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

Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announces first Route 66 centennial celebration in 2026

The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway earlier this week announced a Route 66 centennial event in 2026 -- the first of many that will be scheduled that year. The byway's Statewide Conference and Centennial Celebration will take place on Nov. 11, 2026, at Route 66 Motorheads in Springfield, Illinois, it announced in a news release. "This momentous event … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announces first Route 66 centennial celebration in 2026

Camp Joy replica arch mostly completed in front of an original cabin at Lebanon park

Lettering for a Camp Joy replica archway in front of one of the former Route 66 tourist camp's original cabins was completed just before the new year at Boswell Park in Lebanon, Missouri. Joker Welding and Weld Supply of Lebanon attached the lettering. The only task remaining for the archway project is painting the back … Continue reading Camp Joy replica arch mostly completed in front of an original cabin at Lebanon park

Grand Canyon Caverns schedules grand reopening for tours on Feb. 1

Grand Canyon Caverns, hampered by an elevator mishap into the caverns two years ago, recently announced it would hold a grand reopening event for its tours on Feb. 1. The office manager for the caverns' marketing arm in an email also revealed other improvements at the Route 66 site: We are under new ownership/management and … Continue reading Grand Canyon Caverns schedules grand reopening for tours on Feb. 1

Request for proposals issued for cities that want to be Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off site

Towns along Route 66 are being asked to submit a proposal to be an official Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off Host City when the highway marks its 100th anniversary in 2026. The proposed kick-off date would be April 30, 2026 -- the day in 1926 that the number 66 was assigned as the official number for … Continue reading Request for proposals issued for cities that want to be Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off site

Missouri Route 66 Association acquires historic signs for future neon park

The Route 66 Association of Missouri announced Thursday it had acquired four neon signs -- including from the Ozark Court and La Casa Grande Motel -- for a future neon park development. Rich Dinkela, president of the association, bought the signs for $44,400 from the estate of St. Louis-area sign collector Greg Rhomberg so they … Continue reading Missouri Route 66 Association acquires historic signs for future neon park

Oklahoma Route 66 Association offering a centennial ornament for the holidays

The Oklahoma Route 66 Association recently announced it is offering a Route 66 centennial ornament for the Christmas holiday. You can find it here. It's 3 inches in diameter and is made of acrylic. Here's an image below: Perusing the websites of the eight other Route 66 associations, I could not find a Christmas ornament … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Association offering a centennial ornament for the holidays

Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program grants include Osterman Station

The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announced four cost-share grants for 2024, including to the Osterman Station in Peach Springs, Arizona, and the so-called Ski Slope House in Daggett, California. Here are the details of the grants from the Nation Park Service: -- Osterman Station rehabilitation, $30,000 grant, $30,000 cost-share match. In 1929, Swedish immigrant … Continue reading Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program grants include Osterman Station

Munger Moss Motel again sold again to Arkansas company that plans to restore it

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

Latest Route 66 Extraordinary Women Micro-Grants given to 10 recipients

The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership announced the 10 latest grant awards from its Extraordinary Women Micro-Grants Program. The 2024 round of the grant program was completed last month, with $2,000 awards to: Andrea Parson-Briley, Carterville, Missouri, for trolly renovations and a Route 66 mural at Supertam on 66. The project also seeks to provide … Continue reading Latest Route 66 Extraordinary Women Micro-Grants given to 10 recipients