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: Towns
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
CNN Travel names Flagstaff one of America’s Best Towns to Visit in 2024
CNN Travel named the Route 66 town of Flagstaff, Arizona, one of the 10 America's Best Towns to Visit in 2024. Eschewing large metros, it looked at "smaller cities that aren’t already at the top of everyone’s travel list — places where you’ll often find small-town vibes and loads of personality as well as plenty … Continue reading CNN Travel names Flagstaff one of America’s Best Towns to Visit in 2024
Public art panel announces mural to highlight Baxter Springs history, including Route 66
The Public Art Committee of Baxter Springs, Kansas, announced a forthcoming public mural emphasizing the town's history, including Route 66. According to the Spring River Current and KSNF-TV, the mural will be funded by a $7,500 grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Office of Rural Development, with matching funds from the Ronald … Continue reading Public art panel announces mural to highlight Baxter Springs history, including Route 66
Tulsa officially earns “Capital of Route 66” title
Several towns along the Mother Road for years have claimed to be the "Capital of Route 66." But the City of Tulsa and the Tulsa Route 66 Commission ensured it isn't just an idle boast. After a lengthy process, Tulsa officially secured a federal copyright for "Capital of Route 66." According to KJRH-TV and other … Continue reading Tulsa officially earns “Capital of Route 66” title
Albert Okura’s son tries to keep his father’s dream alive at Amboy
A few days ago, the Los Angeles Times (via AOL) published a lengthy story about how the son of the late Albert Okura, owner of the Route 66 town of Amboy, California, is trying to keep that dream alive. The story by Alex Wigglesworth is worth reading in its entirety. But a few nuggets stand … Continue reading Albert Okura’s son tries to keep his father’s dream alive at Amboy
Study: Flagstaff is the most dog-friendly city in the U.S.
If you're traveling Route 66 and need a pet-friendly destination, you won't do better than Flagstaff, Arizona. The venerable Route 66 town not only is the best on the Mother Road, but in the entire country, according to a Blueprint study with USA Today. The study reviewed the per capita number of dog-friendly lodging establishments, … Continue reading Study: Flagstaff is the most dog-friendly city in the U.S.
Several Oklahoma organizations with Route 66 ties awarded preservation grants
The Oklahoma Historical Society awarded 37 entities a total of $520,000 in grants this year, including several with Route 66 ties. We mentioned yesterday the Totum Pole Park near Foyil received a $20,000 grant to help restore its Fiddle House. Here are the rest of them that are relevant to Route 66: Friends of the … Continue reading Several Oklahoma organizations with Route 66 ties awarded preservation grants
Water main breaks cause hardships in Village of Thayer
Repeated water main breaks in the original Route 66 town of Thayer, Illinois, are causing inconvenience or hardships to residents and businesses. According to a story from the State Journal-Register in nearby Springfield, Thayer (population 661) has seen five water main breaks in the last two weeks and 19 in the past year. The culprit … Continue reading Water main breaks cause hardships in Village of Thayer
1,000 wild burros in Oatman area will be relocated due to overpopulation
About 1,000 wild burros in Arizona's Black Mountain Herd Management Area will be relocated by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management -- about half of the herd -- because of overpopulation concerns. The Route 66 village of Oatman is right in the middle of the management area. The wild burros -- for many years a … Continue reading 1,000 wild burros in Oatman area will be relocated due to overpopulation