A compromise between state and local officials will preserve one mile of the fabled Ribbon Road of original Route 66 in northeast Oklahoma after the county voted recently to grind up the asphalt on the three-mile stretch. KSNF-TV in nearby Joplin, Missouri, reported that Miami Mayor Bless Parker, state Rep. Steve Bashore, Lt. Gov. and … Continue reading Compromise leaves 1 mile of endangered Ribbon Road in Oklahoma untouched
Category: Highways
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
County decides to grind up Sidewalk Highway asphalt despite pleas from preservationists
Ottawa County, Oklahoma, has decided to grind up the original asphalt and make other significant alterations to the 9-foot-wide "Sidewalk Highway" of original Route 66 between Miami and Afton. The county recently took the action despite pleas from the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and other historic preservationists to keep the century-old "Ribbon Road" intact as … Continue reading County decides to grind up Sidewalk Highway asphalt despite pleas from preservationists
Oklahoma unveils official logo for state’s Route 66 centennial celebrations
The Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission last week unveiled the official logo for the state's Route 66 centennial celebrations during a kickoff event at the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City. This inaugural event marks the commencement of a series of celebrations leading up to the iconic Route 66's 100th anniversary in 2026. The ceremony culminated with unveiling of the Oklahoma Route … Continue reading Oklahoma unveils official logo for state’s Route 66 centennial celebrations
Camp Cajon will mark its 105th birthday on July 4
Camp Cajon, a defunct motor camp along Route 66 in Southern California's Cajon Pass, will celebrate 105 years on July 4 with two guided hikes, a program on its history and information from local historical groups. Mark Landis, a historical columnist for the San Bernardino County Sun, had the details on the event, which runs … Continue reading Camp Cajon will mark its 105th birthday on July 4
Gearhead Curios wins first Outstanding Attraction honor from Jefferson Highway Association
Gearhead Curios of Galena, Kansas, and its owner Aaron Perry recently received the inaugural Outstanding Attraction award from the Jefferson Highway Association during its 11th annual conference in Alexandria, Louisiana. Gearhead Curios is best known for being on Route 66. The Jefferson Highway, which ran from New Orleans to Winnipeg, Manitoba, also went through Galena … Continue reading Gearhead Curios wins first Outstanding Attraction honor from Jefferson Highway Association
Restoration of West Winds Motel sign in Erick among Oklahoma Route 66 Commission grants
The restoration of the neon sign for the closed West Winds Motel in Erick, Oklahoma, is among the $6 million in grants recently awarded by the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission. A list of the funds given from the state's Route 66 Revitalization Grant Program was posted in a document on the commission's website. Several grant … Continue reading Restoration of West Winds Motel sign in Erick among Oklahoma Route 66 Commission grants
Oklahoma Route 66 Association wants plans altered for rehabbing Ribbon Road
The Oklahoma Route 66 Association is asking fans of Route 66 and Oklahoma history to lend their voice to an effort to preserve the Ribbon Road, a unique stretch of the famous highway in Ottawa County. “We agree that the road needs to be rehabilitated,” said Rhys Martin, president of the association. “With the centennial … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Association wants plans altered for rehabbing Ribbon Road
Route 66-themed roundabout in El Reno begins construction
A Route 66-themed roundabout began construction Thursday at the intersection of Route 66 and U.S. 81 in El Reno, Oklahoma. According to a report in the Yukon (Okla.) Progress: “Work is scheduled to take about a year-and-a-half, weather permitting, and should be complete ahead of the Route 66 Centennial (in 2026),” ODOT spokesman Bryce Boyer … Continue reading Route 66-themed roundabout in El Reno begins construction
Jericho owners raising funds to install a historic marker at Jericho Gap
Blair and Blanca Schaffer, the de facto owners of the Route 66 ghost town of Jericho, Texas, recently launched an online fundraiser to erect a historic marker at the start of the notorious Jericho Gap. The Schaffers want to raise $3,000 through GoFundMe.com to place a Texas Historical Marker at the site. The appeal contains … Continue reading Jericho owners raising funds to install a historic marker at Jericho Gap