Old Courthouse in St. Louis undergoing renovations through mid-2025

The landmark Old Courthouse in downtown St. Louis is undergoing $27.5 million in renovations through the middle of 2025. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports the project will include four new exhibits, more accessibility and structural improvements. The Old Courthouse is part of the nearby Gateway Arch National Park complex. Both are fewer than 10 blocks … Continue reading Old Courthouse in St. Louis undergoing renovations through mid-2025

Angel Delgadillo chosen as an Arizona Historymaker for 2023

Angel Delgadillo, the Seligman, Arizona, barber who shepherded the creation of the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona in 1987 and the designation of that state's Route 66 as a historic highway, will be honored Saturday as an Arizona Historymaker. The Arizona Historymakers Turquoise & Treasures Celebration will be held from 3 to 7 p.m., … Continue reading Angel Delgadillo chosen as an Arizona Historymaker for 2023

Historic Santa Fe Depot reopens after extensive renovations

The 114-year-old Santa Fe Depot in Santa Fe, New Mexico, recently reopened to the public after going through two years and $1.6 million in renovations. The depot is just a couple of blocks west of the 1926-1937 alignment of Route 66 in Santa Fe. And because many Route 66 fans also are railroad buffs, many … Continue reading Historic Santa Fe Depot reopens after extensive renovations

Springfield’s Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque marking its 100th anniversary this month

The fabled Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque along Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri, is holding a 100th birthday celebration party on Oct. 21. According to an excellent article in the Springfield News-Leader (including cool photos of the shrine's construction), the shrine's recorder says it's the only building along Route 66 in Springfield being used for … Continue reading Springfield’s Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque marking its 100th anniversary this month

Longtime owner of The Comet II Restaurant and Drive-In in Santa Rosa dies

Johnny Martinez Jr., the longtime owner and chef of the landmark Comet II Restaurant and Drive-In in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, died Friday. He was 88. One local expressed his condolences: The town's former newspaper publisher weighed in: According to his obituary: At an early age Johnny became interested in cooking and made it a … Continue reading Longtime owner of The Comet II Restaurant and Drive-In in Santa Rosa dies

Mr. Powdrell’s Barbecue closing its Albuquerque Central Avenue location after 50+ years

Mr. Powdrell's Barbecue House is closing its Central Avenue location in Albuquerque at the end of this month after more than 50 years at that Route 66 location. Albuquerque Business First (subscription required) reported the restaurant at 11301 Central Ave. NE will close on Sept. 30. Mr. Powdrell's second location at 5209 4th St. NW … Continue reading Mr. Powdrell’s Barbecue closing its Albuquerque Central Avenue location after 50+ years

Joliet history museum to open Slovenian grocery store museum on Sunday

The Joliet Area Historical Museum on Sunday will open the circa-1920s Planinsek Grocery and Meat Market in Joliet, Illinois, as a house museum. The market at 1314 Elizabeth St. (map here) will have free admission that day. After that, the Planinsek Grocery will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday until … Continue reading Joliet history museum to open Slovenian grocery store museum on Sunday

University of Tulsa to host photographer Edward Keating’s “Lost Dream of Route 66” exhibit

The University of Tulsa next month is hosting Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Edward Keating's "Main Street: The Lost Dream of Route 66" exhibit that was published as a book a few years ago. The exhibit by the Oklahoma Center for the Humanities at 101 E. Archer St. will run from Oct. 6 through Nov. 18. Here's … Continue reading University of Tulsa to host photographer Edward Keating’s “Lost Dream of Route 66” exhibit

Frankoma Pottery in Oklahoma will offer tiki mugs for the first time in more than 50 years

Oklahoma-based Frankoma Pottery Co. will host a tiki party this afternoon and Saturday to commemorate the creation of limited-edition tiki mugs, the first Frankoma tiki creation in at least a half-century. The tiki mugs will be debuted at 1 p.m. today and Saturday at Frankoma's store at 17117 S. Union Ave. in Glenpool, Oklahoma, south … Continue reading Frankoma Pottery in Oklahoma will offer tiki mugs for the first time in more than 50 years

Next round of Route 66 Black Experiences Grant Program announced

Applications for the next round of the Route 66 Black Experiences Grant Program, administered through the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, are being taken through Oct. 31. According to a news release from the partnership: The grant program is one of the first in a series of “birthday gifts" to be given to Route 66 in the years … Continue reading Next round of Route 66 Black Experiences Grant Program announced