Local officials flipped the switch Thursday night at the new It's Electric Neon Sign Park just off Route 66 in Granite City, Illinois. According to Riverbender.com, the park at 19th Street and Delmar Avenue was funded by a $500,000 grant from the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau and the Illinois Office of Tourism to … Continue reading Lights on at the It’s Electric Neon Sign Park in Granite City
Category: Attractions
30-foot-tall “Big Ron” fiberglass statue added to Route 66 MotorHeads Bar & Grill in Springfield
A 30-foot-tall "Big Ron" fiberglass figure was added Thursday under the big Route 66 shield near the entrance to Route 66 MotorHeads Bar & Grill, Museum and Entertainment Complex in Springfield, Illinois. The complex at 600 Toronto Road, in an old Stuckey's on an alignment of Route 66, already contains tons of Route 66 memorabilia … Continue reading 30-foot-tall “Big Ron” fiberglass statue added to Route 66 MotorHeads Bar & Grill in Springfield
Blue Hole of Santa Rosa may partially reopen by this weekend
The mayor of Santa Rosa, New Mexico, said the city's landmark Blue Hole may partly reopen by this weekend after a wall collapse forced its closing in mid-June. According to a report in the Albuquerque Journal: Santa Rosa Mayor Nelson Kotiar told the Journal that barring any setbacks, the Blue Hole, which is owned by … Continue reading Blue Hole of Santa Rosa may partially reopen by this weekend
Granite City to light up its new neon sign park on the evening of Aug. 1
Granite City, Illinois, will host a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and lighting ceremony for its new Route 66 neon sign park on the evening of Aug. 1. The event also will include food trucks, classic cars, music and more. An artist’s rendering of a forthcoming neon sign park in Granite City, Illinois. It will take place from … Continue reading Granite City to light up its new neon sign park on the evening of Aug. 1
CNN Travel names Flagstaff one of America’s Best Towns to Visit in 2024
CNN Travel named the Route 66 town of Flagstaff, Arizona, one of the 10 America's Best Towns to Visit in 2024. Eschewing large metros, it looked at "smaller cities that aren’t already at the top of everyone’s travel list — places where you’ll often find small-town vibes and loads of personality as well as plenty … Continue reading CNN Travel names Flagstaff one of America’s Best Towns to Visit in 2024
Public art panel announces mural to highlight Baxter Springs history, including Route 66
The Public Art Committee of Baxter Springs, Kansas, announced a forthcoming public mural emphasizing the town's history, including Route 66. According to the Spring River Current and KSNF-TV, the mural will be funded by a $7,500 grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Office of Rural Development, with matching funds from the Ronald … Continue reading Public art panel announces mural to highlight Baxter Springs history, including Route 66
Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremores likely will close for full remodeling in early 2026
The director of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma, said the facility likely would close in January 2026 for a full remodeling project, then reopen by that spring. Museum director Tad Jones gave the Claremore Progress newspaper some details: Jones, who has been museum director since 2014, said plans to renovate every exhibit … Continue reading Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremores likely will close for full remodeling in early 2026
Organization wants a big “Clinton” sign on city’s east side of Route 66
The city council of Clinton, Oklahoma, heard a local organization's proposal of a two-sided big sign to showcase an original section of Route 66 on the city's east side. According to a recent print edition of the Clinton Daily News, Andrew Stone of the West OK Co-op presented its idea to the city council where … Continue reading Organization wants a big “Clinton” sign on city’s east side of Route 66
New markers erected on Route 66 in Chicago
Choose Chicago, the city's tourism department, recently placed new Route 66 signs to celebrate the highway's upcoming centennial. According to WGN-TV in Chicago, the signs were placed near the Art Institute of Chicago, plus at 1969 W. Ogden Ave., 3100 W. Ogden Ave. and 3801 W. Ogden Ave. Ogden is a main alignment of Route … Continue reading New markers erected on Route 66 in Chicago
Tulsa officially earns “Capital of Route 66” title
Several towns along the Mother Road for years have claimed to be the "Capital of Route 66." But the City of Tulsa and the Tulsa Route 66 Commission ensured it isn't just an idle boast. After a lengthy process, Tulsa officially secured a federal copyright for "Capital of Route 66." According to KJRH-TV and other … Continue reading Tulsa officially earns “Capital of Route 66” title