The J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma, will open a temporary railroad history exhibit the same day Union Pacific's historic Big Boy locomotive stops in the city on Oct. 14. According to the Claremore Progress newspaper, the Claremore museum will host "American Treasures: The Railroad Museum of Oklahoma," displaying about 150 artifacts … Continue reading Gun museum in Claremore to host railroad exhibit as Big Boy locomotive arrives on Oct. 14
Category: Museums
New Oklahoma Route 66 grants go to Blue Whale improvements, giant dinosaur, neon projects
The Oklahoma Route 66 Commission announced more than $6.6 million in grants, including improvements to the Blue Whale in Catoosa, a 66-foot dinosaur in Tulsa and multiple neon-sign initiatives. The grants, initially reported by the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, cover 13 Route 66-related projects in the Sooner State. More about the grants can be found … Continue reading New Oklahoma Route 66 grants go to Blue Whale improvements, giant dinosaur, neon projects
Lumi giant added at Country Aire Restaurant at Atlanta
Call the small town of Atlanta, Illinois, the Land of the Giants. Lumi, a nearly 20-foot-tall female fiberglass giant holding a pie, was added Friday at the Country Aire Restaurant in Atlanta. That includes the Bunyan giant installed in 2003 along the original Route 66 in downtown Atlanta, plus the American Giants Museum that opened … Continue reading Lumi giant added at Country Aire Restaurant at Atlanta
Jerry McClanahan, the late Bunny Neff inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame
Longtime Route 66 artist and researcher Jerry McClanahan of Chandler, Oklahoma, was inducted Saturday into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton. The other inductee was the late Jeannette “Bunny” Neff of Sayre, Oklahoma, who advocated for Route 66 in the western part of the state for … Continue reading Jerry McClanahan, the late Bunny Neff inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame
Springfield tourism bureau takes a closer look at Guy Mace’s Route 66 Car Museum
The Springfield, Missouri, Convention and Visitors Bureau recently published an in-depth look at Guy Mace and his Route 66 Car Museum. Mace owns about 75 vintage and celebrity vehicles in the museum at 1634 W. College St. (aka Route 66) in Springfield. It opened in 2016. The article goes into Mace's origin story: The foundation … Continue reading Springfield tourism bureau takes a closer look at Guy Mace’s Route 66 Car Museum
Barstow Route 66 Mother Road Museum closed permanently due to flood damage
The Bartsow Route 66 Mother Road Museum, located in a Harvey House on the north side of Barstow, California, will remain closed "indefinitely" after flooding from monsoon rains damaged part of the facility. The museum stated on its webpage that the city is repairing the damage and that no funds are needed. Deb Hodkin, longtime … Continue reading Barstow Route 66 Mother Road Museum closed permanently due to flood damage
Stealth Fighter added to the collection at Stafford Air & Space Museum in Weatherford
The Stafford Air & Space Museum in Weatherford, Oklahoma, a few days ago added an F-117A Nighthawk Stealth Fighter to its already formidable collection. The museum, which sits along Route 66, posted several photos and videos of the so-called "Raven Beauty" being hauled down Weatherford streets to its final destination. The museum stated it required … Continue reading Stealth Fighter added to the collection at Stafford Air & Space Museum in Weatherford
Severe storm damages Illinois Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum on Route 66 in Joliet
A severe storm Sunday morning damaged the Illinois Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum on Route 66 in downtown Joliet, Illinois, including ripping off part of the upper facade. Ron Romero, chairman and creator of the museum, said a check on interior security cameras indicates the artifacts are safe. The giant neon guitar on … Continue reading Severe storm damages Illinois Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum on Route 66 in Joliet
Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremores likely will close for full remodeling in early 2026
The director of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma, said the facility likely would close in January 2026 for a full remodeling project, then reopen by that spring. Museum director Tad Jones gave the Claremore Progress newspaper some details: Jones, who has been museum director since 2014, said plans to renovate every exhibit … Continue reading Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremores likely will close for full remodeling in early 2026
City of Barstow hosting a special walk over North First Avenue Bridge before new bridge opens
The City of Barstow, California, is hosting a special walk tomorrow over the historic North First Avenue Bridge before it is demolished and makes way for a new bridge in the coming weeks. The special walk will be at 9 a.m. local time Wednesday, according to an announcement from the city. The old bridge also … Continue reading City of Barstow hosting a special walk over North First Avenue Bridge before new bridge opens