The Oklahoma Route 66 Passport, run by the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, recently announced it has added three new stops for the program. The new stops in the updated passport include: Cherokee Nation Anna Mitchell Cultural & Welcome Center in Vinita Circle Cinema in Tulsa Elk City Chamber of Commerce in Elk City The … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Passport program adds three new stops
New documentary released on HBO about the Oklahoma City bombing
HBO has released on its Max streaming platform a new documentary about the 1995 bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City, the worst act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history. "An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th" was released Tuesday. Here is the trailer: https://youtu.be/lZ1DlykhLAo?si=_u5SFCwq_IOLk8p4 Katie Couric, executive producer of the film and … Continue reading New documentary released on HBO about the Oklahoma City bombing
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
Totem Pole Park near Foyil lands new directors, $20,000 grant
The landmark Totem Pole Park near Foyil, Oklahoma, recently received new directors, plus a $20,000 grant to restore its Fiddle House. The Claremore Daily Progress reports Wes and Jennifer Cantwell are the park's new overseers, replacing the retiring David and Patsy Anderson after 14 years. The Cantwells grew up just a few miles from the … Continue reading Totem Pole Park near Foyil lands new directors, $20,000 grant
City of Chandler to build a park next to Route 66 Interpretive Center
The City of Chandler, Oklahoma, announced last week it would build a new park next to the Route 66 Interpretive Center, including a "66 Man" statue developed by resident and Route 66 artist Jerry McClanahan. The city stated in a Facebook post it had been awarded $650,000 from the state's Route 66 grant program for … Continue reading City of Chandler to build a park next to Route 66 Interpretive Center
Park Plaza Courts neon sign in St. Louis is relighted
The Park Plaza Courts motel neon sign along Route 66 in St. Louis was relighted for the first time in 50 years during a ceremony Saturday night. Here is a video from the scene by Rich Dinkela, president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri. More images from Route 66 enthusiast and author Joe Sonderman. … Continue reading Park Plaza Courts neon sign in St. Louis is relighted
Did another Blue Swallow Motel exist near Shamrock, Texas?
Many, many Route 66 enthusiasts know about the landmark Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico. Smithsonian Magazine once called the 1939 establishment "the last, best and friendliest of the old-time motels." But the Texas Old Route 66 Association recently went through the files of longtime Texas Route 66er Delbert Trew and found an intriguing … Continue reading Did another Blue Swallow Motel exist near Shamrock, Texas?
Pony Bridge to reopen to traffic the evening of May 10
The landmark Pony Bridge near Bridgeport, Oklahoma, is hosting a reopening celebration from 3 to 5 p.m. on May 10, with vehicular traffic being allowed to cross shortly after 5. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association had the details about the party: The gathering starts at 3:00 with music, food, and tours from the Oklahoma Department … Continue reading Pony Bridge to reopen to traffic the evening of May 10
Former Pour Richard’s in Odell now is Hobart’s on Tremont restaurant
Longtime roadies may remember the Pour Richard's restaurant and bar in downtown Odell, Illinois, a hangout for tourists after they checked out the landmark Odell Station and the former pedestrian tunnel under Route 66 in town. It's now the Hobart's on Tremont establishment, according to a story in the Bloomington Pantagraph. Because it's in a … Continue reading Former Pour Richard’s in Odell now is Hobart’s on Tremont restaurant
Progressively warmer winters affect harvest at Funks Grove Maple Sirup
CBS News in Chicago recently did a story about Funks Grove Maple Sirup in Shirley, Illinois, and how repeatedly warmer winters are shortening the sap flow of the family farm's maple trees. The gist is that climate change definitely is affecting Funks Grove's annual harvest. https://youtu.be/N6OKuhKXwZA?si=mBzoSoN9uBL6hNwy Funks Grove tends to sell out of its maple … Continue reading Progressively warmer winters affect harvest at Funks Grove Maple Sirup