Betty Wheatley and the late Allen Threatt Sr. were inducted Saturday into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton. Wheatley owned the Dairy Ranch Drive-In in Afton, Oklahoma, for more than four decades. Threatt founded the Threatt Filling Station, one of the few Black-owned … Continue reading Betty Wheatley, Allen Threatt Sr. inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame
Category: Gas stations
A dive into the history of the defunct Rock City Cafe in Eureka
A YouTube channel called Gateway Explorer recently dove into the history of the Rock City Cafe that once stood along Route 66 in Eureka, Missouri. https://youtu.be/Lp_7uO02pIU The channel describes the video: Located at (38.5054260, -90.6151620), the Rock City Cafe was built in 1933 by Ed LaMar on a hill at the edge of Times Beach … Continue reading A dive into the history of the defunct Rock City Cafe in Eureka
“Interactive metaverse exhibit” coming to Springfield involves Negro Motorist Green Book
In May, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Gov. JB Pritzker announced $4 million in grants for various projects along Route 66, including one to Springfield for an "interactive metaverse exhibit" that would focus on "the lived experiences of Black Americans traveling or living in communities along Route 66 throughout its history." Last week, … Continue reading “Interactive metaverse exhibit” coming to Springfield involves Negro Motorist Green Book
New owners of Sunflower Station in Adrian reveal more plans for the site for 2023
The new owners of Sunflower Station next door to the landmark Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, Texas, announced plans for the site when they plan to reopen it in spring 2023, including placing guest cabins in the back of the property. Jason and Kelly Snyder, enthusiasts of Route 66 and motorcycles, acquired the property last year … Continue reading New owners of Sunflower Station in Adrian reveal more plans for the site for 2023
Lucille’s Service Station in Hydro sustains moderate damage from a tornado
The landmark Lucille's Service Station along Route 66 near Hydro, Oklahoma, sustained moderate damage from a tornado, but a nearby office building designed to look like the original motel was more ravaged. KFOR-TV in nearby Oklahoma City shot footage from a helicopter of the site. As you can see, the original station suffered a little … Continue reading Lucille’s Service Station in Hydro sustains moderate damage from a tornado
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
Burglars break into Threatt Filling Station near Luther
Burglars apparently broke into the historic Threatt Filling Station near Luther, Oklahoma, that's undergoing renovations. A local police agency said it is calling the FBI to help investigate. According to a Facebook post from the Luther Police Department, the thieves broke into the station to steal power tools. They stole a trailer and in the … Continue reading Burglars break into Threatt Filling Station near Luther
Roy’s of Amboy makes an appearance in new Nissan commercial
If you've watched any NCAA basketball tournament games on television in recent days, you might have spotted the Route 66 landmark Roy's gas station, cafe and motel in Amboy, California, in a Nissan ad. The Roy's footage, which features the Nissan Z sports car, begins about the 15-second mark; https://youtu.be/yR6mx_VkXEk I went back more than … Continue reading Roy’s of Amboy makes an appearance in new Nissan commercial
Illinois tourism bureau applies for grant for Route 66 visitor center, reopening Cannonball Jail
A tourism bureau in southwest Illinois has applied for a state grant that would create a new Route 66 visitor center and reopen the Cannonball Jail in Carlinville, among other projects. According to Riverbender.com, the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau of Southwest Illinois applied for the grant under the state's Route 66 Grant Program administered … Continue reading Illinois tourism bureau applies for grant for Route 66 visitor center, reopening Cannonball Jail
Second Buc-ee’s store coming near Route 66 corridor, this time in Amarillo
A second Buc-ee's convenience store near the Route 66 corridor soon will be built, this time on the east side of Amarillo, Texas. Barely three weeks ago, the city council of Springfield, Missouri, approved incentives for the construction of a Buc-ee's on the city's northeast side. That one will be open 12 to 15 months … Continue reading Second Buc-ee’s store coming near Route 66 corridor, this time in Amarillo