Filmmaker Katrina Parks announced her three-part "Route 66: The Untold Story of Women on the Mother Road" and the documentary "The Harvey Girls: Opportunity Bound" now are available to audiences for free on the streaming platform TubiTV. According to a news release from Parks: These films, which have been broadcast through American Public Television, explore … Continue reading Documentary about Route 66 women now being aired for free on TubiTV
Category: History
Central Avenue Bridge in Albuquerque might become a city landmark
The Central Avenue Bridge that carries Route 66 over the Rio Grande in Albuquerque soon will be considered a city landmark by the city's Landmarks Commission. According to KRQE-TV in Albuquerque, a historic preservation planner explained during a meeting that the bridge remains one of Albuquerque’s most historically significant structures. The planner, Silvia Bolivar, says, … Continue reading Central Avenue Bridge in Albuquerque might become a city landmark
Tulsa city councilors consider plans to replace historic 11th Street Bridge
The Tulsa City Council recently reviewed four proposals to replace the long-closed and deteriorating 11th Street Bridge with a new pedestrian span. Bruce Henley, principal and business unit manager for Dewberry Architects who presented the proposals, told the council it probably wasn't feasible to preserve the 100-year-old bridge except for sections that are on dry … Continue reading Tulsa city councilors consider plans to replace historic 11th Street Bridge
Removal of newer facade reveals original front of Pearl Brothers Hardware building in Joplin
In recent weeks, contractors for the new owner of Pearl Bros. Hardware building in downtown Joplin, Missouri, removed the green metal facade that had covered the original front of the building for about 60 years. A reporter for KOAM-TV showed before-and-after images of the work being done by Neal Group Construction: https://youtu.be/WcXfSKLMq68 The story also … Continue reading Removal of newer facade reveals original front of Pearl Brothers Hardware building in Joplin
Santa Monica Pier was saved from destruction 50 years ago
It's unthinkable now, but the iconic Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California, once was very much in danger of being torn down a half-century ago. The Santa Monica Daily Press recently published an article about the history of the pier, including a successful grass-roots effort in 1973 to preserve it after the city council … Continue reading Santa Monica Pier was saved from destruction 50 years ago
American Giants Museum planned for downtown Atlanta, Illinois
Joel Baker, a Muffler Man aficionado who has created a website and documentary shorts about his obsession, announced this week he is planning an American Giants Museum site along Route 66 in Atlanta, Illinois, The museum will be almost directly across the street from the Bunyan Giant Muffler Man in downtown that once stood along … Continue reading American Giants Museum planned for downtown Atlanta, Illinois
New, Route 66-themed mural unveiled for Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet
The Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Illinois, recently held a private unveiling of the "Twin Centennial" mural that will be installed later this month outside of the historic theater. Dante DiBartolo's mural honors both the theater and Route 66, both of which will mark their 100th year in 2026. The theater showed what the mural … Continue reading New, Route 66-themed mural unveiled for Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet
National Trust offering another round of grants for historic small restaurants
The National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express are offering another opportunity for restaurants to receive up to $40,000 from the Backing Historic Small Restaurants Grant Program. The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership stated in a news release it is encouraging the many small, historic restaurants along Route 66 to apply for the grant, … Continue reading National Trust offering another round of grants for historic small restaurants
Anthropologists to create a comprehensive map of Cahokia Mounds site near St. Louis
The National Science Foundation recently awarded a five-year, $312,000 grant to a group of anthropologists so it can create a comprehensive map of the Cahokia Mounds site near Collinsville, Illinois. The project using magnetometry equipment would be the largest archaeo-geophysical project to date in all the Americas, reported the Edwardsville Intelligencer. For this project they … Continue reading Anthropologists to create a comprehensive map of Cahokia Mounds site near St. Louis
Munger Moss Motel changes hands; he pledges to keep neon sign and rooms for overnight guests
Ramona Lehman apparently has sold the historic Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri. The new owner has pledged to keep its neon sign and rooms for overnight Route 66 travelers, though part of it will be designated to long-term renters. Reports of the Munger Moss' sale began surfacing Monday after Route 66 enthusiasts or those … Continue reading Munger Moss Motel changes hands; he pledges to keep neon sign and rooms for overnight guests