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
Category: Preservation
Blue Hole in Santa Rosa to reopen on Aug. 30 for scuba and free diving
The landmark Blue Hole in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, will reopen on Aug. 30 for scuba diving and free diving after an underwater wall collapse prompted its closing for weeks. The City of Santa Rosa on Monday announced on Facebook the forthcoming reopening of diving at the site. The Blue Hole reopened to swimmers on … Continue reading Blue Hole in Santa Rosa to reopen on Aug. 30 for scuba and free diving
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
Train added to Red Oak II complex near Carthage
Fulfilling the dreams of its late founder, a small train recently was added near the replica railroad depot at the famed Red Oak II complex near Carthage, Missouri. According to the Joplin Globe, Larry Sernyk, who owns several buildings in Red Oak II and also lives there, worked with a crew to install the train … Continue reading Train added to Red Oak II complex near Carthage
Spencer’s Grill in Kirkwood lands new owners, likely will reopen on Nov. 1
Two local restaurateurs and a local investor have acquired the historic Spencer's Grill in Kirkwood, Missouri, and they plan to reopen the Route 66 restaurant on Nov. 1. According to St. Louis Magazine, Michael and Meredith Shadwick, the owners of Kirkwood-based Honey Bee’s Biscuits + Good Eats and Tropical Moose Shaved Ice, along with Kirkwood resident Michael Kleckner, … Continue reading Spencer’s Grill in Kirkwood lands new owners, likely will reopen on Nov. 1
Rhys Martin becomes manager of National Trust’s Preserve Route 66 Initiative
The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced that Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin joined the National Trust as manager of the Preserve Route 66 Initiative last month. Martin, who hails from Tulsa, joins Amy Webb, who leads the Preserve Route 66 Initiative’s cross-Trust team. The initiative provides preservation grants, assistance and advocacy to help … Continue reading Rhys Martin becomes manager of National Trust’s Preserve Route 66 Initiative
New video details the changes on Route 66 between 2007 and 2024
Route 66 enthusiast Mike Curtis, aka 2 Lane Traveler on YouTube, recently created a 20-minute video detailing the changes on the Mother Road from 2007 to 2024. The video thumbnail comes with a provocative question: "Thriving or dying?" (Spoiler alert: Definitely not dying; Curtis asserts the old road is simply changing.) https://youtu.be/qpNoshXr-bY?si=_dsqhgfTLccLQgKs The video is … Continue reading New video details the changes on Route 66 between 2007 and 2024
Preservation team repairs Wash Lady, Loretta’s Burrito Hut neon signs in Tucumcari
Larry Plath and Johnnie Meier of the New Mexico Route 66 Preservation Team recently repaired neon tubing for the so-called "Wash Lady" at Boulevard Cleaners and Loretta's Burrito Hut, both along Route 66 in Tucumcari, New Mexico. The duo also began repairing the tubing on the Odeon Theatre in Tucumcari, which isn't on Route 66 … Continue reading Preservation team repairs Wash Lady, Loretta’s Burrito Hut neon signs in Tucumcari
Lights on at the It’s Electric Neon Sign Park in Granite City
Local officials flipped the switch Thursday night at the new It's Electric Neon Sign Park just off Route 66 in Granite City, Illinois. According to Riverbender.com, the park at 19th Street and Delmar Avenue was funded by a $500,000 grant from the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau and the Illinois Office of Tourism to … Continue reading Lights on at the It’s Electric Neon Sign Park in Granite City
Four eateries on or near Route 66 win $50,000 Backing Historic Small Restaurants grants
Four eateries along or near Route 66 will receive $50,000 Backing Historic Small Restaurants grants from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express. The primarily Route 66-based recipients, announced Monday, are: La Cita Restaurant, Tucumcari, New Mexico Doc's Just Off 66, Girard, Illinois La Paloma Mexican Restaurant, La Verne, California A lesser-known fourth … Continue reading Four eateries on or near Route 66 win $50,000 Backing Historic Small Restaurants grants