A bill has been introduced in the Oklahoma Legislature that would end the expiration date of the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission and create a revolving loan fund for the highway. State Rep. Mark Lawson (R-Sapulpa), who also is House Majority Leader, introduced House Bill 1571 for the legislature's 60th session. He also wrote the bill … Continue reading New bill would create revolving loan fund for Route 66 in Oklahoma
Category: Preservation
Amarillo approves up to a $500,000 grant to restore three historic neon signs on Route 66
The Amarillo City Council accepted a grant of up to $500,000 from the Texas Historical Commission to restore three historic neon signs along that city's Route 66 corridor. Citizen Portal reports the signs in Amarillo earmarked for restoration are The Nat, Cattlemen's Club and Eastridge Lanes. More from the report: This funding is specifically earmarked … Continue reading Amarillo approves up to a $500,000 grant to restore three historic neon signs on Route 66
Oklahoma City approves funds to convert Gold Dome into a concert venue
The Oklahoma City Council this week approved $3 million in tax-increment financing money to help convert the iconic but long-closed Gold Dome bank building into a concert venue. According to The Oklahoman newspaper, the council voted 7-1 to make the money available through a loan to Mike Brown of Tulsa-based Kismet Koncerts. During a presentation … Continue reading Oklahoma City approves funds to convert Gold Dome into a concert venue
Groundbreaking set for Feb. 6 for Hydro Route 66 Bridge Monument
The chamber of commerce of Hydro, Oklahoma, recently announced a groundbreaking for the Route 66 Bridge Monument project. The event will be at 11 a.m. on Feb. 6, where old Route 66 intersects with Highway 58 on the south side of town. The town will relocate and restore a decommissioned Route 66 bridge at the … Continue reading Groundbreaking set for Feb. 6 for Hydro Route 66 Bridge Monument
Oklahoma City armory to become a concert venue instead of a hotel-brewery development
The historic armory building along Route 66 in Oklahoma City will become a concert venue instead after a plan to develop it into a hotel and microbrewery stalled. The Oklahoman newspaper reported that the new, $23 million project for the armory would be led by Oklahoma City investor Mark Fischer and Arkansas-based Beaty Capital Group, … Continue reading Oklahoma City armory to become a concert venue instead of a hotel-brewery development
Route 66 Mother Road Museum in Barstow will hold its reopening celebration on March 22
The closed Route 66 Mother Road Museum in Barstow, California, will hold a grand reopening celebration on March 22. The museum, located in a historic Harvey House complex on the city's north side, will be open that day at 10 a.m.., with the celebration tentatively scheduled for 11 a.m. After that, the museum will be … Continue reading Route 66 Mother Road Museum in Barstow will hold its reopening celebration on March 22
New owner of Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon promises no change in its look
The new owner of the Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri, promised the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society that the landmark motel's appearance would not change. Mark Bertel, founder and CEO of the Dels Corp., spoke via telephone to the society after high winds kept him from flying to Lebanon to attend its annual membership … Continue reading New owner of Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon promises no change in its look
El Camino Motor Hotel in north of Albuquerque goes up for sale
The historic El Camino Motor Hotel, located along the older alignment of Route 66 north of Albuquerque, has been placed on the market for $2.5 million. The motel actually is located in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, a small village north of Albuquerque. Albuquerque Business First (subscription required) reports the motel went on the market in … Continue reading El Camino Motor Hotel in north of Albuquerque goes up for sale
Restored neon sign installed at Rock Cafe in Stroud
The historic neon sign at the Rock Cafe in Stroud, Oklahoma, has a new glow after it was restored with a grant from the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission with the aid of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association. The sign dates to the 1940s and was re-installed a few days ago. https://youtu.be/M0OXCTtSGV0 And Rich Dinkela, president … Continue reading Restored neon sign installed at Rock Cafe in Stroud
Elmer Long’s son says he’ll “continue legacy” of Bottle Tree Ranch
Ellsworth Hayes, son of deceased Bottle Tree Ranch founder Elmer Long, a few days ago popped in at the Historic Route 66 group on Facebook to announce he would "continue his legacy" as the Route 66 landmark approaches its 25th anniversary. Hayes wrote: After he passed away from lung cancer In 2019, I basically went … Continue reading Elmer Long’s son says he’ll “continue legacy” of Bottle Tree Ranch