the Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, Texas. The association posted a bunch of photos of those members repainting the midpoint stripe on the road and its nearby Route 66 shields. I'm sure … Continue reading Texas Old Route 66 Association officers freshen up the midpoint of Route 66 in Adrian

Interior of Blue Whale of Catoosa closed off after recent vandalism

Visitors at the iconic Blue Whale site off Route 66 in Catoosa, Oklahoma, will be unable to climb into the whale's interior after someone vandalized that space with spraypaint last week. According to Channel 2 in nearby Tulsa: “Yesterday morning, a sweet family who had climbed up the blue whale’s head for the great photo … Continue reading Interior of Blue Whale of Catoosa closed off after recent vandalism

Concept cars from the 1950s will be displayed at forthcoming Route 66 Visitors Center in Albuquerque

Two concept cars conceived by a New Mexico resident during the 1950s will be on loan at the Route 66 Visitor Center on Albuquerque's west side when the facility opens later this spring. An artist's rendering of Leopold Garcia's "Bubbles Car." Leopold E. Garcia's “Bubbles Car” and “City Car" will be part of the visitors … Continue reading Concept cars from the 1950s will be displayed at forthcoming Route 66 Visitors Center in Albuquerque

Actress and comedian Jane Lynch stars in Illinois Tourism’s “Middle of Everything” campaign

Actress and comedian Jane Lynch directs and stars in a bunch of television ads for Illinois Tourism's new "Middle of Everything" campaign that includes shout-outs to several Route 66 landmarks. According to a news release, the ads will run in 20 markets across Illinois and seven neighboring states and will be seen on cable television … Continue reading Actress and comedian Jane Lynch stars in Illinois Tourism’s “Middle of Everything” campaign

Sapulpa foundation launches fundraiser for a new Splash 66 splash pad

The Sapulpa Parks Friends Foundation of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, recently launched a fundraiser that includes the giveaway of a new Corvette to build a Route 66-themed Splash 66 splash pad in a park on the city's south side. According to the Sapulpa Times, the splash pad will be built at Kelly Lane Park, about a mile … Continue reading Sapulpa foundation launches fundraiser for a new Splash 66 splash pad

Route 66 Association of Missouri plans event to repaint big road shield at Gary’s Gay Parita

The Route 66 Association of Missouri is planning a May 28 event to repaint "the largest Route 66 shield in Missouri" at Gary's Gay Parita Sinclair Station in Paris Springs, Missouri. Roamin' Rich Dinkela, now president of the association, in 2018 painted the large shield onto the roadway, and it has become faded with weather … Continue reading Route 66 Association of Missouri plans event to repaint big road shield at Gary’s Gay Parita

Sapulpa plans a pedestrian-friendly Alley District off Route 66, a Rock Creek Park

The city of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, is planning a downtown Alley District designed for pedestrians off Route 66 and also a Route 66 Rock Creek Park near the historic bridge. According to an earlier story by the Sapulpa Times, a downtown alley between Dewey, Lee and Hobson streets would be converted into a new pedestrian and … Continue reading Sapulpa plans a pedestrian-friendly Alley District off Route 66, a Rock Creek Park