Two Albuquerque city councilors have introduced a resolution to earmark $250,000 to improve the city's 18 miles of Route 66, including the rehabilitation of iconic signs. City councilors Klarissa Pena and Renee Grout have sponsored the resolution. Rachael Hernandez, an aide to Pena, stated in an email the resolution first will go to the city's … Continue reading Albuquerque officials sponsor a resolution to give $250,000 to improve Route 66
Category: Towns
City of Wildwood wants a Route 66 roadside park before highway’s centennial
A historic preservation commission for the City of Wildwood, Missouri, wants to build a Route 66 roadside park before the centennial of the historic highway in 2026. West Newsmagazine reported some details about the commission's efforts to capitalize on the Mother Road: The Historic Preservation Commission has proposed to establish a Historic Route 66 Roadside … Continue reading City of Wildwood wants a Route 66 roadside park before highway’s centennial
Bridge failure closes Route 66 indefinitely from Ludlow to Amboy
More bridges on Route 66 apparently have failed in recent days east of Ludlow, California, closing the historic highway to the hamlet of Amboy, California. That's on top of the closed portion of Route 66 from Essex, California, to Amboy. That leaves no direct Route 66 access to Amboy the east and west of the … Continue reading Bridge failure closes Route 66 indefinitely from Ludlow to Amboy
Travelers should avoid Las Vegas, N.M., for now due to wildfires
Route 66 travelers who want to take a short side trip to Las Vegas, New Mexico, from the Santa Fe Loop had better change plans for at least a few days. A wildfire of nearly 140,000 acres around Las Vegas has prompted evacuations on the west side of the city and briefly jeopardized its water-treatment … Continue reading Travelers should avoid Las Vegas, N.M., for now due to wildfires
Book review: ‘Tucumcari Tonite!’
There's a moment early in David Stratton's new book, "Tucumcari Tonight" (Amazon link), that signals this isn't going to be a dull history tome. In the introduction, the author, who was 95 years old when the University of New Mexico Press published the book earlier this month, recalls his personal memories of the first owners … Continue reading Book review: ‘Tucumcari Tonite!’
Sapulpa plans a pedestrian-friendly Alley District off Route 66, a Rock Creek Park
The city of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, is planning a downtown Alley District designed for pedestrians off Route 66 and also a Route 66 Rock Creek Park near the historic bridge. According to an earlier story by the Sapulpa Times, a downtown alley between Dewey, Lee and Hobson streets would be converted into a new pedestrian and … Continue reading Sapulpa plans a pedestrian-friendly Alley District off Route 66, a Rock Creek Park
Birthplace of Route 66 Festival expanding to three days in its return from COVID-19
The Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield, Missouri, is expanding from two to three days this summer after returning for the first time since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year's festival -- the 10th -- is slated for Aug. 11-13. According to OzarksFirst.com, organizers hope to draw 70,000 to 75,000 people to … Continue reading Birthplace of Route 66 Festival expanding to three days in its return from COVID-19
Coffee shop, gift shop and possible motel planned at Longhorn Cafe and Motel in Glenrio
The Route 66 ghost town of Glenrio at the Texas-New Mexico border suddenly is showing life again for the first time in more than 40 years. Glenrio Properties bought land on both sides of the border in the town and plan to build a coffee shop, gift shop, RV park and possibly a motel using … Continue reading Coffee shop, gift shop and possible motel planned at Longhorn Cafe and Motel in Glenrio
1939 newspaper article shows one big reason Tucumcari became a neon-sign haven
Tucumcari, New Mexico, never was a huge town. Its population never surpassed 9,000, according to the U.S. Census records. Regardless, Tucumcari during its heyday was home to dozens of neon signs, especially along its Route 66 corridor. Even now, about 25 neon signs still exist along the historic highway, in various states of repair. Several … Continue reading 1939 newspaper article shows one big reason Tucumcari became a neon-sign haven
Carlinville beefs up facade grant program partly due to coming Route 66 centennial
The City of Carlinville, Illinois, is doubling the amount of money available in its facade grant program because it wants its historic downtown to look good during Route 66's centennial in 2026. The Journal-Courier reports the city usually sets aside $10,000 for the program, but it is doubling it for the 2022-2023 fiscal year by … Continue reading Carlinville beefs up facade grant program partly due to coming Route 66 centennial