The Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri, again has been sold to The Dels Corporation of Mountain Home, Arkansas, which states it plans to restore the property and its iconic neon sign. The Route 66 motel apparently was under contract to be sold to The Dels Corporation in early 2023, but a dispute between the … Continue reading Munger Moss Motel again sold again to Arkansas company that plans to restore it
Category: Preservation
New video series spotlights Route 66 revitalization efforts in Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Department of Commerce recently launched a new video series that touts the agency's efforts to revitalize Route 66 before the highway's centennial in 2026. In late 2023, the agency launched the Route 66 grants program, allowing communities to apply for funding for municipalities, nonprofits and government entities on Route 66. To date, 24 projects have … Continue reading New video series spotlights Route 66 revitalization efforts in Oklahoma
Joel Baker to appear at American Giants Museum on Nov. 2-3
The American Giants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois, announced Joel Baker of American Giants LLC will be the volunteer docent at the museum from 1 to 4 p.m. on Nov. 2 and from 10 a.m. to noon on Nov. 3. Baker, who lives in Colorado and doesn't get to Illinois often, also will speak at the … Continue reading Joel Baker to appear at American Giants Museum on Nov. 2-3
Historic military vehicle convoy will stop in Joplin on Oct. 16
The Military Vehicle Preservation Association Convoy Command will stop the morning of Oct. 16 in the Route 66 city of Joplin, Missouri, while on a monthlong, 2,500-mile journey on the Jefferson Highway. According to the Joplin Globe, the convoy of 40 vehicles will visit the old Joplin airport terminal on Missouri Highway 171 at Dennis … Continue reading Historic military vehicle convoy will stop in Joplin on Oct. 16
La Hacienda Motel in Albuquerque being converted into a food court, shopping center
La Hacienda Motel, which dates to the 1950s along Albuquerque's Route 66, is being converted into a food court and shopping center. Albuquerque Business First reported the property at 6214 Central Ave. (aka Route 66) will be rechristened as Hacienda Shopping Center and is expected to open by spring 2025. Karina Chavez, one of the … Continue reading La Hacienda Motel in Albuquerque being converted into a food court, shopping center
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
Donated paint from Benjamin Moore helps spruce up Galena Mining & Historical Museum
Paint donated by Benjamin Moore Paints through a National Trust for Historic Preservation program helped brighten up the Galena Mining and Historical Museum along Route 66 in Galena, Kansas. Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and new manager of the National Trust's Preserve Route 66 Initiative program, recently posted this video of … Continue reading Donated paint from Benjamin Moore helps spruce up Galena Mining & Historical Museum
CORE of McLean officially takes possession of village’s historic water tower
A historic preservation group based in the Route 66 town of McLean, Illinois, announced it has assumed ownership of the village's historic water tower after saving it from the wrecking ball. CORE of McLean stated on a Facebook post last week it officially took ownership of the water tower on Sept. 10. The organization stated … Continue reading CORE of McLean officially takes possession of village’s historic water tower
Nine new grants announced through Route 66 Black Experiences Program
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership announced nine projects through the Route 66 Black Experiences Grants program that were awarded $5,000 each. The 2024 recipients and the cities where they are based are: Choctaw Freedman Citizenship Footprints Inc. in Oklahoma City Black Business Alliance in Bloomington, Illinois Threatt Filling Station Foundation in Luther, Oklahoma Jack … Continue reading Nine new grants announced through Route 66 Black Experiences Program
Rainbow Bridge near Baxter Springs in line for funding to repaint it
One way or another, it appears the Marsh Arch Bridge, aka Rainbow Bridge, on old Route 66 near Baxter Springs, Kansas, will be repainted before the highway's centennial in 2026. According to the Galena Sentinel-Times, Gearhead Curios owner Aaron Perry and Machelle Smith of the Route 66 Association of Kansas recently approached the Cherokee County … Continue reading Rainbow Bridge near Baxter Springs in line for funding to repaint it