The City of Springfield, Missouri, is considering ending its involvement with the annual Birthplace of Route 66 Festival or halting it entirely. The Springfield News-Leader, following up on an initial report from the Springfield Daily Citizen of about 25 businesses complaining about the festival, reported the city is considering options for the event. The Citizen … Continue reading Springfield considering ending the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival
Category: History
Circle Cinema in Tulsa to host free screening of “Route 66: An American Odyssey” on Nov. 11
The historic Circle Cinema in Tulsa will host a rare and free screening of John Paget's film "Route 66: An American Odyssey" with a question-and-answer session with the filmmaker and the film's narrator and host, Michael Wallis. A reception will be held in the venue's lobby at 6 p.m. Nov. 11, with the screening at … Continue reading Circle Cinema in Tulsa to host free screening of “Route 66: An American Odyssey” on Nov. 11
“BLVD” Cafe sign moved from closed Barstow museum to Duarte Historical Museum
The "BLVD" Cafe sign is back in the town where it once stood. The sign was on loan from the Duarte Historical Society in Duarte, California, to the Route 66 Mother Road Museum in Barstow, California, for about 30 years. But after the museum closed earlier this year, Duarte historian Alan Heller recalled the sign was … Continue reading “BLVD” Cafe sign moved from closed Barstow museum to Duarte Historical Museum
Donnay Building in OKC largely being rebuilt from scratch
The historic Donnay Building in Oklahoma City is almost entirely being rebuilt after its new owners decided its piecework, Frankenstein-like construction wasn't worth salvaging. The Oklahoman newspaper reports developer Nick Preftakes and partner Caleb Hill, after purchasing the property for $1.5 million, decided to gut the interior after assessing its long-ago additions, repairs and fire … Continue reading Donnay Building in OKC largely being rebuilt from scratch
Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program grants include Osterman Station
The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announced four cost-share grants for 2024, including to the Osterman Station in Peach Springs, Arizona, and the so-called Ski Slope House in Daggett, California. Here are the details of the grants from the Nation Park Service: -- Osterman Station rehabilitation, $30,000 grant, $30,000 cost-share match. In 1929, Swedish immigrant … Continue reading Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program grants include Osterman Station
Hank’s Hamburgers in Tulsa marking its 75th anniversary this weekend
Hank's Hamburgers, one of the oldest and greatest hamburger joints among many terrific ones in Tulsa, is marking its 75th anniversary this weekend. Through 7 p.m. Saturday, Hank's is offering its old-fashioned Oklahoma-style burger or a combo for 75 cents off to celebrate the milestone, reported the Tulsa World. Hank's sits at 8933 E. Admiral … Continue reading Hank’s Hamburgers in Tulsa marking its 75th anniversary this weekend
New, history-themed mural dedicated in Baxter Springs
City leaders of Baxter Springs, Kansas, on Monday held a ceremonial ribbon-cutting to mark the completion of the enormous "The Baxter Springs Historical Mural" that features Route 66 and other touchstones of the city's past. A meet-the-artists event for the father-and-son team of A.J. and Jordan Wood also will be held from 10 a.m. to … Continue reading New, history-themed mural dedicated in Baxter Springs
Quinta Scott, contributor to two prominent Route 66 books, dies at 83
Quinta Scott, a historian and photographer of Route 66 years before the highway's renaissance that started in the 1990s, died on Sept. 24. She was 83. Her obituary states: As a celebrated photographer and author, her work left an indelible mark on the world of art and storytelling. Through her lens and her words, she … Continue reading Quinta Scott, contributor to two prominent Route 66 books, dies at 83
Acquaintances seek to keep open Henry’s Rabbit Ranch in Staunton
A longtime friend and a family member aim to keep Henry's Rabbit Ranch along old Route 66 in Staunton, Illinois, going through at least the highway's centennial in 2026. Bob Caldieraro, who knew founder Rich Henry for decades, said he and Henry's sister, Michelle, reopened Henry's Rabbit Ranch about two weeks after his death at … Continue reading Acquaintances seek to keep open Henry’s Rabbit Ranch in Staunton
The Lobster on Santa Monica Pier marks 25 years; restaurant dates back more than a century
The Lobster, right next to the iconic Santa Monica Pier neon sign, recently marked the 25th anniversary of its rebirth, though the seafood restaurant itself dates back more than a century. To celebrate the milestone, The Lobster will showcase a special menu during National Seafood Month in October, according to the Santa Monica Daily Press. … Continue reading The Lobster on Santa Monica Pier marks 25 years; restaurant dates back more than a century