Developer withdraws plans for Route 66 mixed-use project in Tulsa, citing construction costs

A developer that sought to build an ambitious Route 66-themed mixed-use project in Tulsa told the city this week it has withdrawn the proposal, citing a rise in construction costs that made it unfeasible. Sharp Development of Tulsa pulled out of the project this week after the city selected it from four proposals a year … Continue reading Developer withdraws plans for Route 66 mixed-use project in Tulsa, citing construction costs

Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center to mark 10th anniversary next month

The Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center in Litchfield, Illinois, will celebrate its 10th birthday on June 1 with a celebration two days later, on June 3. Cheryl Eichar Jett wrote about the initiative and history of the welcome center in the latest issue of The Buzz Monthly. It all started when Anne Jackson, … Continue reading Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center to mark 10th anniversary next month

Route 66 Interpretive Center in Edwardsville sets grand opening for June 9

The forthcoming Route 66 Interpretive Center, housed in a former gas station in Edwardsville, Illinois, will hold its grand opening on June 9. According to the Edwardsville Intelligencer, the center will be open from Friday through Sunday after it opens. The building is the former West End Service Station at the corner of West and … Continue reading Route 66 Interpretive Center in Edwardsville sets grand opening for June 9

American Giants Museum to hold a soft opening on Memorial Day weekend

The American Giants Museum along Route 66 in Atlanta, Illinois, will hold a soft opening on Memorial Day weekend. Those details and others came in a news release Tuesday from the nonprofit Atlanta Betterment Fund, which is helping shepherd the project with museum creator Joel Baker, who for years has been a preservation advocate and … Continue reading American Giants Museum to hold a soft opening on Memorial Day weekend

New indoor mural is being painted in Galena Mining and History Museum

An artist is painting a mural inside the Galena Mining and History Museum in Galena, Kansas, and anticipates finishing it in about 10 days. According to KSNF-TV and museum director Linda Phipps, Sandra Pemberton's mural will depict Galena's railroad, mining and Route 66 history. Here's what Phipps said inspired the mural: “I was visiting my … Continue reading New indoor mural is being painted in Galena Mining and History Museum

Ike’s Chili in Tulsa participates in fundraiser for Will Rogers Museum renovations

The owner of the more-than-century-old Ike's Chili in Tulsa is donating a portion of its revenues to help pay for renovations at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in nearby Claremore. Len Wade, owner of the restaurant at 1503 E. 11th St. (aka Route 66), told News on 6 in Tulsa he's motivated to help the … Continue reading Ike’s Chili in Tulsa participates in fundraiser for Will Rogers Museum renovations

Plaque installed at Admiral Twin Drive-In to mark its role in “The Outsiders” movie

About 80 people watched the installation of a plaque Friday at the Admiral Twin Drive-In theatre in Tulsa to commemorate its use as a location in "The Outsiders" movie. The film also is marking the 40th anniversary of its release this year. That weekend, the Admiral Twin also screened "The Outsiders" and "Rumble Fish" -- … Continue reading Plaque installed at Admiral Twin Drive-In to mark its role in “The Outsiders” movie

Ruth Trew retires from Devil’s Rope Barbwire Museum after more than three decades

Ruth Trew, longtime treasurer and secretary of the Devil's Rope Barbwire Museum in McLean, Texas, recently retired after 32 years at the Route 66 landmark. Trew turns 90 years old today. She undoubtedly greeted thousands of tourists at the museum over the years. She also is known as the wife of Delbert Trew, who shepherded … Continue reading Ruth Trew retires from Devil’s Rope Barbwire Museum after more than three decades

Replica of old-time general store opens at National Route 66 Museum in Elk City

An old-fashioned general store museum recently opened at the National Route 66 Museum complex in Elk City, Oklahoma. KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City, as part of its ongoing "Is This a Great State or What" series, recently produced a segment about the faux store where nothing is for sale, but it can take visitors back a … Continue reading Replica of old-time general store opens at National Route 66 Museum in Elk City

Several Illinois Route 66 sites get state funds from tourism, transportation programs

Several spots on Route 66 in Illinois were among the 89 that will receive a total of $22.5 million from the state's Tourism Attractions and Festivals Grant program. Also, several Route 66 sites also received funds from the state's Transportation Enhancement Program. Here are the Route 66-related tourism recipients and the total grant: $25,187 to … Continue reading Several Illinois Route 66 sites get state funds from tourism, transportation programs