A 30-foot-tall "Big Ron" fiberglass figure was added Thursday under the big Route 66 shield near the entrance to Route 66 MotorHeads Bar & Grill, Museum and Entertainment Complex in Springfield, Illinois. The complex at 600 Toronto Road, in an old Stuckey's on an alignment of Route 66, already contains tons of Route 66 memorabilia … Continue reading 30-foot-tall “Big Ron” fiberglass statue added to Route 66 MotorHeads Bar & Grill in Springfield
Former Station 66 Airbnb site in Vega put up for sale
The Station 66 Airbnb site in Vega, Texas, that closed in late 2022 has been put on the market for $225,000. The former gas station at 719 Vega Blvd. (aka Route 66) owned by Karen Fangman operated as an Airbnb site for about 4 1/2 years to rave reviews. Fangman said at the time of … Continue reading Former Station 66 Airbnb site in Vega put up for sale
Blue Hole of Santa Rosa may partially reopen by this weekend
The mayor of Santa Rosa, New Mexico, said the city's landmark Blue Hole may partly reopen by this weekend after a wall collapse forced its closing in mid-June. According to a report in the Albuquerque Journal: Santa Rosa Mayor Nelson Kotiar told the Journal that barring any setbacks, the Blue Hole, which is owned by … Continue reading Blue Hole of Santa Rosa may partially reopen by this weekend
Four eateries on or near Route 66 win $50,000 Backing Historic Small Restaurants grants
Four eateries along or near Route 66 will receive $50,000 Backing Historic Small Restaurants grants from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express. The primarily Route 66-based recipients, announced Monday, are: La Cita Restaurant, Tucumcari, New Mexico Doc's Just Off 66, Girard, Illinois La Paloma Mexican Restaurant, La Verne, California A lesser-known fourth … Continue reading Four eateries on or near Route 66 win $50,000 Backing Historic Small Restaurants grants
Jerry McClanahan, the late Bunny Neff inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame
Longtime Route 66 artist and researcher Jerry McClanahan of Chandler, Oklahoma, was inducted Saturday into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton. The other inductee was the late Jeannette “Bunny” Neff of Sayre, Oklahoma, who advocated for Route 66 in the western part of the state for … Continue reading Jerry McClanahan, the late Bunny Neff inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame
Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla set to close in September
The historic Totem Pole Trading Post along Route 66 on the west side of Rolla, Missouri, will close in September after the retirement of longtime operator Tim Jones and his wife Alice. The State Historical Society of Missouri recently posted this reel of Jones on Facebook: The society stated: Tim's father bought the shop from … Continue reading Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla set to close in September
New Mexico accepting applications for Route 66 Centennial Grant Program
The New Mexico Tourism Department is currently taking applications through mid-August for its Route 66 Centennial Grant Program for marketing, special events and infrastructure projects. Applications for Infrastructure projects and special events track will be accepted through Aug. 19. Applications for cooperative marketing track will be accepted through Aug. 13. New Mexico Route 66 centennial projects … Continue reading New Mexico accepting applications for Route 66 Centennial Grant Program
Springfield tourism bureau takes a closer look at Guy Mace’s Route 66 Car Museum
The Springfield, Missouri, Convention and Visitors Bureau recently published an in-depth look at Guy Mace and his Route 66 Car Museum. Mace owns about 75 vintage and celebrity vehicles in the museum at 1634 W. College St. (aka Route 66) in Springfield. It opened in 2016. The article goes into Mace's origin story: The foundation … Continue reading Springfield tourism bureau takes a closer look at Guy Mace’s Route 66 Car Museum
The 25th anniversary of the Route 66 On the Air event is set for Sept. 7-15
"Route 66 On the Air" is marking its 25th anniversary, and the annual amateur radio event is set for Sept. 7-15. The event, sponsored by the Citrus Belt Amateur Radio Club, celebrates U.S. 66, which was established in 1926 and was the first major roadway improvement to link the West Coast with the nation’s heartland. Joining … Continue reading The 25th anniversary of the Route 66 On the Air event is set for Sept. 7-15
Owner and operator of Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Cafe in Victorville dies
Brian Gentry, the owner and operator of Emma Jean's Holland Burger Cafe along Route 66 in Victorville, California, has died. He was 58. According to a report in the Daily Press of Victorville, Gentry died peacefully on July 3. His life will be celebrated from 2 to 4 p.m. on Aug. 3, followed by a … Continue reading Owner and operator of Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Cafe in Victorville dies