Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records, with the University of Arizona Libraries, recently landed a $319,588 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to digitize 100,000 pages of historical Arizona newspapers, especially along Route 66. According to Hoodline.com: In anticipation of Route 66's centennial in 2026, the project has set its sights on … Continue reading Arizona Libraries receives grant to digitize old newspapers along Route 66 corridor
Red Oak II owner plans to preserve historic La Grange School near Carthage
The owner of the Red Oak II complex near Carthage, Missouri, acquired the historic La Grange School and said plans to preserve the building that dates to the 1860s. The Joplin Globe reported Red Oak II owner Larry Syrnek bought the school and its one acre of land for $35,000 from a farmer who had … Continue reading Red Oak II owner plans to preserve historic La Grange School near Carthage
Big A the Texaco Giant installed at Gearhead Curios in Galena
Big A the Texaco Giant, a specially commissioned 21-foot-tall fiberglass figure, was successfully installed Sunday at Gearhead Curios in Galena, Kansas. The giant, colloquially called a Muffler Man, was installed by ReGiant at the former Texaco station at 520 S. Main St. (Route 66). Here are a bunch of photos or videos from the event: … Continue reading Big A the Texaco Giant installed at Gearhead Curios in Galena
Tulsa Route 66 Neon Sign Grant Program hits five-year mark
The Route 66 Neon Sign Grant Program in Tulsa recently marked the fifth anniversary since the first sign restored by the program was delighted. Susan Yates, a resident of the area, on Facebook took note of the five-year mark since the sign at Billy Ray's BBQ & Catfish restaurant in west Tulsa was restored. You … Continue reading Tulsa Route 66 Neon Sign Grant Program hits five-year mark
Panel seeks to remodel Ilfeld-Johnson Warehouse, apply for Route 66 grant to boost Santa Rosa
The Guadalupe County Development Corporation's board plans $730,000 in renovations for the historic Ilfield-Johnson Warehouse in downtown Santa Rosa, New Mexico. Local officials also are applying for a grant from the New Mexico Route 66 Centennial Grant Program to improve business facades along Route 66. Longtime Route 66 News readers probably remember previous efforts to … Continue reading Panel seeks to remodel Ilfeld-Johnson Warehouse, apply for Route 66 grant to boost Santa Rosa
Route 66 closes at Wellston for about a year; shorter detour is available for regular vehicles
Route 66 in Wellston, Oklahoma, is closed for about a year due to an overpass replacement on nearby Interstate 44, but a shorter detour will be available for regular vehicles. According to Roads & Bridges, the $48 million project that began Tuesday aims to widen a section of the Turner Turnpike (aka I-44) from four … Continue reading Route 66 closes at Wellston for about a year; shorter detour is available for regular vehicles
United States ranks as a top-five country for car enthusiasts, thanks in part to Route 66
The California law firm Javaheri & Yahoudai recently conducted a study that ranks which of the countries in the world are the best for car enthusiasts. The good ol' USA didn't rank No. 1 (Canada grabbed the top spot). But it did finish fourth in the study. ' According to CarBuzz.com, the ranking criteria were … Continue reading United States ranks as a top-five country for car enthusiasts, thanks in part to Route 66
Are Muffler Men undergoing a big revival?
The short answer is yes. The Chicago Tribune a few days ago took a look at what one Route 66 advocate, Bill Thomas, called "a bit of a Renaissance" for the fiberglass giants, colloquially known as Muffler Men. The Muffler Men, made primarily by International Fiberglass in Venice, California, during the 1960s to the mid-1970s, … Continue reading Are Muffler Men undergoing a big revival?
Proposed 21-foot-tall statue near Tulsa’s Route 66 prompts some backlash
A proposed 21-foot-tall statue on Cry Baby Hill near Route 66 in Tulsa has sparked some backlash from residents, ranging from the figure itself to an out-of-state artist being selected for the project. The statue is set to be built before Route 66's centennial in 2026 on the hill at 815 S. Riverside Drive. That's … Continue reading Proposed 21-foot-tall statue near Tulsa’s Route 66 prompts some backlash
Great Route 66 Centennial Convergence set for Santa Monica Pier on April 2026
The centennial year of Route 66 is still well over a year away, but an event called the Great Route66 Centennial Convergence has been scheduled for April 30, 2026, at the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California. Social media influencer John Binns of Australia, with the handle of Wasteland Firebird, is organizing the event. … Continue reading Great Route 66 Centennial Convergence set for Santa Monica Pier on April 2026