Buck’s Cosmic Crash Pad in Tulsa will be converted to Buck’s Vintage Shop next month

Buck’s Cosmic Crash Pad, an Airbnb site for three years in Tulsa directly behind Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66, will be converted to Buck’s Vintage Shop in June. Buck's owner Mary Beth Babcock made the announcement in a social media post on Tuesday: In a discussion thread, Babcock said the new venture would offer … Continue reading Buck’s Cosmic Crash Pad in Tulsa will be converted to Buck’s Vintage Shop next month

Illinois awards $6.6M in Route 66 and tourism marketing grants

The governor of Illinois and the state's Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced last week it would give 58 awards totaling $6.6 million through the Route 66 and Tourism Marketing Grant Programs to boost Route 66 tourism. The Route 66 grant program is awarding $3.7 million to seven recipients for the development of tourism, … Continue reading Illinois awards $6.6M in Route 66 and tourism marketing grants

City of Amarillo throwing a party to commemorate Route 66-themed water tower

The City of Amarillo is holding a "Route 66 Water Tower Celebration" on Wednesday morning to commemorate the new Route 66-themed paint job on its large water tower just off Sixth Avenue. According to a news release from the city, the party will be at 9 a.m. at Smitty's Food Park at 3913 Sixth Ave. … Continue reading City of Amarillo throwing a party to commemorate Route 66-themed water tower

About 200 attend relighting of neon sign of Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita

Approximately 200 gathered Saturday evening to view a relighting ceremony for the neon sign of the Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita, Oklahoma. It was the first time in about 30 years the sign experienced a glow from its neon tubing. Tom Schwartz, who built the Route 66 restaurant and its sign in 1963, threw the switch … Continue reading About 200 attend relighting of neon sign of Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita

Neon signs from Westward Hotel of St. Louis installed at Transportation Museum

Restored neon signs from the long-defunct Westward Hotel in St. Louis recently were installed in the National Museum of Transportation. A brief video of the signs was posted on the Tumblr account of museum director Terri McEachern. A screenshot: The installation is inside the Earl C. Lindburg Automobile Center. The Westward Hotel, which operated from … Continue reading Neon signs from Westward Hotel of St. Louis installed at Transportation Museum

Staff, management shake-up hits Tower Theatre in Oklahoma City

The historic Tower Theatre along Route 66 in Oklahoma City recently saw layoffs and a big management shake-up. The Lost Ogle, an OKC-based website that has broken a number of big stories over the years, reported at least nine people at the theater were laid off, others were forced to reapply for their jobs, and … Continue reading Staff, management shake-up hits Tower Theatre in Oklahoma City

New Route 66 emblem emerges on Amarillo water tower

A long-planned Amarillo Route 66 emblem recently emerged on one of the city's large water towers located just off the Mother Road. Dora Meroney of Texas Ivy Antiques has posted a number of photos of the emblem on the tower, which is undergoing repainting: The Amarillo Route 66 water tower even has its own Facebook … Continue reading New Route 66 emblem emerges on Amarillo water tower

City of Amarillo begins repainting water tower that will sport a Route 66 emblem

The City of Amarillo recently began repainting a water tower that will include a special Route 66 emblem, probably by early spring. KFDA-TV reported about the project last week: “You really don’t know if you’re on Route 66, unless you’re seeing those brown Route 66 signs that are pretty spread out. Having these markers will … Continue reading City of Amarillo begins repainting water tower that will sport a Route 66 emblem

Giant guitar added to the side of Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet

Gigantar, a 24-foot-long guitar that was fashioned for the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in downtown Joliet, was installed and later dedicated during a lighting ceremony attended by hundreds of people on Friday evening despite near-freezing temperatures. Cheap Trick guitarist and co-founder Rick Nielsen, a member of both the Illinois Rock & … Continue reading Giant guitar added to the side of Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet

Tulsa Route 66 Commission launches a grant program for events

The Tulsa Route 66 Commission, citing the success of the city's neon-sign grant program, recently announced it would launch a similar grant program for special events. The commission stated in a Facebook post the new program is designed to "encourage heritage tourism and economic development through special Route 66 events and to help Tulsa prepare … Continue reading Tulsa Route 66 Commission launches a grant program for events