The Route 66 Association of Illinois seeks nominees for the 2025 induction into the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame. The association began recognizing people and places along Route 66 almost 35 years ago The Hall of Fame honors “those people and places along Route 66 whose blend of hardy individualism and grassroots community spirit … Continue reading Nominees sought for Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame in 2025
Category: History
Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla will close for good on Sept. 30
We've known for a few weeks the historic Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla, Missouri, would close this fall. Now we have a firm date: The Totem Pole will shutter for good on Sept. 30. The Phelps County Focus published a story about the imminent retirement of longtime owners Tim and Alice Jones, who have … Continue reading Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla will close for good on Sept. 30
Restoration work begins on century-old jail in El Reno
Renovation work recently started on the century-old Canadian County Jail in El Reno, Oklahoma, so it eventually can reopen as a museum. Preservation El Reno, a nonprofit organization, is busy replacing the stone building's roof before starting on interior work, according to KOCO-TV in nearby Oklahoma City. The station reported: The estimated million-dollar project is … Continue reading Restoration work begins on century-old jail in El Reno
Jamil’s Steakhouse in Tulsa moving to a new location
Jamil's, one of the last of the old Lebanese-American steakhouses in Tulsa, is moving from 51st Street to the Farm Shopping Center in the city. The Tulsa World reported the change in locations will occur later this year. Jamil's Steakhouse announced its imminent move a couple of weeks ago. Jamil's will be in the former … Continue reading Jamil’s Steakhouse in Tulsa moving to a new location
Jobe’s Drive-In restaurant in El Reno reopens for first time in nearly a decade
Jobe's Drive-In, a Route 66 restaurant in El Reno, Oklahoma, for over 60 years, recently reopened for the first time in nearly a decade. The restaurant, which dates to 1958, has been renamed Jobe's Country Boy Drive-In. Here's an image from its grand reopening a few weeks ago: Local contractor Eric Hughes, a fan of … Continue reading Jobe’s Drive-In restaurant in El Reno reopens for first time in nearly a decade
Arizona Libraries receives grant to digitize old newspapers along Route 66 corridor
Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records, with the University of Arizona Libraries, recently landed a $319,588 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to digitize 100,000 pages of historical Arizona newspapers, especially along Route 66. According to Hoodline.com: In anticipation of Route 66's centennial in 2026, the project has set its sights on … Continue reading Arizona Libraries receives grant to digitize old newspapers along Route 66 corridor
Red Oak II owner plans to preserve historic La Grange School near Carthage
The owner of the Red Oak II complex near Carthage, Missouri, acquired the historic La Grange School and said plans to preserve the building that dates to the 1860s. The Joplin Globe reported Red Oak II owner Larry Syrnek bought the school and its one acre of land for $35,000 from a farmer who had … Continue reading Red Oak II owner plans to preserve historic La Grange School near Carthage
Are Muffler Men undergoing a big revival?
The short answer is yes. The Chicago Tribune a few days ago took a look at what one Route 66 advocate, Bill Thomas, called "a bit of a Renaissance" for the fiberglass giants, colloquially known as Muffler Men. The Muffler Men, made primarily by International Fiberglass in Venice, California, during the 1960s to the mid-1970s, … Continue reading Are Muffler Men undergoing a big revival?
State Historical Society of Missouri wants Route 66 stories and items for exhibit in 2026
The State Historical Society of Missouri is collecting items and stories about Route 66 so it can launch an exhibit during the highway's centennial in 2026. According to NPR in Kansas City, researchers hope to “fill in historical gaps” by recording the experiences -- especially those of women, immigrants and Black Americans -- who traveled … Continue reading State Historical Society of Missouri wants Route 66 stories and items for exhibit in 2026
Fundraiser launched for needed repairs for historic Hooker church, school building
An online fundraiser recently was launched to repair the roof on the 120-year-old Hooker Church and school next to Hooker Cemetery in Hooker, Missouri. The cemetery and church building, aka The Little White Church, are next to Route 66. Rick Wieners, whose grandfather and father are buried in the cemetery, launched the campaign on GoFundMe.com … Continue reading Fundraiser launched for needed repairs for historic Hooker church, school building