A new Oklahoma Route 66 centennial monument was installed last week in Oklahoma City along Northwest 23rd Street, a prominent alignment of Route 66 in the city. Mayor David Holt stated in several posts on social media that the sign is one of several that will be installed in the city. The new sign is … Continue reading New Oklahoma Route 66 centennial monument unveiled in Oklahoma City
Albuquerque police close Tewa Lodge; owner says he’ll consider buyout offer
The City of Albuquerque last month closed the crime-ridden Tewa Lodge. Still, the owner said he'll consider a buyout offer of the motel, including from the city or a private developer. Several Albuquerque news outlets reported on the Route 66 motel's closure after an official-involved shooting there. In addition to rampant crime there, reports also … Continue reading Albuquerque police close Tewa Lodge; owner says he’ll consider buyout offer
Man who’s revived Biti Pies in Amarillo wants to expand its reach on Route 66 corridor
The man who has revived Biti Pies in Amarillo, Texas, says he wants to expand the brand's production along the entire length of Route 66's 2,400-mile corridor. According to a lengthy story by the Amarillo Globe-News, Antonio Charles revived Biti Pies after the company's three-year hiatus, including its so-called Maryland House just of the Sixth … Continue reading Man who’s revived Biti Pies in Amarillo wants to expand its reach on Route 66 corridor
Gemini Giant returns to Wilmington with a big welcome-home bash
The Gemini Giant fiberglass statue, which once stood at the closed Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant, returned to Wilmington, Illinois, when it was dedicated Saturday at its new location at South Island Park. The event featured live music, a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, a mobile diner and commemorative memorabilia. The 28-foot-tall Gemini Giant returned to Wilmington with a … Continue reading Gemini Giant returns to Wilmington with a big welcome-home bash
Oklahoma Route 66 Association offering a centennial ornament for the holidays
The Oklahoma Route 66 Association recently announced it is offering a Route 66 centennial ornament for the Christmas holiday. You can find it here. It's 3 inches in diameter and is made of acrylic. Here's an image below: Perusing the websites of the eight other Route 66 associations, I could not find a Christmas ornament … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Association offering a centennial ornament for the holidays
Grant helps give a retro-styled sign for Old Tascosa Brewing Co. in Amarillo
Thanks to a Business Improvement Grant, or BIG, from the City of Amarillo, Texas, the Old Tascosa Brewing Co. recently installed a retro-styled sign in front of its brewery. The sign doesn't have neon, but the chasing lights and big arrow hearken to another era. The Old Tascosa Brewing Co. sits in the middle of … Continue reading Grant helps give a retro-styled sign for Old Tascosa Brewing Co. in Amarillo
Former Hotel Blue in Albuquerque expected to reopen in early 2025
The former Hotel Blue in downtown Albuquerque is expected to reopen in the first quarter of 2025 after renovations. According to Albuquerque Business First (subscription required), the hotel at Central Avenue (aka Route 66) and Eighth Street will be rechristened as Arrive Albuquerque. Los Angeles-based Palisociety is developing it. The Arrive Albuquerque project was announced … Continue reading Former Hotel Blue in Albuquerque expected to reopen in early 2025
New historical marker recognizes El Reno’s fried onion burger heritage
A new “Hungry for History” historic marker recently was planted in El Reno, Oklahoma, that recognizes the city's heritage as the birthplace of the fried onion burger. The marker, facilitated by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, was placed at the northeast corner of Wade Street and Choctaw Avenue, which also is Route 66, in El … Continue reading New historical marker recognizes El Reno’s fried onion burger heritage
Ground broken for The Table restaurant at long-closed flour mill in Springfield
Two sisters recently held a ceremonial groundbreaking for a restaurant that will be built at a century-old flour mill in Springfield, Missouri, that's been closed for more than 50 years. Sheri Perkins and Renee Textor moved shovels of dirt to begin construction for The Table at 610 N. Prospect Ave., near the intersection of Chestnut … Continue reading Ground broken for The Table restaurant at long-closed flour mill in Springfield
Op-ed urges land that includes La Bajada Hill be declared a national monument
We usually don't feature letters to the editor from newspapers. But this one recently published in the Santa Fe New Mexican is intriguing enough to take a closer look. Andrew Black wrote that President Joe Biden and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, in the final days of their administrations, ought to declare the 106,000-acre Caja del … Continue reading Op-ed urges land that includes La Bajada Hill be declared a national monument