The historic but long-closed Casa Grande Hotel building in Elk City, Oklahoma, appears to be seeing some improvements after years of standing idle. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association had the scoop: “The plan is to first secure the building by replacing the upper story windows on three sides,” said Don Mullenix, local preservationist. After that, … Continue reading Casa Grande Hotel building in Elk City finally seeing some upgrades
Category: Route 66 Associations
Tulsa’s Neon Sign Grant Program completes 66th sign
The City of Tulsa's Route 66 Neon Sign Grant Program recently completed its 66th sign along the Mother Road. According to the Tulsa Route 66 Commission, the latest sign was Hillcrest Medical Center at Utica Avenue and 11th Street (aka Route 66). Hillcrest posted a video of the sign installation: Here's a local TV station's … Continue reading Tulsa’s Neon Sign Grant Program completes 66th sign
Fast TV Network’s “Legends of Route 66” lands “Official Route 66 Centennial Project” designation
The seventh season of Fast TV Network’s "Legends of Route 66" has been recommended as an "Official Route 66 Centennial Project." Commission member Bill Thomas stated in the letter to the network: “Congratulations, Fast TV Network's Legends of Route 66 Centennial Season Seven project has been recommended by the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission as … Continue reading Fast TV Network’s “Legends of Route 66” lands “Official Route 66 Centennial Project” designation
Longtime Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program director resigns; grants suspended
Kaisa Barthuli, a director for the National Park Service's Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program for more than two decades, stepped down last week, and its grant program has been suspended. Barthuli sent an email on March 8, stating that with "sadness and deep gratitude" she was "leaving federal service" that day. Barely a week before, … Continue reading Longtime Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program director resigns; grants suspended
AP travel writer lists 14 inspirational woman of Route 66
Sage Scott, a syndicated travel writer for the Associated Press, recently published a list of 14 women who helped build or preserve the mythos of Route 66. "If you listen closely along Route 66, you can hear stories of great women echo through the kitchens of roadside diners, the front desks of family-run motels and … Continue reading AP travel writer lists 14 inspirational woman of Route 66
First sign goes up in Stroud for ambitious Route 66 neon project
The first of 45 new neon signs coming to Route 66 in Stroud, Oklahoma, was recently installed as part of the town's forthcoming Route 66 centennial celebration. Here's what the new sign looks like at night: Charles Palmer, one of the movers and shakers for the Stroud Route 66 neon project, told Route 66 News … Continue reading First sign goes up in Stroud for ambitious Route 66 neon project
State of Oklahoma issues new state map that commemorates Route 66
Last week, the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission announced the launch of a Route 66 commemorative map for the Sooner State. Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who also leads the state's tourism agency and is a big proponent of Route 66, attended a news conference at the state Capitol to promote the 2025-2026 map. The maps … Continue reading State of Oklahoma issues new state map that commemorates Route 66
Plans unveiled for Route 66 Research Center at UNM in Albuquerque
An award-winning architect recently unveiled plans for the federally funded Route 66 Research Center at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. The center, part of UNM's library system and its Center for Southwest Research, will be housed in a former Cadillac dealership. Architect Mark Baker is behind the plans. Among his numerous award-winning projects … Continue reading Plans unveiled for Route 66 Research Center at UNM in Albuquerque
County receives $25,000 grant to repaint Rainbow Bridge near Riverton
Cherokee County, Kansas, recently received a $25,000 Attraction Development grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce to help repaint the Rainbow Bridge, aka the Marsh Arch Bridge, near Riverton. According to the Route 66 Association of Kansas, Gearhead Curios owner and association Vice President Aaron Perry and association newsletter editor Machelle Smith approached the county … Continue reading County receives $25,000 grant to repaint Rainbow Bridge near Riverton
National Trust announces latest round of Preserve Route 66 grant recipients
The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced its latest grants from its Preserve Route 66 program totaling $135,835. Among the grants awarded are preservation work on an Albuquerque building where Microsoft started, funds to pursue a National Register of Historic Places listing for the Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri, and an educational program about … Continue reading National Trust announces latest round of Preserve Route 66 grant recipients